2. 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.
3. 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 .
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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).
7. 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 stainthese
handspun abaca fibers.
8. 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
.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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 .
15. 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.
16. 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,
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. 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..
