Art of Mindanao

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GRADE 7 ARTS
Module 2
Q3 WK3-5
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to;
 Identify the musical instruments and other sound sources of representative music
selections from Mindanao
 Identify characteristics of arts and crafts in specific areas in Mindanao
 Evaluate the effectiveness of mood, idea, or message as depicted by the visual
image in the artwork
 Create crafts that can be locally assembled with local materials, guided by local
traditional techniques
 Reflect on and derive the mood, idea, or message emanating from selected
artwork
 Determine the effectiveness of artwork by evaluating its utilization and combination
of art elements and principle
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REFERENCE/S
The 21st Century MAPEH in Action Worktext in Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health
by Lualhati Fernando Callo, Gerardo C. Lacia, Marissa R. Operario, Ed.D, Ma. Luisa-
Dizon-Poquiz, Ed. D. Rex Book Store
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY
Are you familiar with the art of the Muslims in Mindanao? Below is a picture of
Muslim women wearing the traditional garment called the malong. The malong is a popular
garment to both Muslim and non-Muslim Filipinos. It can function as a skirt for men and
women, a dress, a blanket, a bed sheet, a hammock, a prayer mat, and other purposes.
How do you describe the malong in the picture below? Write as many words as you can to
describe the picture?
GO AND LEARN
Who are our Asian neighbors who influenced our arts?
As our country lies midway on Asia's sea routes, our Asian neighbors frequently
visit us. Our closest neighbors, the Indonesians and Malaysians, had traded us long
before the Spaniards set foot on our shores. Thus, many of the Filipino decorative art forms
show strong Malaysian influence. These decorative art forms include colorful batik cloth,
silverware, pewter items, and woodcarvings. Traders from Java and Sumatra visited the
Sulu archipelago, they brought with them Hindu and Buddhist influences. However, when
Arab missionaries preached Islam in the Sulu archipelago during the 12th century, it finally
became a Sultanate, Muslim-ruled places
Islamic and Indian influences are, thus,
shown in the Muslim's okir design. Rendered in
hardwood and brass, the okir designs are
mostly figurative, depicting animals. plants, and
mythical figures. The style is highly decorative,
with long curvilinear lines and secondary
arabesques. The designs are based in the
ancient epics and serve as significant cultural
symbols. Many okir designs are also used as
decorative elements in architecture. The
Muslim peoples of the Philippines are noted for
their metalworking skills, producing weaponry
such as swords and decorative containers in
brass and silver.
The Islamic religious architecture
which includes the mosque (masjid), a place of
community gathering and prayer, and the Madrasa, or religious school are also found in the
Philippines. The typical madrasah is a four-sided building surrounding a courtyard. Usually,
a large arched hall called an iwan is set in the middle of each side of the building where
Muslim students listen to lectures.
What are some of the Muslims' art forms?
Islamic traditions were first introduced to the Malays of the Southern Philippine
islands in the 14t century. The Muslim peoples in the south a design tradition that shows
evidence of Indian and Islamic influences. Rendered' in hardwood and brass, the okir
designs are mostly figurative' depicting animals’ plants, and mythical figures. The style is
highly decorative' with long curvilinear lines and secondary arabesques. The designs are
based in the ancient epics and serve as significant cultural symbols. An important motif Of

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the Maranaos is the sarirnanok design, depicting a bird holding a fish in its beak or talons.
Many designs are used as decorative elements in architecture. The Muslim Filipinos are
also noted for their metalworking skills.
What are the artworks of the Tausugs?
The Tausugs (people of the
current) or Joloanos were the first
tribe in the archipelago to be
converted to Islam. They are
historically the ruling people of the
ancient Sultanate of Jolo. They are
traders, fishermen and artisans of
fine Muslim textiles and metal works.
The Tausugs have their own
version of torogan which is mainly
made from nipa and huge bamboo.
The torogan is also used for a
variety of socio-religious gatherings
such as weddings, funeral wakes,
and conferences and even for court proceedings.
What are the artworks of the Maranaos?
The Maranao (people of the lake) are
skillful craftsmen and artists among the
Mindanaoan ethno- groups. Most of their arts
and crafts were patterned after okir or okkil (right
photo). The form and design refer to the range of
folk motifs, usually of plants and geometric forms
that are prominent in Maranao art work.
There are other figural representations in Filipino
Islamic art such as the buraq, a winged horse with a head of
a woman. This imagery relates Prophet Muhammad's
ascension to heaven. There is also the other famous
creature-the sarimanok, a symbol for bravery and nobility.
The oldest proof of okir's flowering is the torogan, the ancestral home of the
highest titleholder in a Maranao village. The torogan is a symbol of rank and prestige and is
reserved for important celebrations and political events. It stands out architecturally in the
community because of its panolong — a carved beam that protrudes in the front of the
house and is adorned with okir motif. Aside from plant and vegetable forms, the panolong
has come to be dominated by the nafor sepent motif. The malong, woven Maranao cloth,
also bears various okir designs. In fact, the geometric and plant designs on the vertical
strips of the malong indicate the wearer's village of origin. Brass and metal works, from the
functional betel-nut boxes to musical instruments, always carry these designs as well.
The Maranaos' ingenuity of blending the Islamic art motif (Arabic scripts) brought
by the Arabs with the homegrown flora- and- fauna shapes, resulted in the famous okir.

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What are the artworks of the Maguindanaoans?
The Maguindanaoans or the "people of
the flood plain" live on periodically flooded area of
Cotabato Province, where land appears as a
catch basin of the mighty Rio Grande of
Mindanao. They are the largest group of Muslims.
They are a hardy clan, surviving on agriculture
and fishing. They are also well known for their skill
in weaving fine mats and baskets.
What are the artworks of the Yakans?
Aside from Maranaos in the Northernmost part of Mindanao, another group of
Muslims are the Yakans. This unique cultural group of Sulu living on Basilan Island south of
Zamboanga, are gentle
people. They are of
partial Polynesian origin,
with mixed Muslim and
animalist beliefs. They
are the excellent textile
weavers of the southern
archipelago. Many of
them have the talent of
turning fine cotton and
silks into remarkable
geometric work of art.
How good is the artistry and craftsmanship of the Filipino Muslims?
The artistry and fine craftsmanship of the Muslims who dwell on the western
and central part of Mindanao is, no doubt, an art form that Filipinos could be proud of.
It is truly an art Filipinos could call their own. Though Tausugs, Yakans,
Maguindanaoans, and Maranaos traced their descent from Indones-Malayo race, their
firmed inclusion into Philippine geograpico- political sovereignty makes them truly
Filipinos. Their designs of okir, torongan, lantaka, and sarimanok among others, could
stand along Asian folk arts as one of high-qualities.
How are lines utilized in Mindanaoan folk-arts?
1. Vertical lines — These lines convey uprightness, dignity and assurance.
2. Horizontal lines - These lines suggest calmness, peace, and sobriety. Observe
the stability of the Moro Lantaka or Swivel Cannon placed on flexible horizontal
flexible swivels. It strengthens the posting of the whole structure.
The Moro lantaka or swivel cannon
This weapon gave the Spanish much trouble when conquering the Philippines
islands. The Moro type lantaka is one of the most awesome weapons of the Pre-Spanish
Filipinos. These guns were placed on flexible swivels which the Spanish technology never
thought of at that time.

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3. Organic Lines
Lines that follow the movement of
"Plants and animals, also signifies curvilinear
lines which move mostly in direction of the
curves.
Observe well the design of "okir" (left)
of the Maranaos. The repeated/repetitive
design (motif) imitates plants' leaves and
barks.
ART AWARENESS
What makes design important in our lives?
Design is important in our lives. Even if we think of art as isolated from the rest of
life. We still must turn to architects to design our buildings with Important functions, whether
churches or banks. We still value design in furniture and other useful everyday objects. We
also want monuments to honor our heroes. Decorative arts furnish or beautify the spaces in
which we live, or adorn our bodies. Among
the decorative arts are textile and furniture
design, metalwork, glass, ceramics, and
fashion design.
Design is also a means to convey a
group's values and traditions. For instance,
the Filipino Muslims in the south practice okir,
a design tradition that shows, evidence of
Indian and Islamic influences. Rendered in
hardwood and brass, the okir designs are
mostly figurative, depicting animals, plants,
and mythical figures. The style is highly
decorative, with long curvilinear lines and
secondary arabesques. The designs are
based form the ancient epics and serve as
significant cultural symbols. An important
motif of the Maranaos is the sarimanok
design, depicting a bird holding a fish in its
beak or talons. Many okir designs are used
as decorative elements in architecture.
What is the personal function of art?
Art serves a personal expression. Artistic body adornments such as bead jewelry,
body and headdresses of the tribal Filipinos are important indications of social status
What is the physical function of art?
Lastly, art has its physical function. We use art when we try to produce things that
make our lives physically comfortable. Examples are tools and containers. Artists design
objects to make them right for their particular use and at the same time pleasing to the
user's eyes. In remote areas, tribal groups have preserved traditional art forms such as
woodcarving, textile weaving, bamboo and rattan weaving, and metalsmithing to produce
things that they need every day.
Activity 1: Designing a Malong
Materials:
pencil, ruler, sign pen, oil pastel, Oslo paper
Procedure:
1. On Oslo paper, create various designs of malong. Use the picture below as your
guide.
2. You may come up with your own designs of malong using various shapes and
colors.

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Answer the following questions:
1. What is the idea and mood that you would like to convey by means of your choice
of lines and colors in your malong design? Is it about happiness, practicality,
elegance, or any other ideas?
2. Do you find your malong design an effective guide in creating a malong? Why?
Activity 2: Thread Bracelet
This bracelet is almost like mixing a using paints, you are twisting threads together
to make new.
Materials:
Stranded embroidery thread, electrical tape, scissors
Steps:
1. You will need threads of different colors each, 70 cm (27 inches) in long. Tie them
in knot, 10 cm (4 in) from the top of the threads. Fasten them your work surface
with electrical tape just above the knot.
2. Hold the ends of the threads together and twist them together in .and twist them
together in the same direction until they feel tight. The threads will start to get
shorter.
3. Pull the twisted length straight and place your finger on the center. Fold the twisted
length in half and carefully remove your finger. you do this, the twisted thread will
wind around each other.
4. Remove the electrical tape and tie a knot in the free end. Tie this knot as close to
the end as possible. Trim any uneven threads with scissors. To fasten the bracelet
around your wrist or ankle, put the knot through the loop at the other end. Be sure
to hold on tightly to the braid. If you let go before you have secured it with a knot,
the twist will unwind.
Activity 1: Self-assessment
Draw a happy face if you agree with the statement and a sad face if you disagree
with the statement.
1. I express my creativity in drawing or creating practical things with ethnic design.
2. I expand my imagination in designing ethnic patterns.
3. I apply the elements of art like shape, color, texture, and others in my artwork.
4. I make my own ethnic design different from those of others.
5. I am happy creating a new design of bracelet.
FYI
Did you know that green, to the Muslims,
is a sacred color? As a proof of this, they carry a
green flag and wear green turbans after they have
made a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. They
also design their prayer rugs with a green
background. Indeed, the color green has a special
place in Islam. It is used in the decoration of
mosques, the bindings of Qurans, the silken
covers for the graves of Sufi saints, and in the
flags of various Muslim countries.
Flag of Saudi Arabia
TCHR. EDWARD KENNEDY Q. PILAR
0977 304 3982
MAPEH Teacher