Over the centuries four ethnic groups have coalesced out of the dozens of interrelated peoples that formerly inhabited North Sulawesi. The name of four ethnic groups parallel the names of the province�s districts, i.e.: Bolaang Mongondow, Gorontalo, Sangihe Talaud and Minahasan. Eventhough �Bahasa Indonesia� is spoken as a National Language, in practice people of the four tribes inhabited this region still recognize and identity local groups and sub groups, distinguished mainly by language or dialect according to their background as follows:
Bolaang Mongondow Language group:
- Mongondow - Lolak - Bintauna
- Boroko/Bolangitang - Bolango - Bantik Mongondow
Gorontalo Language group :
- Gorontalo - Suwawa (Bone) - Atinggola
Sangihe Talaud Language Group:
- Talaud (Talaur) - Sanger Besar - Siau
Minahasan Language Group:
- Tombulu - Tonsea - Tolour - Tountemboan -Tounsawang
- Pasan Ratahan - Ponosakan Belang - Bantik Minahasa
