Name: Salic, Najma Y.

BSA-2

Indigenous People Living in Iligan City

Iligan city is a melting bowl of interfaith and intercultural community.

It's population of 308,046 within its 44 barangays consist largely of Cebuano,
Bisaya, Maranao’s and few Higaonons tribe.

Higa-onon Tribe

I. Higa-onon’s Culture’s and Traditions

The Higa-onon tribe is one of the major indigenous groups in Iligan City,
in Northern Mindanao in the Philippine Islands. At present, they continue to
live as farmers and are trying to keep their tradition alive. In their development
as a tribe, they were able to develop moral and ethical concepts that became
the backbone of their culture.

Higa-onon Indigenous Peoples believe the Creator or the Supreme Being.

They are following the commandments of God which is the MAGBABAYA- the
creator of the universe. Their faith is anchored to MAGBABAYA Nangadun,
Luminimbag daw Nananghaga. They adore their God through chanting with in
the house of worship. The house of worship is called KUMBA where they can
praise solely to their Creator. The pictures below is a ritual ceremony other
creations called “kapanahod”.
 Higaonon practice a forest management tradition known as panlaoy.
Panlaoy requires immersion in the forest, with participants observing,
documenting and assessing the condition of the ecosystem and any threats to

it.

II. Higa-onon’s Creative Craft and Hand-made Product

Hinabol weaving is an artful

tradition and a source of livelihood for
their families. As the indigenous craft
originated in their community, the skill
of Hinabol weaving has been passed
down from the previous generations of
women. Men, on the other hand, are
responsible in providing raw materials
used for the craft.

III. Specific area in Iligan City where Higa-onon’s are living

The Higa-onon tribe was considered as the city's resident indigenous

tribe. Though they are sporadically found in Barangay Rogongon, most of them
have residences in Sitio Poblacion-the center of barangay activities in the area.
 Maranao Tribe

I. Maranao’s Culture’s and Traditions

Maranao or Meranaw is a term commonly defined as “people of the lake”,

referring to Lake Lanao in the province of Lanao del Sur, hailed as one of the
ancient lakes in the world. They are known for their metal crafts, architecture,
colorful dances, cultural attire, tapestry, distinctive cuisine, and epic literature.

The Sarimanok is a legendary bird

that serves as the symbol of the Maranaos.
Came from the words “sari” (a garment of
different colors deeply related to their
culture) and “manok” (rooster with its
beautiful and colorful feathers), it,
accordingly, represents good fortune and
prosperity and is also an essential trademark
of their art forms.

The cultural dances of maranao are characterized by colors and

instrumental sounds with elegant fabric decorations. Most of the Maranao’s
traditional and cultural dances were created from the Darangen, an ancient
epic of the Maranao community that was well performed at festivals and
occasions for entertainment.

Kapmalo-malong, also known as

Sambi sa Malong, is an elegant cultural
dance that exemplifies different ways of
using malong. Performed by men and
women, the dance highlights malong‘s
colorful designs and how it is worn. To fully
absorb the steps of this dance, one must
learn and understand the significance of
malong, a simple tubular yet highly functional piece of cloth for all Filipino-
Muslim.

One also of the most famous royal

dances of the Maranaos is the singkil, a
popular form of dancing in which the
woman is elegantly dressed and gently
steps in and out of the clipping bamboos
while holding a fan and moving to the
accompaniment of kulintang (a set of
eight small gongs of bronze, on a wooden
stand in the shape of a Sarimanok) and
agung (a set of two wide-rimmed,
vertically suspended gongs used by
Filipino-Muslim) which are the main
instruments used in singkil music.

II. Maranao Creative Craft and Hand-made Products

“Baur” or wooden chest are

produced by maranao. The maranao
baur is a handcarved with intricate
motifs and inlayed with “tipay” or
polished shells.
 “Malong” is a wrap-around
garment worn by everyone and it
called “landap”. What makes “landap”
extra ordinary because of the
handwoven trimmings called
“langkit”.

“Kulintang” is an ensemble
musical instrument. The “Kulintang”
or small melodically arranged gongs,
the “agung” or big songs as well as a
set of drums called “debakan” usually
make up the assemblage.

“Okir” is the design element that

brings together all of its folk art into a
cohesive visual extravaganza. Okir is a
set of leaf, fern or vine motif expressed in
most of its art.

III. Specific area in Iligan City where Maranao’s are living.

Based on my research some maranao’s lived in barangay Bagong Silang,

Bonbonon, Bunawan, Buru-un, Dalipuga, Del Carmen, Digkilaan, Ditucalan,
Dulag, Hinaplanon, Lanipao, Kalilangan, Mahayahay, Tambacan, Tibanga,
Tipanoy, Tubod, Poblacion, Pala-o, Villaverde, Ubaldo Laya, Panoroganan,
Luinab, and some part of Iligan City.

Cebuano/Bisaya Tribe

I. Cebuano’s Culture’s and Traditions

Majority of the Cebuano culture is traditionally characterized as a blend

of Philippine traditions with the influences over Asian culture, Spain and
United States. Cebuanos are known for their devotion to the Holy Child, or the
Senior Santo Niño, whose feast day in January features much street dancing.

Many traditional customs color the life of many Cebuano even from the
day they are born. Children are trained as early as possible on proper conduct,
with the stress placed on obedience, respect for elders, and honesty. Some of
this training has applications in daily life, like when children touch the hands
of elders to their foreheads after praying the Angelus. The education of children
is considered the highest priority in every family and is looked upon as the
means to achieve upward social
mobility. Girls are also expected to
learn domestic skills like cooking,
weaving, laundering, and child care
to prepare them for marriage.
Parents often start raising pigs once
their sons reach 10 years of age to prepare for what should be slaughtered on
their wedding day.

They are also known for celebrating

religious festivals like Sinulog Festival,
Diyandi Festival here in Iligan City and
many more.

II. Cebuano’s Creative Crafts and Hand-made Product

“Miss Marian Native Crafts” is

based from Iligan City, Philippines that
sells Native and Handicraft Products
that are made of Indigenous materials
such as Rattan, Bamboo, Pandan
Leaves, Buri Leaves and many more.

Making handicrafts from abaca

fiber is something that requires all
handwork. It takes time to finish a
product that is creatively made. But
now, women are doing well in the
handmade industry and showing off
beautiful designs and new ideas. The
Barangay Pala-O-based Pabahandi
Women's Association is one of the 10 micro, small, and medium enterprises
(MSMEs) run by women.

Cebuanos have their own version of

weaved baskets, locally known as bakat.
Made of bamboo strips, the native craft is
put together by hand, forming lattice
patterns. Uniquely designed, it boasts of a
hexagonal shape. And many more.

Aside from Cebuano’s creative crafts and hand-made product, Cebuano’s

are known to be some of the friendliest and happiest Filipinos. Filipinos are
generally known for being some of the friendliest people in the world. You will
always find a few locals who are happy to welcome you during your trip to the
Philippines.

III. Specific area in Iligan City where Cebuano’s are living.

In accordance with the Local Government Unit of Iligan City, the

majority tribe living here in Iligan City is the Cebuano’s tribe. Cebuano’s live in
this 44 barangays such as Abuno, Acmac, Bagong Silang, Bonbonon,
Bunawan,, Buru-un, Dalipuga, Del Carmen, Digkilaan, Ditucalan, Dulag,
Hinaplanon, Hindang, Kabacsanan, Kalilangan, Kiwalan, Lanipao, Luinab,
Mahayahay, Mainit ,Mandulog ,Maria Cristina, Pala-o, Panoroganan,
Poblacion, Puga-an, Rogongon, San Miguel, San Roque, Santiago, Saray-
Tibanga (Saray), Santa Elena (Tominobo-Ilaya), Santa Filomena,Santo Rosario,
Suarez, Tambacan, Tibanga (Canaway), Tipanoy, Tomas Cabili, Tubod, Ubaldo
Laya, Upper Hinaplanon, Upper Tominobo, and Villaverde.
References:

https://iliganparadise.weebly.com/people--culture.html

https://news.mongabay.com/2023/03/indigenous-youths-keep-ancient-
forestry-traditions-alive-in-the-philippines/#:~:text=In%20the%20southern
%20Philippines

https://higaononunitedphilippines.wordpress.com/culture-and-tradition/

https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/sarimanok-rising-the-colorful-
culture-of-maranaos/

http://www.traveltrilogy.com/2019/01/maranao-arts-and-crafts.html

https://gladcebu.wordpress.com/2014/04/15/cebuanos-culture/

https://www.yodisphere.com/2022/08/Cebuano-Culture-Bisaya-Kultura.html

https://www.travelingcebu.com/festivals-in-cebu.html

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/388998486538647652/
https://pia.gov.ph/features/2023/03/09/advancing-women-empowerment-in-
iligan-thru-promoting-handicrafts

https://www.pap.ph/assets/files/journals/sugboanong-taras-a-glimpse-of-
cebuano-personality.pdf