AUTONOMOUS REGION OF MUSLIM MINDANAO

Region's Geographical Background

 Is composed of five provinces namely: Basilan, Lanao del Sur,
Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi.

Its capital is Cotabato City even if its outside the ARMM

jurisdiction.

 The region was established on August 1, 1989 through RA
6734 also known as Organic Act in pursuance with a
constitutional mandate to provide an Autonomous area in
Mindanao.
AREA
Land Area: 26,974 km² (10,415 sq mi)
LOCATION
Located at the Southwesternmost tip of the
archipelago.
Bounded by Lanao del Norte and Sulu Sea on the
north, northwest Bukidnon, Cotabato on the east,
Sultan Kudarat and Celebes Sea on the south.
POPULATION: 3,256,140

ETHNIC GROUPS: Maguindanaos, Maranaos,

Badjaos, Tirurays, Tausugs, Jama- mapuns

LANGUAGES: Tausug, Samal, Cebuano, Tagalog

Region's Breif History
1380- Muslims arrived in Tawi-tawi and natives
converted to Islam

1457- Sultanate of Sulu was established then

Maguindanao and Buayan followed

These Sultanates resisted Spanish colonialism. Sulu

recognized its sovereignty not until the last quarter of
19th century.
The people collectively called themselves " Bangsamoro
" to identify themselves under the Islamic law and
culture. They resisted the three colonizers and
nevertheless wasn't annexed into the Philippine
government after the declaration of Independence. Most
of its territories have been separate so they were able to
develop their own identity.
It was opened to Christians during Ramon Magsaysay's
term as part of his economic reforms.

1970's ( Marcos regime) when tensions escalated

between government forces and the MNLF ( Moro
National Liberation Font ). This prompted the president
to issue a proclamation that created Autonomous
Region in Southern Mindanao.
August 1,1989- creation of Autonomous Region
in Muslim Mindanao through RA 6734 also known
as Organic Act.
PROVINCES OF THE REGION
 BASILAN

Capital: LAMITAN CITY

Total Land Area: 1,379 km²
Location: North of Zamboanga del Sur, East of Moro
Gulf, West of Sulu Sea, and South of Mindanao Sea
Ethnic groups: YAKAN, TAUSUG, ZAMBOANGUEÑO
Languages:TAUSUG, CHAVACANO, SAMAL
CULTURES
The cultures are derived from the three cultural
ethnolinguistic nations, the Yakan, Suluanon Tausug and
the Zamboangueño in the Southern Philippines. Both
Yakans and Tausugs are predominantly Muslims, joined
by their kin from the Sama, Badjao, Maranao, and other
Muslim ethnolinguistic groups of Mindanao, while the
Zamboangueños are primarily Christian, joined by the
predominantly Christian ethnolinguistic groups; the
Cebuano, Ilocano, Tagalog and others. These three main
groups, however,represents Basilan's tri-people or tri-
ethnic group community.
SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIES
Basilan is known for its coconut and rubber
plantations and agricultural crops, which are exported
throughout the country and even abroad. Important
local products include rubber latex, palm oil,and
coffee.
Basilan is also rich in marine resources and they
also exports fish and other underwater creatures
to Zamboanga and nearby areas.
Basilan is the head quarters of the Menzi Agricultural
Corporations, which operates harvesting and
processing facilitates for the surrounding areas.
ECONOMIC STATUS
Basilan, although classified as a 3rd-class province in terms
of gross provincial income, has one of the lowest incidences
of poverty in the Philippines (26.19% of the general
population) , ranked 20 among the Philippines 80 provinces. (
In comparison, Maguindanao which is ranked last at number
80 has a poverty incidence of 44.24% ). The gap between
Basilan's rich and poor residents are among the narrowest in
the country ( ranked 3rd nationwide), pointing to one of the
most equitable distributions of wealth anywhere in the
country ( Gini coefficient 0.2826, which is slightly better than
the provinces of Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac,
Cavite, Batanes and Batangas).
 LANAO DEL SUR
Capital: MARAWI CITY
Total Land Area: 3,850 km²
Location: North of Lanao del Norte, East of Bukidnon,
West of Illiana Bay, and South of Maguindanao and
Cotabato
Ethnic groups:MARANAO( literally People of the
Lake)
Languages: MARANAO, CEBUANO
CULTURES
Lanao Del Sur is the homeland of the Maranao
people. It is a wealth of old-world charms. Is
considered as a universe of exquisite folk arts of
the region; from ostentatious royal houses to
the tiniest detail in their gongs, Maranao arts
and crafts carry the stories of its vibrant culture.
 MAGUINDANAO

Capital: SULTAN KUDARAT

Total Land Area: 5,474 km²
Location: North of Cotabato, East of Lanao del Sur, West
of Moro Gulf, and South of Sultan Kudarat
Ethnic groups: LUMAD, VISAYAN, OTHER MORO TRIBES(
SUCH AS MARANAO, IRANUN)
Languages: MAGUINDANAO, CHAVACANO, CEBUANO,
FILIPINO
CULTURES
Most Maguindanao follow standard Islamic beliefs
and practices, but the native Maguindanaons
persevere to a form of folk Islam, their beliefs in
spirits, sorcery, and supernatural beings is still
evident in their culture and ceremonies.
The apo na palay, or grandfather of the rice, is a
member who conducts rituals and chants incantations
over the rice fields at night to ensure a good harvest.
 During month of Ramadan, all tribe member will
participate in various ceremonies that are associated
with fasting.
Ceremonies during celebration of birth, marriage, and
death have both indigenous and Islamic beliefs and
rituals.
Maguindanaons celebrate the Shariff Kabunsuan
Festival, an extraordinary display of Muslim religion and
culture.
 SULU

Capital: JOLO
Total Land Area:1,600.4 km²
Location: North and West of Sulu Sea , East of
Mindanao Sea, and South of Celebes Sea
Ethnic groups: MORO ( Samal, Tausug, Yakan), BAJAU,
AND ZAMBOANGUEÑO CHAVACANO
Languages: CHAVACANO, SAMAL, TAUSUG, YAKAN
CULTURES
The native inhabitants on the island are the Tausug
people. The Tausugs are part of the larger Moro group
which dominates the Sulu Archipelago. The Moro had
an independent state known as the Sultanate of Sulu,
which was politically and economically centered in
Jolo, the residence for Sulu Sultanates.
 The strong-willed Tausug follow the Sunni Islamic
beliefs and practices, Sunni Islam is the largest brach
of Islam, the word Sunni comes from the word
Sunnah meaning tradition.
The Tausugs also believe in spirits that inhabits
nature, especially rocks and trees. In addition, they
also believed on various charms and beliefs in spirits,
in order to gain success and good fortune.
 They believed that the body of the deceased will go
to hell, to receive punishment for the sins committed
while he was living.
The Pangalay, a traditional Tausug wedding dance
and popularly known as the fingernails dance is one
of the most well known dances, accompanied by a
kulintang ensemble.
 TAWI-TAWI

Capital: BONGAO
Total Land Area: 1,087.40 km²
Location: North and West of Sulu Sea , East and
South of Celebes Sea
Ethnic groups: YAKANS, TAUSUGS
Languages: CHAVACANO, BAJAU-SINAMA, TAUSUG,
ZAMBOANGUEÑO
CULTURES
The Sama are the original inhabitants of the Tawi-
Tawi archipelago. The term Sama is derived from the
word sama-sama meaning togetherness. They are
cohesive and peace-loving people.
Gongs and kulinang are valued musical instruments
of the Sama.
Unity prevails among the Sama subgrounds despite
the differences in ancestry and culture. And Islam is
the faith that binds them together.
 Women wears particular wardrobe which includes
sambra (short-sleeved summer blouse) , sawwal
(long,loose pants) , badju kuput (tight-fitting blouse) ,
sablay (long,loose-sleeve blouse) , and tadjung (wrap
around) with the accompaniment of gold jewelry
such as sing-sing, gallang (bracelet), kut-kullung
(neclace), and aritis (earing).
FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS IN ARMM
 MEGUYAYA FESTIVAL (At UPI,MAGUINDANAO
during December 19)

Meguyaya Festival was conceptualized sometime in 2004

purposely to help boost the tourism program of the
municipality, and to serve as a window to showcase the
economic potential of the area such as pleasant climate all
year round, wide agricultural lands, built-up areas, open
glass land, forest land fall, caves, lake springs, rivers and
creeks, marine and mineral products, agricultural products,
particularly corn, palay.
 KARIYALA FESTIVAL (WAO, LANAO DEL SUR
during February 22)

Kalilang ang Kariyala both means " merrymaking and

thanksgiving ". This universal expression of
thanksgiving for the triumphs, abundance, prosperity,
or any form of blessings received.
 KALILANG SA RANAO (MARAWI CITY during
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 craft, native delicacies, traditional games and
musical instruments competition
LAMI-LAMIHAN FESTIVAL (LAMITAN, BASILAN
during June 26-27)

A yearly festival coinciding with the founding of

Lamitan Municipality; showcases the traditional
yakan customs and traditions, music and dances, and
traditional crafts.
SEAWEED FESTIVAL (BONGAO, TAWI-TAWI
during September 25)

Also known as Agal-agal Festival, a thanksgiving

festivity for its good harvest.Showcases region's
economic potential, culture, costums and
traditions, among others.
 SHEIK KARIMUL MAKDUM FESTIVAL (SIMUNUL,
TAWI-TAWI during November 7)

Is celebrated in commemoration for his good deeds

for bringing Islam to the land. Sheik Karimul
Makhdum established the first mosque in the
Philippines, located in Tubig Indangan, Simunul,
Tawi-Tawi.
 SHARIFF KABUNSUAN FESTIVAL
( MAGUINDANAO during December 19)

Is a commemoration of the arrival of Arab-Malay

missionary from Johore, Malaysia in the 16th century,
landed along the banks of pulangi now known as Rio
Grande de Mindanao. Shariff Kabunsuan introduced
Islam to the natives,which leads to the establishment
of the sultanates of Maguindanao, Rajah Buayan and
Kabuntalan.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
MALAMAWI BEACH
LAMPINIGAN ISLAND
BULINGAN FALLS
BLUE LAGOON
PINK MOSQUE
LAKE LANAO
DODIONGAN FALLS
STA. ISABEL DE PORTUGAL
CATHEDRAL
BASILAN CAPITOL
SIIT LAKE