tradition | culture | arts | belief

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culture | arts | beliefs
THE MUSLIM OF THE PHILIPPINES tr
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tradition | culture | arts | belie di
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THE BADJAO CHILDREN

Wonders of the Philippines

tradition | culture | arts | beliefs
 EDITOR'S NOTE
ON AWARDS IN PRESERVING THE LIVES OF THE
KATUTUBO
"Preservation of Life is the only true joy"
Albert Schweitzer

It has been the Latlika's life works to help and protect our fellow indigenous
people here in the Philippines more specifically our fellow Muslims. It is
undeniable that the diverse lives of our Muslim people here in the Philippines
has been a victim of discrimination, poverty, and other societal issues. As a
result, a group of renowned food scientists utilized their growth in research and
development to not only protect but also to innovate the existing technology
that our Muslim possess these days.

Latlika (Lakbay Aral Tungo sa Ligtas na Katutubo) have evolved from simple
organization to what we know the most renowned academic-research
organizations that helped many lives in the past. We helped in promulgate the
power of Angat Buhay foundation. Our project in the recent years has been
successfully bring smiles to the faces of our fellow Muslim people. We provided
shelters, aid on their agriculture, help in their education, and most importantly
to help them catch up to the advancements of Philippine tech.

In recent years, we notice how the inevitable growth of technology has affected
the people's minds to be engaged in social medias rather than written artworks.
We prioritized the thought of teaching our fellow people that is why we
produced this magazine to not only make it available in the market but also to
provide digital copy for everyone to indulge the beauty of our Muslim people.
This magazine aim to share the underneath beauty of the Maranaos, Tausugs,
and Badjao. This is to combat the existing discrimination that is happening in
our community and also to promote the arts, crafts, products, etc. of our fellow
muslim people.

As for the success of this magazine, we have strong faith to the Filipino peoples
to preserve the lives of our Indigenous people, help them persevere and
rehabilitate for the next generations to come.

Jacqueline Pabalate Froison Kenneth Pulido

Senior Editors 1
 MAISUG | CONTENTS

C O N T E N T S
2 INTRODUCTION 18 BADJAO
19 Man of the Sea
5 MARANAO 20 A Walk To Their Life Art
6 Not just old, but ancient 21 Embroidery
7 The Legendary Bird of Good Fortune 22 Lepa, Lipa, and Lepa - Lepa
To see is to believed!
23 Grave Markers
8 The timeless beauty of Maranao’s art.

24 Beyond Their Life: A More
The Artisan art land.
Pualas & the Masters of the Loom Fascinating Than Arts

9 The Largest Manufacturers of Brassware

When art meets music!
25 CONCLUSION
The 1300 years kind of government. Ecology and Biodiversity
10 Song of the Ages 26 Lake Lanao Threats and Resolution
Maranao’s Disturbing tradition. 27 The Feared Gem of the Philippines
The Last Tribe of Mindanao 28 TRIVIA TIME
11 TAUSUG
29 WRITERS AND RESEARCHERS
12 People of the Current / Sea Current
Salaam Alaykum
Religious Beliefs
13 The Uniqueness
Crafting your Curiosity
There is no better deliverance from the
world than through art
14 Your local skilled craftsmanship
Music speaks to the heart in ways words
cannot express.
The Land of Tausug Tribes
15 An open organization of Tausug
16 Political Viewpoints
Marriage is a marriage- love or arranged
17 Home Sweet Home
Dress Code

2
 MAISUG | INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION
The Philippines' Muslim community was
once a major influence in the country.
They have a 500-year political history,
making them the Philippines' most
experienced political organization.

500-YEAR
POLITICAL HISTORY The chieftains of
Sulu, from The
Philippine Islands
(c. 1899)

Adat and Islam coexist in their culture. Adat includes pre-

Islamic culture as well as Muslims' philosophical interpretations
of Islam's principles. It is the Filipino Muslims' long-term political
contribution to the country. However, in order to know Muslim
history, one must first comprehend Islam's role in historical
development.

CULTURAL BELIEFS

adat islam 3
 MAISUG | INTRODUCTION

Because their culture has survived foreign hegemony to this day,

Filipino Muslims have become recognized as cultural communities.

unifying islamic culture

One of their major means for being united is the Quran which
considered by all Muslims as the words of Allah (God), revealed to
the prophet Muhammad through archangel Gabriel, and as the
source of all Islamic Law, principles and values.

common governance and customs

Since the times of the Sultanates of Maguindanao and Sulu, Islam
has had the most significant effect on Moro cultures. Mosques of
diverse sizes and shapes may be found across the region. Alcohol
intake must be avoided at all costs, and adultery is forbidden under
Islamic law. Pig and pork byproducts are strictly prohibited. In Islam,
fasting during Ramadan and giving charity to the destitute are
required. One of the five pillars of Islam, the Hajj, is also a key duty.

This Islam was responsible

for the courageous
resistance against western
colonization 4
 MAISUG | MARANAO

Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2019

Leren Bautista

Maranao Princess Costume

The Maranao Princess Costume is made
from silk or cotton. The garments are
ornate, decorated with metallic threads
embroidery, sequins, pearls, and long
beads.

MARANAO PEOPLE OF THE LAKE

5
 MAISUG | MARANAO

"NOT JUST OLD,

BUT ANCIENT"
L ake Lanao is the largest lake in Mindanao and it also falls as the second
largest lake in the Philippines. It is believe that lake Lanao is 2 millions years old
so that it is considered as one of the 15 ancient lakes in the world. The Maranao
tribe use this as their home and become the source of their livelihood. In
addition to that, Lake Lanao became the foundation of their beliefs, spirituality,
and even mythology.

6
 MAISUG | MARANAO

The Legendary Bird

of Good Fortune
Sarimanok is part of the Philippine
mythology where it was normally
characterized by its physical
appearance that is colorful wings and
flamboyant feathered tail, and often
holds a fish in its beak or talons. The
name of it come from “Sari” means
variety or assorted and “manok” which
basically means rooster or chicken.

Maranaos believe to a
superstitions called “Tonong”
who lives in lakes and other
places, so that they tend to
drop metallic coins or objects in
lake or big rivers They also
believes on witches, “nonok”
which is a tree that inhabitant
by spirits, and “kokok” that can
get people confused on road by
making you see repetitive
destination.
7
 MAISUG | MARANAO

In making art, Maranao's kept their ancestor practices. Every side

of Lanao del Sur will give us reminder about how art thrives amidst its
episodes of struggles. This vibrant art scene even existed before the
Muslim missionaries came in Lanao in the 15th century which proves
that the art of Maranao is timeless even it was past from generation
to generation.

Tugaya is a lakeshore community where Maranao craftsmen and artisan lived by. Those artist
specializes various form of arts or crafts which are part of traditional Maranao culture such as back-
strap loom weaving, tapestry weaving, and other kinds of handmade textile manufacture.

Malong is wrap-around garment worn by everyone where

there is one for everyday to wear and for special occasion
called “landap”. What makes the landap extra ordinary are the
handwoven trimmings called the “langkit”. The best backstrap
loom weavers of langkit are in the town of Pualas which
literally a backyard industry where women weave these
complex fabrics at home. 8
 MAISUG | MARANAO

Maranaos are the largest manufacturers of

brassware in the Philippines. The brass artisan
of Tugaya are utilizing scraps recovered from
the bomb casings and ammunition shells of the
Second World War. They uses technique called
"lost wax process." in making brassware. The
designs (okir) which brings together all of its
folk art into one cohesive visual extravaganza
on the brassware are basically the same as
those on carved wood.

The kulintangan is an ensemble of musical

instruments that consists of “kulintang” or
small melodically arranged gongs the
“agung” or big gongs as well as a set of drums
called “debakan” usually make up the
assemblage. Aside that it is a musical
instruments, kulintangan also carry
decorative designs intricately carved or
engraved on it from different part of the
instruments.

Maranaos are presumed to be the last tribe

who embraced Islam as their religion.
Spaniards failed to seize Maranao due to their
strong resistance. They were able to retain
their rich culture despite all the colonizers. .
Maranao tribe never established a single
state but they are divided into many group
called “sultanates” which is governed by
Sultan.
9
 MAISUG | MARANAO

In 2005, Darangen was selected by UNESCO as one

of the masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible
Heritage of Humanity. As far as oral tradition goes,
none is grander or dearer to the Maranaos than the
Darangen, an ancient epic song with 72,000 lines
divided into 17 cycles in the archaic Maranao
language. Darangen, which literally translates to “to
narrate in song” is a collection of tales depicting the
tribulations of mythical heroes and episodes in
Maranao history. It also encodes standards of social
and ethical behavior and values specific to the
Maranao. Its importance is such that to this day,
elders would refer to this text in the administration
of customary law.

Polygamy is one of the traditions of Maranaos that is still practiced upon to this day, especially
for Maranao males. It is when a person marries more than one wife or husband. The Maranao
adapted this tradition on the royal blood or from their Maranao Leaders. Maranao also practice
parental marriage whereparents will be the ones to adjudicate who will marry their son or
daughter. This tradition was kept to retain the pride of their family, especially when the family
came from a royal and big family.

One of the last tribes in Mindanao is adapting to

modern society without completely losing their ethnic
identity and like any other indigenous group they try
to escape the modernizing influences of the present.
They strive to live in their own domain as their
ancestors have lived for nearly five thousand years and
their struggle is not to be a lost tribe.
10
 MAISUG | TAUSUG

Tiyula Itim
TAUSUG CUISINE

Tiyula itum is a Filipino braised beef

or goat soup or stew dish
originating from the Tausug people.
The dish is characteristically black
due to the unique use of charred
coconut meat.

TAUSUG PEOPLE OF THE CURRENT

11
 MAISUG | TAUSUG

Can also be called as Joloano, Sulu, or

Suluk. One of the largest of the Muslim
(sometimes called Moro) ethnic groups of the
southwestern Philippines. They live primarily in
the Sulu Archipelago, southwest of the island of
Mindanao, mainly in the Jolo island cluster. The
Tausug’s are not just known as the most
courageous and ferocious freedom fighters of the
world, yet in addition as the best pearl gatherers
in the world.

The word Islam means peace and

submission. Muslims greet each other by
saying 'Salaam alaykum' meaning 'peace be
upon you'. Like the majority of followers of
other faiths, the majority of Muslims
believe in seeking a just and peaceful
world. the religion of Tausug is Islam, and
the society is structured around a
sultanate. Their religious practices helped
them to be recognized as a dominant
ethnic group in Sulu, this is because of the
presence of their political and religious
institutions. Practices includes: The
Tausug are Sunni Muslims who observe
the Muslims’ Five Pillars.

The Tausug are Sunni Muslims,

followers of the Shaft school. The Five Pillars
are observed, although only the elderly
practice daily prayers regularly. All illness,
accidents, and other misfortunes are
ultimately God's will. 12
 MAISUG | TAUSUG

They are distinctive from the Badjao Tribe by the aspects of their own culture and because
they speak their own language. In the past the Tausug were boisterous pirates who infested
the waters from the Sulu seas but nowadays make a living from agriculture, raising water
buffaloes and fishing.

To these ethnic Muslims, the term ukkil

or okir, means both the art of sculpting or
carving and a particular curvilinear design.
Internationally, this design is recognized as
arabesque. It is a decorative visual
language of vegetal and flowing forms with
its own grammar and vocabulary. Ukkil is a
technique used in Mindanao, specifically in
the Sulu Peninsula.

Tausug carving is best exemplified by the

sunduk or grave marker. Although not as
stylized as those of the Samal, the Tausug
sunduk are wood or stone carv-ings of
geometric or floral forms. 13
 MAISUG | TAUSUG

Baluy or mats are usually made from pandan

leaves. the leaves are dye with one or more
colors and weaved to create different
patterns characterized by linearity and
geometry.

Kalangan or Tausug vocal music can be divided into narrative and lyric songs, and further
into the lugu and the paggabang traditions. The luguh traditio-n denotes unaccompanied
religious songs, while the paggabang tradition applies to “more mundane” songs that are
accompanied by the gabbang and biyula (Trimillos 1972). Kulintang is a term loosely used to
refer to a variety of musical ensembles found not only in Muslim but also in norther borneo.

Land is traditionally owned by

the clan and controlled by local
leaders known as datus. The
customs of marriage and the
family follow Muslim tradition.
Kinship solidarity is very strong
among the Tausug, and married
children often live near— or in the
same household with—the parents
of the husband. 14
 MAISUG | TAUSUG

Tausug society is hierarchically stratified and has been since at least the founding of the Sulu
sultanate. Three major rank categories were formerly recognized: nobles, commoners, and
slaves. The nobility consisted of datu, men holding patrilineally inherited titles who exercised
regional power, and salip, religiously revered men and women who claimed descent from the
Prophet. As in other Malay polities, those of datu status were internally differentiated into
what have been called "royal datus" and "ordinary datus"
15
 MAISUG | TAUSUG

Although centralized as a polity, political power

within the traditional sultanate operated primarily
through networks of interlocking leader-centered
alliances. part of the sultan's authority derived
from his powers of investiture and control over
the title system. At each level of the alliance
network, leaders acted as representatives of the
law, performing legal functions, mediating feuds,
and imposing fines. They also offered their
followers physical protection and, from the sultan
downward, were responsible for administering
religious law and for appointing local and regional
religious officials. Social Control The Tausug
recognize three categories of law: pure Quranic
law; interpreted religious law (sara), codified by
the sultan and other Tausug officials; and
customary law (adat), including offenses of
honor.
The Tausug’s still practice
age-old marriage customs. Marriages
were arranged by the parents so that
the young couple would be married
even if they did not have much
opportunity to get acquainted. A
dowry is going to the bride's family by
the groom's family. This dowry may be
in the form of crops, work animals,
land, money or pieces of jewelry.
Loyalty is an important trait among
the Tausug’s. They practice the ritual
of blood compact to signify the depth
of their loyalty to one another. They
are fierce and dangerous but the
moment one befriends one of them,
the bond will be enduring.

16
 MAISUG | TAUSUG

Home
Sweet
Home
The ancient dwelling of the Tausugs is
built mostly with indigenous materials. Joti is
a plant they use for posts while sent leaves
are utilized for walls. Digpi, the bark of a
specific tree, is used to fasten walls and
posts. The digpi 6-8 feet long which is pre-
soaked in salt water for some time then dried
before it is used. Most of the Tausug homes
have spacious unpartitioned rooms. There is
a verandah or balcony in front of the house.
The kitchen is built separately from the rest
of the house to prevent smoke from entering
the main room. Most of the Tausugs build
their stairways facing the rising sun. They
believe that fortune will come early in the
morning if one's stairway faces the east.
Dress
Code
The Tausug men wears tight fitting
pants and shirt, a sash around the waist
and a matching turban. Their clothes are
made of cotton which they weave
locally. Oftentimes, men shave their
heads or cut their hair short of signity
their social status. The women wear
matching sarong of the Malay type.
They wear brass accessories to their
blouses or use as necklace or bracelets
early in the morning if one's stairway
faces the east.

17
 MAISUG | BADJAO

BADJAO
TRIBE The Sea Gypsies

April 19, 2015: Bajau Laut children paddle in

boats near stilted houses in The Celebes
Sea.The Bajau Laut are nomadic sea gypsies. 18
 MAISUG | BADJAO

M The Badjao are

A primitive and friendly,

they are believed to
N be world’s most
peace-loving people

and consider
O themselves as a non-
aggressive tribal
F community.

This tribal group is known as the

T Sea Gypsies because they travel

by small houseboats called vintas

H which they use to navigate the

waters and shores of the Sulu

E archipelago.

They can be found in many coastal

settlements and inhabit the waters
and shores of the Sulu archipelago.

S Badjao are scattered along the

coastal areas of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu,

E Basilan, and Coastal municipalities

of Zamboanga del Sur in the ARMM.

A 19
WALK TO
WALK TO THEIR
THEIR LIFE
LIFE ART
ART GALLE
GALLE
ALK
ALK TO
TO THEIR
THEIR LIFE
LIFE ART
ART GALL MAISUG |
GAL BADJAO

TO
TO THEIR
THEIR LIFELIFE ART ART GALL
GALL
TO
TO THEIR
THEIR LIFE
WALK TO
A WALK
LIFE ART
TO THEIR
THEIR LIFE
ART GAL
LIFE ART
ART GALLERIA
GALLERIA
GAL
LK TO
ALK TO THEIR
THEIR LIFE
LIFE ART
ART GALL
GALL
WALK TO
WALK TO THEIR
THEIR LIFE
LIFE ART
ART GALLE
GALLE

Badjao is a bright, joyous, and musical people that thinks they are
descended from faithfulness. That's also why they dress in such vibrant
colors, which are frequently handcrafted from traditional dastar fabric.

BADJAO
20
 MAISUG | BADJAO

EMB-
EMB-
ROID
ROID
-ERY
-ERY
The "tepo's" pattern is also a personal expression of the Badjao weaver
who created the mat. The "tepo," or woven mat, represents Badjao skill and
tradition, and is frequently passed down from generation to generation.

Throughout Sulu, the methods for producing pandan and weaving mats are
mostly the same. The mats woven by these two groups may be distinguished by
their pattern and color combinations.
21
 MAISUG | BADJAO

pa, lipa, and lepa-lepa

Le
the indigenous ships of the Badjao people in the Philippines. The Badjao have
historically utilized them as houseboats. Okil, or intricate flower designs, are
commonly used to decorate lepa (also spelled ukkil). On the prow is usually
found the jungal or jungar, a huge elaborately carved bowsprit.

22
 MAISUG | BADJAO

GRAVE
MARKERS
The Badjao people also
have a rich visual arts
tradition in carving and
sculpting. (Grave
markings)

Traditional Sama-Bajau songs are passed down orally from generation

to generation. The songs are typically performed at wedding
ceremonies (kanduli pagkawin), and are accompanied-----
and musical instruments
such as

gabbang (xylophone)

with dancing (pang-igal) the pulau (flute)

tagunggo' (kulintang gongs)

electronic keyboards

biula (violin) 23
 MAISUG | BADJAO

BEYOND THEIR LIFE: A MORE FASCINATING THAN ARTS

Recognition of their master and having wisdom is the

most beautiful way to having a good life
They believe that via ceremonial rites of celebration,
adoration, and exorcism, the dead may speak with the
living. People were washing graves and doing prayers as
a welcoming gesture. In a supposedly acceptable tribe
custom, the Badjao dump newborns into the deep sea
and resurrect elder men in the baby.

badjao ceremony

ceremonial baby
They also think that the souls of the deceased
are confined in graves and that during the month
of Shaaban, their lord is permitted to return to our
world.

gravemarkers
24
 Conclusion
Ecology and biodiversity
Empowering the livelihood of our Muslim brothers and sisters here at their area is
the Lake Lanao, which is also the largest lake in Mindanao. This lake was formed
by tectonic plate activities wherein the collapse of a previous large volcano
resulted into a deep lake which we know today.
This natural resource has a key role in the agricultural sector in the area

Lake Lanao is also home to numerous endemic species of fishes that

plays an important key for the overall ecology of this local environment.
Endemic species refers to a special type of living organism that is only found in a
specific area and will not be found elsewhere. This data describes Lake Lanao as a
biodiversity hotspot that constantly needs conservation and protection to avoid any
ecological collapse that may directly impact the lives of people living around this
area. Some of the endemic species in this lake are as follows:

Puntius baolan Puntius clemensi

Cephalacamsus pachychilus

Puntius flavifuscus Herre Puntius lumba

Aside from the fishing sector, this lake also supports some
hydroelectric power plants which are used by the local
people for hydropower and domestic use.
25
Lake
LakeLanao
LanaoThreats
Threatsand
andResolution
Resolution

The protection mandate is already written on the Philippines Constitution

through the Presidential Proclamation 971 that ensures the conservation of
forest cover and water yield located on this lake.

26
 The
The Feared
Feared Gem
Gem of
of the
the Philippines
Philippines
An archipelago gem on the
southernmost part of the
Philippines is where the
Tausug and Badjao people
are located. Deep in this area
where nomad communities
and breathtaking sceneries
can be found, but
unfortunately is also the
favorite hiding spot of
multiple terrorist groups.
The primary livelihood in this area lies on the vast marine area
which surrounds the multiple islands of the province. This includes
fishing, seaweed farming, boat making, and art craftsmanship. The
untouched scenery here is a biodiversity hotspot where flora and
fauna flourish. There are over 400 species of algae in this area
alone making it their major source of agricultural produce. In
addition, we can also discover a diversity of coral reefs in the Sulu
Sea wherein it acts as a home to different species of marine
animals.

But no matter how rich and diverse the environment our Tausug and Badjao people
have, the tourism and agriculture sector here still lags behind when compared with
the other provinces in the country.
Therefore, addressing these problems will first
involve the government down to the local people.
Further peace talks with the militant groups and
strengthening the security in this area might help in
boosting the tourism sector of the Sulu
Archipelago. The agricultural sector of the area can
use some help from the academe to have
sustainable and profitable seaweed farming as this
is the major crop of the province. The future is
promising for our Tausug and Badjao people if their
natural resources will be utilized in a good way. The
promotion and spotlight to them can also help as
they are residing on the outermost part of our
country.

27
 TRIVIA TIME!
Mindanao is peaceful and
progressive,’ Kusug Tausug Did you know? Did you know?
party-list tells journo Dr. Abdulmari Asia Imao: The Gentle
Tausug and Noble Modernist
By Billy Begas Abdulmari Imao – the first
Surely the extremist Abu Sayyaf and other bandits would be pleased by
the prospects of so many potential kidnap victims. Way to go, Frasco.
Muslim recipient of the
Utterly dismayed that a journalist like you, with connections to Philippine National Artist
international papers, would carelessly suggest in a public forum like
Twitter that tourists in Mindanao will be sitting ducks for kidnappers and Award – a sculptor and
other criminals. Please do not spread falsehoods and damage the painter who fused
achievements of the Muslim Mindanao provinces to keep the peace, the
lady solon added. traditional Islamic design
Tan-Tambut even invited Robles to Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Zamboanga
with Modernist patterns to
City to give you an opportunity to experience the peacefulness of some result in vivid works that
southern Mindanao provinces». The lady solon said Robles could
yearn for local color and
choose any date suitable to her. «I will personally accompany you there
so you can see for yourself how the people live in peace in these places the dream of a unified
and how they work hard to earn a living. My staff will promptly relay
nation, died peacefully in
your message to me, Tan-Tambut added.
MOVIE - Women of his sleep last December 16
A BOWL OF WARM SOUP the Weeping River at his house in Marikina
City. He was 78 years old.
REPRESENTS HOME.
Plight of the Badjao: Forgotten,
nameless, faceless
DEC 5, 2015, 1:00 PM PHT
BOBBY LAGSA

The Sama Dilaut, the formal name

of the Badjao, are among the
most obscure, misunderstood and
marginalized among the Filipino
ethnic-linguistic groups. Their
story needs to be told.
In badjao they have their own
sunblock and it is organic made
that they only made
YOUTUBE - FILIPINO MARKET LIFE Near MARAWI “This woman from Maiga Island in
the district and town of Semporna,
CITY (Maranao, Mindanao, Philippines) Malaysia. Her face is covered with
burak or borak, a sun-protecting
powder made of water weeds, rice
and a variety of spices.”

Wow!! The Maranao market in Balo-I Lanao Del Norte is AWESOME! I was overloaded
with good vibes by the locals, and truly shocked at how cool the place was! It is so
beautiful seeing this market by the river being overlooked by a big Mosque. 28
 LATLIKA PRESENTS
HE
T
R

S
RE I T O
SEA D
RCHERS AND E

Clarence James Roxas Ivan Gabrielle Alzula

TRIVIA WRITER ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY
RESEARCHER

Joanna Beatriz Gunabe Jessica Airah Remo Cyrisse Luay

TAUSUG TRIBE RESEARCHER BADJAO TRIBE RESEARCHER MARANAO TRIBE RESEARCHER

Jacqueline Pabalate Froison Kenneth Pulido

DESIGN AND ART DIRECTOR DESIGN AND ART DIRECTOR