IN MINDANAO

OVERVIEW
Mindanao, referred to as “The Land of Promise,” the second
largest and southernmost island in the Philippine Archipelago.
Mindanao also has the largest concentration of etholiguistic
groups and culturally diverse islands. These groups are mostly
Muslims from the Badjao, Iranun, Jama Mapun, Kalagan,
Kalibugan(Subanen who were converted to Islam), Manobo,
Maguindanao, Sama, Bangingi, Sama Pangutaran, Samal,
Sangil, Tausug and Yakan groups. Other Groups are Lumads ot
those who have maintained their indigenous beliefs and
traditions instead of converting to Islam or Christianity . Some
Lumad groups in Mindanao are the Bagobos and the T’bolis.
Before Islam came to the Philippines, early Filipinos
worshipped natural and believed that plants and inanimate
objects are home to ancestral spirits. They also believed
that natural phenomena are caused by gods. The
indigenous belief system is called Animism. The
conversion of the natives and the arrival of MuslimTraders
In this module, you will learn how animism and the Islamic
religion fused together and produced a uniquely Filipino
artistic Tradition. You are invited to explore the arts of the
peoples of Mindanao .
LESSON :ATTIRE,TEXTILES,
AND TAPESTRIES
Traditional clothing of B’laan
Bilaan or B’laan is an etnolinguistic group that inhabit some
parts of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, and Davao del Sur.
B’laan is a combination of two words,”bila,” which means:house,”
“an,” which means “People”.
They are known for embroidery, brass ornaments and
beadwork that are integrated in their traditional clothing.
B’laan wear clothes woven from abaca embellished with
embroidery, buttons, and beads.
B’laans, like the Bagobos and the T’bolis, weave highly-polished
abaca textiles using ikat.
IKAT is a process of dyeing the fabric where the yarns are tightly
wrapped with strings and dyed before weaving.
TRADITONAL CLOTHING OF BAGOBO
AND T’BOLI
BAGOBOS are group of people that live in
Davao.Comes from the words BAGO(new) and
OBO (growth).
T’nalak is a woven from deep brown abca treated in
the ikat process to obtain intricate designs.
Men t’nalak wear shorts, an undershirt and a
t’nalak coat.
bagani(hero/warrior) wear blood-red clothes and a
head kerchief Tangkulu .
Women wear wrap-around t’nalak skirts and
blouses. Their blouses are adorned with floral
patterns , checkers, or paisley prints.
 T’boli
Live in and around Lake Sebu,
South Cotabato, are famous
for their compicated
beadwork,wonderful woven
fabrics, and beautiful brass
ornaments.
Similar to the Bagobos , they
regard the t’nalak as sacred.
Traditional wedding rituals
involve the exchange of this
textile.
LANG-DULAY the famous
T’boli dream weaver, received
the National Living Treasures
– Gawad Manlilikha ng
Bayan(GAMABA).
Men are not allowed to touch the materials used in the
weaving proncess. The weaver is forbidden to mate with her
husband during the time that the cloth is being women.
 T’nalak production is a painstaking process that
requires patience , a lot creativity, good memory, and a
range of skills learned from a young age by the
weavers.
 T’boli weavers themselves are used to stain these
handspun abaca fibers.
TRADITIONAL CLOTHING OF THE
MARANAO
 Maranao means “People of the
Lake” referring to people who
occupy the lands surrounding Lake
Lanao. They are famous for their
artworks, intricate weaving,wood
carving,metal craft, and their epics.
 Maranaos are known for their
malong.
 MALONG is a traditional Filipino
tube skirt that is made of hand-
woven or machine –made multi-
colored cotton cloth,bearing a
variety of geometric or floral designs
.
Malong is similar to the strong worn by peoples in Malaysia,Brunei and Indonesia. But unlike
sarong , the malong is longer and is stitched together at both ends to make a tube.
 Malong is an important part of Maranao life .
 Kapa Malong Malong or Sambisa Malong traditional dance
demonstrates the various ways of wearing a malong and its
uses.
 YAKAN popular for their skills in weaving. Their home at
Basilan. They weave very intricate designs in their textiles ,
which they use for their clothes and other accessories.
 YAKAN hand-loomed fabrics are known for their use of
bold colors and geometric patterns.
fabrics are traditionaly used as garments .
SEPUTANGAN is a square cloth used by Yakan women as
a head cover or as abelt.
BADJULAPI is a tight blouse with long sleeves. It is
ornamented with gold,silver or bronze buttons.
PINALANTUPAN a type of skirt is layered over the
trousers.
LESSON 2:CRAFTS,ACCESSORIES,AND
BODY ORNAMENTS
 SARIMANOK is a legendary bird of
the Maranao. It comes from the
words “SARI” meaning coth or
garment and “MANOK” for chicken.
 It has come a significant symbol of
Maranao art. Its depicted as a fowl
with colorful wings and feathered
tail, holding a fish on its beak or
talons. The head is profisely
decorated with scroll,leaf and spiral
motifs. It is said to be a symbol of
good fortune.
OKIR
 It refers to traditional and unique
carving and prominent to any design
among the Mpro ethno-liguistic
communities. The name comes from
an old Malayan word which means
carve or “UKIT” in Filipino. It is
referred to as OKIR in Maranao while
OKKIL in Maguindanao.
 A new pattern now known as OKIR
MOTIF has evolved from the Indian
stylized bird-like and naga themes
and the Islamic tradition of using
flowing flowers,vines, and geometric
patterns as well as local artisan styles.
 OKIR MOTIF has evolved
from the Indian stylized
bird-like and naga themes
and the Islamic tradition of
using flowing flowers,vines
and geometric patterns as
well as local artisan styles.
 FACE MAKEUP AND BODY
ORNAMENTS
 A distinct form of visual arts of the
YAKAN facial make-up applied on
brides and grooms.
The bride and groom wear different
accessories.
WEDDING ATTIRE:
 MALE
 Pis – hand-woven head cloth;worn as symbolic
protection spears or knives.
 Kandit- 15-m belt or sash made of gilim(red cloth)
 Shirts that are believed to be bulletproof with Arabic
script designs prepared by imams and hadjis.
 FEMALE-short skirt over trousers.
 Both
SARUK – hat worn to add elegance.
ORNAMENTS:
 Crocodile tooth necklace for fortune
 Triangular amulets with symbols wrapped in
black cloth(anting-anting)against bullets.
 Snake bone belts to guard from pain.
 Maniktegiyas is necklace or bracelet of beads
from dried fruit seeds to protect from illness
caused by evil spirits.
 Maniksembulan necklace or bracelets made of
bamboo stems cut into short pieces;serves as
added protection.
 FUNCTIONAL ARTCLES:
 PEGUPAAN-bamboo container for chewing betel
nut.
 LUTUAN – a small bronze box with engravings
carried at the waist .
T’BOLI ACCESSORIES
 HILOT is a heavy brass belt worn by
women during festivals. The T’boli
nobility wear with bracelets and anklets,
furnished with ball-bearings that make
sound as the wearer walks.The bells that
are hung from the distinctive brass or
beaded belts signal the approach of a
woman.
 SUWATLMIMOTIS a wooden comb
with colored glass beads hanging from
it, worn toward the back of the head.
LESSON 3: ARCHITECTURE
 TOROGAN is the ancestral house of
the upper class Maranao. It is the
dwelling place of the datu along with
his wives and children.
 The National Mueum has declared the
Maranao totogan, specially the
KAWAYAN TOROGAN as one of the
National Cultural Treasures through
Museum Declaration No. 4-2008.
 PANOLONG is a wing-like ornament
of torogan flaring out from the beams
. This Okir carving usually feautures
naga or serpent,pakorabong or stylized
fern,as well as floral and star and bud
motifs,
 BADJAO HOUSES
The Bajau,also known s Sama-Babau, are
the “Sea Gypsies” or nomads of the Sulu
Sea.Their main source of livelihood is
fishing and hunting ,thus,most of them
live in boat houses or houses on stilts
around the Sulu archipelago.
THE GRAND MOSQUE OF COTABATO
The largest mosque in the Philippines,the
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid or
also known as the Grand Mosque sitting
near the idle banks of Tamontaka River
is founded by the Philippine
Government and the Sultan of
Brunei,for whom the masjid was
named.The mosque occupies 5000 sq
meters of 5 hectare land.
 FORT PILAR ZAMBOANGA
 The historical Fort Pilar, also
called Real Fuerza de Nuestra
Señora del Pilar de
Zaragoza,was founded in 1635
and still stands strong until
today. It was engineered by
Fr. Melchor de Vera , a Jesuit
priest.
Monastery of the Transfiguration of
Bukidnon
 Monastery located atop of the hill
of Malaybalay,Bukidnon, founded
by Fr. Abbot Eduardo Africa and
run by the Benedictine Monks. The
pyramid-like structure was
designed by the National artist for
Architecture Leandro Locsin. It is
one of his last design and
considered as one of his best,aside
from the Cultural Center of the
Philippines and Davao
International Airport.
SANTO ROSARIO CHURCH OF
CAMIGUIN
 The church is located at the town of
Sagay,Camiguin Island . The original
church was built in 1882 using coral
stones , but old infractructures were to
weak.It was retrofitted with steel bars
using modern building techniques. The
unique things you can find in the
church. The builders used to local
materials,particularyly woven bamboo
skin which highlights the local
traditions of the island.
LESSON 4:SCULPTURES
 MAITUM JAR
An earthenware vessel for secondary burial from
Sarangani province .These antifacts were discovered in
1991 and are now in the protection of the National
Museum.
Some expert argue that these jars are not only artistically
significant ,they also hold key information of historical
and antropological importance.

T’BOLI WOOD CARVING AND BRASS CASTING AND POTTERY

wood carvers get their inspiration from the wildlife in their local area
MARANAO WOOD CARVING AND
METAL CASTING
 Rarub-A-klong is a metallic armor made of
brass plates,carabao horn and interlocking
riglets.
 KAMPILAN single-edged steel sword with a
handle made of hand carvd ivory in a form of
the head of the naga or a serpent
,handcrafted gold, and hanged horde hair at
the bootom of the handle.

 BATIGE a large manually carved wooden top

inlaid with mother-of-pearl. It is used by
adult males to test their skills and strength.
 KENDI is a heirloom
teapot or kettle used
for hot water,cofee, or
tea.

 GADOR is a
largeintricate
decorated white metal
tobacco container . It
has become an item of
interior decoration in
proper Maranao
households.
LESSON 5: FUNCTIONAL ART
 BALANGHAY
the balanghai is also known as balangay or
Butuan Boat ,is a large wooden boat used by
the pre-colonial Filipinos to traverse the
seas for trade or migration.Archaeologists
found partsof the balangay in Butuan City
in 1976.These artifatcs are dated from
anywhere between 320-1250CE.They are
estimated to measure (15m) long and 3-4m
wide,
VINTA
this boat is traditionally made by the
Badjaos who live in the Sulu archipelago.
the sial consists of severalcolors and
geometric shapes representing the colorful
culture and history of the Muslim people..