MARANAO

The Maranao people also spelled Meranao,

Maranaw (based on Marapatik) and
Mëranaw, is the term used by the Philippine
government to refer to the southern tribe
who are the "people of the lake" (Ranao in
the Iranaon language), They are known for
their artwork, weaving, wood and metal
crafts and epic literature, the Darangen.
The term Lanao is derived from
the Maranao word “Ranao”
meaning a body of water.
“Maranao” means Lake Dweller.
They are the natives of the
place occupying the land
around Lake Lanao, which is
situated at the central part of
Lanao del Sur. Lanao applied to
the entire area before its
division. When it was divided
into two provinces, the
southern portion became
Lanao del Sur and the northern
part became Lanao del Norte.
The Maranao tribe never
established a single state
but they are divided into
many groups called
“sultanates” which were in
continual warfare with
each other. Maranao
villages are made up of a
few main households:
several families may live
under one roof in a food-
sharing relationship.
 The Maranaos are
superstitious. They believe
in the hidden powers of the
ANTING-ANTING amulets.
These Items which they
wear on their necks, arms
or legs believed to bring
them good luck.
Courting a Maranao lady could be difficult.
A suitor should be the most hardworking and
patient bachelor in town. A go-between who will
mediate for the contracting parties of the groom
needed. The parents of the groom contact the
parents of the bride regarding the desire of their
son marry. The woman's family announces the
dowry. When all is settled,
the wedding celebration takes
place In fun and merriment.
MARANAO
LANGUAGE
Maranao is an Austronesian language
spoken by the Maranao people in the
provinces of Lanao del Norte and
Lanao del Sur.

This script is called Batang Arab

(Arabic letters). Written Maranao
literary texts are known as kirim.
MARANAO
ART
Sarimanok, Papanoka "Mra" or
"Mara patik" is a legendary bird
of the Maranao that is a
ubiquitous symbol of their art. It
is depicted as a Hoodhud
(Arabic) with colorful wings and
feathered tail, holding a fish on
its beak or talons. The head of
Sarimanok is like the head of a
Hoopoe (Balalatoc in maranaw)
and is profusely decorated with
scroll, leaf and spiral motifs. It is
a symbol of good fortune.
 OKIR
In all these forms the Maranao are
consistent in their motif which is the okir
design.

It refers to a whole repertoire of folk motifs

which consisting of plant forms that figure
prominently in their artwork from weaving
to carving, to brass cast pieces.

Its design serve as significant cultural

symbols. many design are used as
 MALONG
The Maranaos are also known for their
gold and purple malong.

The malong has many uses depending

on the need of the wearer. It can be
used as a cape, coat, blanket or
umbrella. Maranao or Maguindanao
women wear the malong over a blouse
called arbita. Also, they wear a turban
called kombong made of muslin fabric.
Maranao women wear special kinds of
clothes which are distinctly their own.
The malong is one kind of dress
material which can be used in many
ways. Women wear it as skirt, a dress,
a blouse or a gown. The rest of the
family use it either as hammock, a
fruit basket, a sleeping bag, a
bathrobe, a baby carriage or a simple
market bag.
If you will notice, the colors
green, yellow, red, violet and
blue dominated the Maranao
arts.
 METAL WORKS
Maranao people of the Philippinens are
noted for their skills in metalworks.

Tugaya is a prosperous town located on the

banks of beautiful Lake Lanao. The town is
noted for its brass products. The people
have been producing brassware as early as
the fifteenth century.

Their products consists of cauldrons, betel

containers, vases, kris handle, kulintang,
gong, mortar and saddle. The designs on
 MARANAO
ARCHITECTURAL
FEATURES
THREE TYPES OF MARANAO HOUSES:

Lawig or small houses

Mala – a – walai or large house

The torogan, the ornately decorated

ancestral residence of the datu and
his extended family.
THREE TYPES OF MARANAO HOUSES:

Lawigs vary in size from field huts, which are

raised above ground on stilts with lean-to roofing
and an outdoor cooking area.

These structures are mainly used for sleeping.

Usually occupied by a single family unit, the lawig

is not normally adorned, except for an occasional
wooden adornment that may embellish the
window sill or door portal
THREE TYPES OF MARANAO HOUSES:

Mala–a-walai is a single room and partitionless

structure, is a house of a well-to-do family.

Although architectural ornaments are present in the

structure, the house does not have the panolong – an
elaborately carved beam extension identified with the
royal torogan.

The okir decorations are generally to be found on the

baseboards, windowsills and doorjambs.
THREE TYPES OF MARANAO HOUSES:

The Torogan is the ancestral house of the upper-

class Maranao in the Lanao Region of Mindanao.
It is the dwelling place of the datu along with his
wives and children. There could not be any house
larger than torogan of the datu within the
sultanate, for this signifies rank, prestige and
wealth.
THREE TYPES OF MARANAO HOUSES:

The windows of torogan are slits and richly framed in

wood panels with okir designs located in front of the
house.

The communal kitchen is half a meter lower than the

main house is both used for cooking and eating.
MARANAO
MUSIC
Kapagonor sa Kolintang

Specifically played by a
Lady whom is adept in
chanting and meticulous
thudding of Kolintang and
has the discipline to lead
an Ensemble of musicians,
other who plays AGONG
and the one on DUBAKAN
to complete that distinct
melody.
Kambayok

Is chanting of poetic
verses with a theme
revolving in a festivity
being celebrated, it can
only be done by someone
who is well versed to
narrate historical origin
and geneology. Kambayok
highlights the contribution
of remarkable people and
the significance of
historical events that has
craft the Maranao culture
to its best. This session is
Kapangobing

Is the traditional means

of expressing one’s love
and adoration to
someone, reciprocated
or not it is the
acceptable means of
customary courtship in
Maranao. It is
perfomred through a
Flute like instrument
made of bamboo.
Kandarangen

Is about the epic tale

“Darangen” reliving the
immortal life of
Bantogen, his death and
his resurrection
comprised with politics
highlighted with
courtship, love and
sacrifices, a valor in his
finest, a depiction
interpreted through
singing and dance,
stories and aesthetics
MARANAO
MUSIC
MARANAO
DANCE
Kaganat sa Darangen

Is the most aristocratic of the Maranao traditional

dances, should be performed by someone who has the
aptitude to move theatrical. Mere movement of fingers
to switching of fans and graceful swaying of the hips all
to deine the obstacle Prince Lomna encountered as he
fought beast mountain when he proposed marriage on
his fathers’ behalf in Guindolongan.
 Kasagyan

Is inspired from the epic Darangen. The enactment of

hero Bantogen as he prepare himself for battle
his enemis. All the movements of a warrior are
illustrated in this particular combative dance, the
holding of the Kampilan armored with shield. The
intense yet graceful expression of the dance
demonstrates discipline and gallantr, a display of
suppressed emotion hungers for victory.
 Kasayaw sa singkil
Is a ritual performed by the princess, to show here agility as
she becomes a woman confirming her aptness. Dancing
singkil is hopping and stepping pattern with graceful hand
and body movement, all to tell a story. It is danced with
accompaniment of bamboo poles clicking and beatin, it
recounts the fateful story of Princess Gandingan who was
caught in the forest during an earthquake caused by the
Diwatas. The crisscrossed clicking bamboo poles represents
the vines and trees she gracefully eluded away from
 Kapmalo-malong

Is the maranao dance that illustrates

different ways of wearing malong, a
functional tubular skirt intricately weaved
worn to special occasions. The dance
highlights Malong’s colorful designs as it is
elegantly worn by both men and women.
MARANAO
DANCE
THANKS FOR
WATCHING

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