Maranao Culture

MARANAO DANCE
Sinkil dance takes its name from the bells worn on the ankles of the Muslim princess. Perhaps
one of the oldest of truly Filipino dances, the Singkil recounts the epic legend of the "Darangan"
of the Maranao people of Mindanao. This epic, written sometime in the 14th century, tells the
fateful story of Princess Gandingan, who was caught in the middle of a forest during an
earthquake caused by the diwatas, or fairies or nymph of the forest. When performed by ladies of
the royalty of Lanao, the dancer is usually accompanied by a waiting lady, who holds a
beautifully decorated umbrella over the Princess' head wherever she goes. Royal princesses to
this day in the Sulu Archipelago are required to learn this most difficult and noble dance.
Pagapir and Kinakulangan

Two dances, “Pagapir” and “Kinakulangan”, are popular folk dances. These are
performed individually or as part of the royal dance, “Singkil.” “Pagapir” illustrates many ways
of handlin“Kinakulangan” showcases the royal walk or “kini-knini” of the Maranao women.
According to Ele (1974), the steps show good upbringing among the Maranao women. Lines 214
-269 in the Maranao epic “Darangen” give the details on how Princess Gandingan’s lady
attendants walked ahead of her with their colorful fans, umbrellas and betelnut cases.
Sagayan is an “Extremely dramatic” dance form belonging to Southeast Asia. This “war” dance
is said to have originated in Philippines, and is mainly performed by the Maguindanao and
Maranao community. Apparently, this dance is performed to honour the Maguindanao and the
Maranao communities, who were supposed to have been warriors. Furthermore, this dance
comprises of colourful costumes, and is performed mainly during the annual Sagayan festival.
The Kapa Malong Malong is a traditional Maranao dance performed by women wearing a
malong, shawl, mantle or a headpiece. The men wear a sash or waist-band, shorts or bahag, and a
headgear or a turban which is also used while working in the fields.
MARANAO ARTS & CRAFTS

“Baur” or wooden chests are among the best pieces produced here. Unlike other chests, the
Maranao baur is handcarved with intricate okir motifs & inlayed with “tipay” or polished shells.
Also, Tugayanons are the best known makers of metalcrafts. The “gadur” or brass jars, tabak or
brass serving trays & the “kampilan” or swords are among their masterpieces.
“okir” is the design element that brings together all of its folk art into one cohesive visual
extravaganza. Okir is a set of leaf, fern or vine motif expressed in most of its art. Whether in
woodworks or metalcrafts, okir is a prominent design. Their handwoven fabrics as well as
architecture heavily use it too. And whether it’s sculpted, painted, woven or engraved, okir stays
as its strongest & most distinguishable aesthetic.
We have several stylized decorative motifs in Muslim art, Sarimanok is one of these. Sarimanok
is stylized representation of an open-winged legendary bird whose claws clutch a fish. It is a
bird- form symbolof the Maranao. You will see the Sarimanok on top of bamboo poles placed
at the center of muslim villages.
Betel box from the Philippines, Mindanao, Maranao people, probably 20th century, copper alloy
with silver inlay. For storing nuts and other chew-able food
Kris. The word "kris" is actually a Maranao term for sword. Although unlike the common-
looking swords, kris has a very significant molded shape according to Sumandar.
One of the things that made kris different from a normal sword is its blade. As opposed to the
straight form of the blade, the kris' blade is in wave pattern.
"This is actually the symbolism of Maranao. You know, when it comes to Maranao, they're not
just in farm, in land, but they are actually in water also. When it comes to Kris, as what I've said,
it is different from other swords. Wave ang blade niya compared dun sa other swords,"
Sumandar said.
The wave pattern of the blade represents the life of the Maranaos in connection with water as
they also find their livelihood in water, she added.
Kulintang is a modern term for an ancient instrumental form of music composed on a row of
small, horizontally laid gongs that function melodically, accompanied by larger, suspended
gongs and drums.
The dabakan is a single-headed Philippine drum, primarily used as a supportive instrument in the
kulintang ensemble. Among the five main kulintang instruments, it is the only non-gong element
of the Maguindanao ensemble.
The agung is a set of two wide-rimmed, vertically suspended gongs used by the Maguindanao,
Maranao, Sama-Bajau and Tausug people of the Philippines as a supportive instrument in
kulintang ensembles.
The Maranao kampilan or sword is a single-edged bicuspid weapon that has an ornate handle
made of brass and ivory. There are strands of human hair hanging at the bottom of the handle to
decorate the sword handle.
Alotang is a Maranao Instrument made of Bamboo which function as a Xylophone is Kulintang
ensemble.
A Maranao Royal bed and dining set is mostly found in Torogan houses owned by known
families in Marawi city. It’s color symbolizes royalty which is yellow.
Paira-an functions as tabacco container and is usually made of wood.
Philippines Maranao bracelet from the island of Mindanao. Gilt, with beautiful arabesque
repousse and a filigree plaque over the closure.
TEXTILE
Maranao arts and crafts are unrecognizable without mentioning the “malong”, an important part
of their traditional clothing. Malong is a wrap-around garment worn by everyone. There’s one
for everyday wear. Then there are more for special occasions called “landap”.
What makes the “landap” extra ordinary are the handwoven trimmings called the “langkit”.
However, not many know it, the best backstrap loom weavers of langkit are in the town of
Pualas. It’s literally a backyard industry where women weave these complex fabrics at home.
What makes the “landap” extra ordinary are the handwoven trimmings called the “langkit”.
However, not many know it, the best backstrap loom weavers of langkit are in the town of
Pualas. It’s literally a backyard industry where women weave these complex fabrics at home.
In towns, many Maranao wear nontraditional clothing, not just Western clothing but also the
Filipino barong tagalog [ seeFilipinos ], Malay fashions, and most recently Arab and Pakistani
garb. The malong, a sarong whose edges are often connected by a langkit , a second piece of
cloth of contrasting design, is the main article of traditional clothing for both sexes. Ceremonial
apparel for a datu (male title-holder) consists of an embroidered coat and long, tight-fitting pants;
a tobao, a matching silk cloth; and a dagger tucked into a 12-cm wide (5-in-wide) waist sash. A
bai (female title-holder) wears a long-sleeved blouse (often embroidered); a malong of locally
woven silk; a necklace of gold coins; and a kobong veil (formerly, a crown and a special
coiffure). Colors range from yellow for sultans to red or maroon for other titles.
MARANAO MUSIC
Dekir – death song of Maranao
Salathul Juma – Friday prayer chant
Tarawe – chant during Ramadan
Folk Epic – Darangen
Vis kakae panaodan, kakae magidala bayuk.
Pakaradi-an
Gandingan bayuk.
Maranao: Kapagonor
Maranao: Kutyapi
Maranao: Bayok
Kasulampid Traditionally, Maranao Kakolintang is played with two people on the Agung and
without the presence of the Gandingan. This particular performance of "Kasulampid"
deliberately kept the typical Maguindanao style quintet with one person on the agung, and with
the presence of the Gandingan.
EXHIBITS
The Darangen Dolls, created by Dr. Sainuddin M. Moti of Marawi City and inspired by the
Maranao epic titled “Darangen”.
An antique copy of the Noble Holy Qur’an sent all over the world (including the
Philippines), distributed at the end of the Holy Month f Ramadhan, Hiraj 1309 (in 1893), by
authority of Sultan Abdul Hamid II (Istanbul, Turkey) of the Ottoman Empire at the time.
Moro mail and plate armor from Maranao, Lanao del Sur, Western Mindanao,
Philippines, construction from butted brass mail and plates of dark browish buffalo horn, 9.6 kg.
Dimensions: length appr 74 cm (29 in.), width with sleeves appr 67 cm (26 in.), lower width
appr. 51 cm (20 in.).
A MORO SUIT OF ARMOUR

MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES, 19TH CENTURY
Consisting of thirty plates of body armour attached together with large chainmail rings,
arms and lower mid-section with smaller size ringed chainmail, front main breastplates with
applied engraved silver decorative panels in floral shapes and three quatrefoils with swirling
terminals along join between two breastplates, two matching latches with protruding studs to
bind breastplates together, missing some decorative studs but otherwise in good condition
Breastplates 11 x 11¾in. (28 x 30cm.); Overall size 25½ x 19½in. (64.8 x 49.5cm.)
MARANAO FESTIVALS
KARIYALA FESTIVAL (Wao, Lanao Del Sur) (February 22)

Kalilang and Kariyala both mean “merrymaking and thanksgiving” This universal expression of
thanksgiving for the triumphs, abundance, prosperity or any form of blessings received. The
celebration of this is festival are similar to Lami- Lamihan of Lamitan, Basilan and Meguyaya of
Upi, Maguindanao.
KALILANG SA RANAO (Marawi City) (April 15)
A festival commemorating the charter anniversary celebration of Marawi City Highlights of the
festival are Qur’an Reading Contest, presentation of colorful Muslim songs and dances, Islamic
Quiz Bee, exhibits of Maranao crafts, native delicacies, traditional games and musical
instruments competition.

Maranao Culture

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Maranao Culture

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MARANAO DANCE

Pagapir and Kinakulangan

MARANAO ARTS & CRAFTS

A MORO SUIT OF ARMOUR

KARIYALA FESTIVAL (Wao, Lanao Del Sur) (February 22)

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