SUBANEN HISTORYA Legend of the Subanen "Buklog" The term Subanen is given to a group of Philippine ethnic tribes that inhabits areas in Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte penin-sula and the mountain areas of Misamis Occidental on the island ofMindanao. Subanen means ”riverdweller."The tale of the origin of the buklog came from the Subanens inthe municipality of Lapuyan, located on the northern shore of Duman-quilas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur. The name Lapuyan is derived from the Subanen word gepuyan, which means "a place for cooking."Long ago, when the Subanen were still in their hunting and fishing stage, they would come to the bank of the river to cook their food after a long and tiring hunt for wild pigs in the area. They called the placegepuyan, which in turn became the name tubig gepuyan which was later Hispanized to Rio de Lapuyan or Lapuyan river. One of the ancient Subanen leaders who settled along the coast on thebanks of the Lapuyan river was Gomotan Raja.2 A tall balono tree whichwas believed to have been planted by him several centuries ago is stillstanding on the bank of Canon creek, a tributary of Lapuyan river.At about this time other Subanen leaders were settling in otherparts of Zamboanga del Sur. One of them was Gomotan Sangira. Hesettled in Megusan near Kumalarang and later his clan occupied the Guillian hill near Lapuyan. Gomotan Sangira had three sons, Pala-ganding and Rainding, who were twins, Gomeed, and a sister namedBulaw.3 They were known to be good swordsmen, and tales have been • • The evolution of the name "Zamboanga" provides an interesting insight into its historical background. The early Malay settlers called the region "Jambangan",which means Land of the Flowers. These Malays who built their settlements by the river banks were the subanons, that is the "People of the River". Their chief, Saragan, lived with his family atop the legendary Mount Pulumbato that today lords over Pasonanca and Climaco Freedom Park (formerly Abong-Abong Park) then later on, the Samals and the Badjaos who came on their frail vintas also settled here, building their frail huts along the shorelines and confused "Jambangan" with "Samboangan" which comes from the word "Sabuan", the wooden pole used to help push their vintas in shallow waters or to tie them for anchorage purposes. Subanen • • • • • The original people of Zamboanga were the Subanen of Indonesian origin who came at about 2,000 to 6,000 years ago. They were coastal people who believe in the spirit of their ancestors and the forces of nature. When the Muslims arrived, they were pushed into the hinterlands and lived along the riverbanks. Thus, the name ?Suba,? meaning people of the river. The Subanens who communicate through their Subano language prefer and wear colorful clothes and accessories. Black, red, and white are their favorite colors. The women often wear red earrings that match with beaded necklaces. Like other tribes, Subanens have their own entertainment or way of enjoying life. They like music. The Ginarang or Migboat, Basimba, Gatagan and Sirdel or Sumumigaling are some of their songs. These are sung with the accompaniment of their instruments like Gong, Kutapi, Sigitan, Lantoy, Kulaying and Tambubok. court through songs and dances. Their marriage custom is done through taltal. But aside from their court dance, they also have war and ritual dances that they perform during social gatherings and special occasions such as weddings, etc. • The tribe?s political structure consists of a Timuay equivalent to the barangay captain that we have today. The Timuay tries cases involving crimes and moral turpitude. In case the Timuay cannot decide on the case or if the case involves heinous crimes, he does not give the final verdict. • Subanen was established in Mindanao Island before 500 BC, [4] before the Neolithic Era, or New Stone Age where the period in the development of human technology taken place beginning 10,000 BC according to the ASPRO chronology (between 4,500 and 2,000 BC). The evidence of old stone tools in Zamboanga del Norte may indicate a late Neolithic presence. Burial jars, both earthen and glazed, as well as Chinese celadons, have been found in caves, together with shell bracelets, beads, and gold ornaments. Many of the ceramic wares are from the Yuan and Ming periods. Evidently, there was a long history of trade between the Subanon and the Chinese long before the latter’s contact with Islam. • For some time before the Spaniards came during the period of colonial rule, the Subanon had trade contacts with the Tausug and the Maranao. As they are under the protection of the Sultanate of Maguindanao, they also provide materials, warriors and help in the war efforts of the Sultanate. They are also entitled to share in the war spoils. • The coming of Spain to the Philippines as a colonial power complicated the picture. The Spanish colonial government sought to extend its sovereignty over the whole of southern Philippines. Declaring its intention to “protect” the un-Christianized, non-Muslim Subanen of the Sibuguey (now Zamboanga) peninsula, the government under General Valeriano Weyler constructed a series of fortifications across the Tukuran isthmus “for the purpose of shutting out the Malanao Moros. . . from the Subanon country, and preventing further destructive raids upon the peaceful and industrious peasants of these hills” (Finley 1913:4). Spanish military control of the Tukuran garrison and fortifications ended in 1899, under the terms of the Treaty of Paris. ECONOMIC LIFE Where orchards. bananas. resin. and use the fiber for making ropes.• The Subanen people are farmers. ornaments. chickens. as it is with other Mindanao groups. or exchanging for finished products in the barter trade. the Subanen have been known to cultivate coconuts for food and for trading purposes. Within the same area. the Subanon identify three distinct seasons within the agricultural cycle: pendupi. notably the constellation Orion. According to the legend. the Subanen resort to gathering buri and lumbia or lumbay. timway) is also use in Maguindanao word which means “chief” or “leader. POLITICAL LIFE • Subanen society is patriarchal. Swidden farming is the norm in the interior. both wet and dry agriculture is found. the hot and dry season. • Further inland.” It connotes both civil and religious authority for the bearer of the title. and pemeres. but they are also known to raise livestock including pigs. . which are palm types with a pith along the entire length that is a rich source of starchy flour. and small plantations are cultivated. papayas.and valley-dwelling Subanen. The authority of the timuay does not correspond to a particular territory. the appearance of this star group signals the time for the clearing of a new swidden. (Finley 1913:25). plus the wax. Lacking rice. Sometimes there are crop failures. Chinese jars. an association or confederation of families forms a community. axes. the Subanon subsist on root crops and bananas. tobacco is planted. on the one hand. weaving cloth. eggplant. and trade between the two has been going on for hundreds of years. his authority may expand or decrease. • Trade between the mountain. They study wind patterns. a time of winds and northeast monsoon rains. cassava. with rice as the most important crop. particularly along the riverbanks. and rattan they can gather from the forest are brought to the coastal stores and traded for cloth. It was during his time that the Moros first appeared in Nawang. • An old Subanen legend tells about the possible origins of this ancient trade. The word “timuay” (variously spelled timuai. and lanzones provide the Subanen additional food. The people supplement their income and their food supply by fishing. Subanen houses are built along hillsides and ridges overlooking family fields. There is no political hierarchy on the village level. Beyond the coasts. The timuay invokes this authority in cases of violations of social norms. pineapples. hunting. Based on their native methods of meteorology. because of their marked preference for rice above all other staples. The Subanen can also gather sago in the forests. violations of contracts. the community of families under his authority may expand. The extra rice they can produce. Along the coasts. and most likely had knowledge of pottery making. as a result of drought or infestation by pests. and other offenses. and water buffaloes. • The relationship between natural phenomena and the agricultural cycle is well established in the folk knowledge of the Sindangan Subanen. depending on the number of families which put themselves under his authority. The coming of the Moros to Zamboanga was recorded to have taken place in 1380. miyan. porcelain. blades. This is extracted and processed into food. from December to January. and ubi (yam) are also grown. looking out for tell-tale signs of imminent weather changes. gardens. The monthly rotation of the stars is a guide for the swidden cycle during the first months of the year (Casal 1986:36). cattle. as in the datu system of government. • If the timuay proves to be an efficient and popular leader. and the coastal people of Zamboanga. Timuay is the traditional title for the communal leader who is also the chief arbiter of conflict between the families of a community or a confederation. sugarcane. jackfruit. as well as the amount of labor and attention they devote to their rice lands. In some places. He ruled over his people long before the Moros and the Spaniards appeared on Subanen land. and gongs. He lived near a place called Nawang (which later became Zamboanga). melons. from June to September. the first Subanen chieftain was a giant named Tabunaway. • • Casal (1986) refers to the Subanen of Sindangan Bay in Zamboanga del Norte as “possibly the most riceconscious” of all Philippine groups. wet agriculture with plow and carabao is the method of producing their staple rice. or made into preserves and sweets. The Moros wanted to exchange the fish they caught at sea. They also grow hemp or abaca. timuway. gabi (taro). There are also varieties of wild edible roots in the woodlands. • The title of timuay may be recalled by the community and given to another tasked with the responsibility of leading the community. betel boxes. particularly the uplands. • This was the beginning of trade between the Subanon and the Moros. The Subanen are mainly agriculturists who practice three types of cultivation. boiled. Among the Subanen. Apart from the principal crops raised—which are mountain rice and corn—the root crops camote. and yams on the same rocks for the Moros to take. They cultivate crops. squash. The Subanen tasted the fish. The Subanen also reckon agricultural time by the stars. characterized by winds blowing from the southwest. coconuts are raised aside from rice. These are roasted. such as affronts or insults. They sailed upriver until they reached the place of Tabunaway and his people. The title of datu was used occasionally in the past during the Sultanate. Before the rice harvest in September. They then put their own food of rice. • The ancestors of the Subanen practiced dry agriculture. from March to April. the Moro exchanges goes back many centuries. corn becomes an additional crop aside from the first two. for their flour. Under his leadership. with the fruits and other products of Nawang. • Along the coastal area. They placed their catch on rocks and waited for the Subanon to come down from the hills. and liked it. and gathering of forest products. In some coastal settlements. with the family as the basic governmental unit. The grains stored in bins or jars do not last long. abduction of the wife. and diwata (deities). • This. married or not. mainly in the production of food. and. In fact. such as constructing a house. • The family as a corporate unit comes to an end through divorce. regional issues confronting the entire Subanen group. In the nonmaterial realm exist the kanagkilawan (supernaturals). and therefore are not covered by inheritance. The tribe has no religion although it is believed that they had a holy book at one time. A bigger group of interacting communities may contain as many as 50 households. mitibug (spirits). • In place of a hierarchy or pantheon of supreme beings. • In recent times. Once the bride-price is determined. in later times. the swidden field. By the mere fact that they live in a neighborhood. but who can be perceived and addressed by the balian (medium or shaman). then. a partial delivery of the articles included in the agreement may be made. The supernatural beings are of four kinds: gimuud (souls). jewelry. There are many such communities in Subanen society. so that they may over time develop as efficient arbitrators of disputes. Subanons have little social stratification. to be completed when the actual marriage takes place. • • Family properties which are covered by inheritance consist mainly of acquired Chinese jars. there were several attempts to organize the Subanon into politically administered towns or villages. Today the Subanen people have adopted either Catholic [7] or Islam. • Socioeconomic needs bring about close relationships in Subanen society.• Consequently.[6] • A neighborhood of 5 to 12 households becomes a unit of social organization. is deemed temporary. which is usually determined by proximity to the swidden fields. young Subanen who marry break off from their families and start their own families in other places. Such was the premium the Subanen put on the independence of the individual family. After the marriage ceremonies have been held. or a combination of both. getautelunan (demons). and men can cook and care for the children when necessary. which may be in the form of cash or goods. Spouses can expect assistance in many activities from both their parents and their kin. During the Spanish and American colonization. It is considered a blessing to have more daughters than sons because the father will be able to recover the dowry he paid for his wife. non-relatives become associates in activities that cannot be done by the head of the family alone. members may intervene to mediate. but these attempts were resisted by the people. with a complex system of interrelationships between these two cosmic elements. and they in turn extend their help to these relatives when it is needed. The contracting families go through preliminaries for the purpose of determining the brideprice.[ SOCIO-CULTURAL LIFE • Subanens do not practice division of labor based on sex. • • • The Subanen cosmogony exemplifies the basic duality of mortal life and spiritual realm. and holding a feast. “when a family becomes dissatisfied with the conduct and control of the chief. The surviving widow can be married to a brother. Men and women work in the fields together. Religious Beliefs and Practices The tribe believes in a supreme being they call "Diwata Migbebaya". the father secedes and places his family under the domination of some other timuay” (Finley 1913:25). Non-relatives are expected to give and receive the same kind of help. Those Subanen who adopted Islam are known as the Kolibugan or Kalibugan. currency. or the parents of the deceased wife almost immediately marries off to the widower one of their unmarried daughters or nieces. the couple can select their own place of residence. The man is required to render service to his wife’s parents. who become sick and whose ailments are attributed to supranatural causes. because the Subanen family moves from place to place. The ownership of cultivated land. and become recognized as such by this neighborhood. Everyone is equal in the Subanon community because everyone has the same family for several years if he cannot afford to pay the shamaya. Negotiations are undertaken between the two sets of parents through the mediation of a go-between who is not related to either family. Marriage in Subanen society is through parental arrangement. clearing the field. Spirits and deities are said to inhabit the most striking natural features which are considered the . which can take place even before the parties reach the age of puberty. and some Subanen who were traditionally animist have since adopted Catholism. The physical world is inhabited by the kilawan (visible mortals). Highly politicized Subanen leaders have been active in organizing their people and coordinating with non-government organizations of tribal advocates. or death of either spouse. These issues include the defense of the Subanen ancestral domain against the encroachments of loggers and mining companies. the Subanen believe in the spirits who are part of nature. the Subanen timuay have been confronted with concerns ranging from local issues affecting their particular community to larger. But it can be immediately reconstituted through remarriage. After a certain period of matrilocal residence. of the deceased husband. who are not visible to ordinary mortals. where members engage in frequent interactions. is the basis of Subanon patriarchal society: the absolute authority of the father to assert the supremacy of family rights within a community voluntarily organized under a designated timuay. the newlyweds stay with the girl’s household. There is a general belief that all human beings should marry. In cases of dispute. gongs. and the wedding feast celebrated. and necessitated by the practice of shifting agriculture. planting. and Keg Sumba neg Sandayo (The Tale of Sandayo). It employs fancy movements. The soten is an all-male dance dramatizing the strength and stoic character of the Subanon male. as in any traditional shamanistic culture. a hollowed log which is beaten like a drum. the Ag Tobig nog Keboklagan (The Kingdom of Keboklagan). and the drums. or to ask for such a harvest as well as other favors from the diwata. • • • • • Dance among the Subanen fulfills a multitude of ceremonial and ritual functions. • To date. the kolintang. The weaving loom is set up inside the house. and the durugan. so that his acceptance into the spirit world may be facilitated. The pangalitawao is a courtship dance of the Subanen of Zamboanga del Sur. who is more often a woman. the balian stops. three Subanen epics have been recorded and published: The Guman of Dumalinao. such as unusually large trees. Visual Arts and Crafts • Unlike the glazed imported jars in some households. The balian. The clapping sequence is similar to that of the tinikling or bamboo dance. chant prayers. known as bichara (assembly or meeting). The balian.handiwork of the gods. The Subanen forge has bamboo bellows. and the epics. The finer metalcraft possessed by the Subanen. which include the dionli (a love song). with the women holding shredded banana leaves in each hand. split rattan. Every household has at least one woman who is knowledgeable in the art of pottery. The women shape round baskets from materials of different colors. But the Subanen also produce some of their weapons and implements. • Several types of baskets may be found in a typical Subanen house. or to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. long tales which are of a serious character. such as the nito vine. kampilan. Guman contains 4. • Vocal music includes the chants for the epic. • Performing Arts • Subanen musical instruments include the gagong. occupies a very special place in Subanen religious and social life.062 verses. and sometimes wood or tree bark.577. They whisk dried palm leaves (See logo of this article). with the left hand clutching a wooden shield and the right hand shaking dried leaves of palm. is the lead performer in almost all Subanen dance rituals. short. They are also acknowledged to have the power of raising the dead. frenzied shaking of palm leaves. Most important of the ritual dances is the buklog which is performed on a platform at least 6–10 meters above the ground. It is up to the balian to recall the straying soul. stories recounted for their sheer entertainment value. a set of eight small brass gongs of graduated sizes. and several types of songs. and peaks of very tall mountains. All performed during the week-long buklog. • The active relationship between ordinary mortals and the supernaturals begins when an individual falls sick. CHAVACANO HISTORY Chavacano or Chabacano [tʃaβaˈkano] is a Spanish-based creole language spoken in the Philippines. have been obtained through trade with the Moro. The Subanen believe that an ailing person’s soul momentarily departs from the person’s body. The diwata is a dance performed by Subanon women in Zamboanga del Norte before they set out to work in the swidden. Cotton thread—spun from cotton by womenusing the distaff crafted by men—and abaca fiber are commonly used. Upon reaching a feverish climax. which are struck together in rhythmic cadence by the male dancers. and barong. The word Chabacano is derived from Spanish. The balae is a dance performed by young Subanon women looking for husbands. huge rocks balancing on a small base. The soul then becomes a spirit. They also use steel. and giloy (a funeral song for a dead chieftain). isolated caves. The most expensive ritual of the Subanon. Her trance dance involves continuous chanting.590. such as bladed weapons like the kris. and who turns out jars as required by domestic needs. peculiarly shaped mounds of earth. In this dance. The farmers carry baskets laden with grains. the buklog is held to commemorate a dead person. especially in making blade edges. One buwa sung by the Subanon of the Sindangan Bay goes: • To be at peace with the diwata of the tribe. bamboo. whose sound is supposed to please the deities into granting their wishes. for the Chavacano language which was developed in • Cavite City • Ternate • Zamboanga • Ermita . Before cotton was introduced by Muslim and Christian traders. usually performed during harvest time and in other social occasions. • Cloth weaving is basically similar to the style of the neighboring Muslim region. meaning "poor taste". they supplicate the diwata for a bountiful harvest. buwa (lullaby). while the sot is a dance performed by Subanon men before going off to battle. Keboklagan 7. and proceeds to give instructions dictated by the diwata to the people. snaps out of her trance. They dart in and out of two bamboo planting sticks laid on the ground. and chopping knives called pes. reintegrate it with the ailing person so that the illness could end. a single brass gong. or the brandishing of a bolo alternated with the flipping of red pieces of cloth. the Subanen perform ritual dances. the patient dies. while the men hold a kalasay in their right hand. sing songs. The lapal is a dance of the balian as a form of communication with the diwata. the Subanen used abaca fiber for their clothing and blankets. and Sandayo 6. while the anvil is made of wood with an iron piece on top where the hot metal is worked into shape. and play their drums and gongs. often humorous. Failing this. Literary Arts • Subanen oral literature include the folktales. the indigenous earthenware of the Subanen are simpler in execution and design. "vulgar". The balian are believed to be capable of visiting the skyworld to attend the great gatherings of the deities. Traditional costumes are worn. The Chavacano languages in the Philippines are creoles based on Mexican Spanish and Portuguese. the Zamboangueño Chavacano was infused with Ilonggo words as the previous migrant community was assimilated. and in Semporna-Sabah. while its grammar is mostly based on other Philippine languages. particularly in Ermita) to distinguish it from the Spanish language spoken by the peninsulares. • This common name has evolved into a word of its own in different spellings with no negative connotation. • Chavacano or Chabacano • During the Spanish colonial period. or "lenguaje de cocina" (kitchen Spanish to refer to the Chabacano spoken by Chinese-Filipinos of Manila. The other dialects of Chavacano which have. the reduplication. primarily Ilonggo. Ternateño in Ternate. Bahra or Ternateño (spoken in Ternate. or the elite class called the ilustrados. • Zamboangueño is spoken in Zamboanga City.etc.It also derived from the word chavano which was coined by the people of Zamboanga. Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte. Davaoeño Zamboangueño / Castellano Abakay in Davao City. Although Zamboangueño Chavacano's contact with Cebuano began much earlier when Cebuano soldiers were stationed at Fort Pilar during the Spanish colonial period. taxes levied by the Spanish colonial government on the islands' inhabitants to support the fort's operations. and Zamboanga del Sur. . primarily. parts of Sulu Province and Tawi-Tawi Province. • Dialects • This creole has six dialects. However. it was called by the Spanish-speaking population as the "lenguaje del calle". has a major influence from the Portuguese language and the language of Ternate in Indonesia since the speakers of the said dialect are the descendants of the Indonesian soldiers brought by the Spaniards in the area. most words are common with Andalusian Spanish. in particular. Its vocabulary. or "coarse". which are not to be found in Andalusian Spanish. Among Philippine languages. It has survived for more than 400 years. Bombardment and harassment from pirates and raiders of the sultans of Mindanao and Jolo and the determination to spread Christianity further south (as Zamboanga was a crucial strategic location) of the Philippines forced the Spanish missionary friars to request reinforcements from the colonial government. mestizos. This can be seen in the use of the word 'na' instead of the Spanish 'en'. "of low quality". Cotabateño in Cotabato City and Ermiteño in Ermita. making it one of the oldest creole languages in the world. it is the only one which does not belong to the family of Austronesian languages. Cebuano as their substrate language are the Mindanao-based creoles of which are Castellano Abakay or Chavacano de Davao (spoken in some areas of Davao). Caviteño in Cavite City. making it one of the oldest creole languages in the world. has influences from Italian. Both Cotabateño and Davaoeño evolved from Zamboangueño. although it shows a characteristic common to the sub-classification of Malayo-Polynesian languages. Zamboanga City became a permanent foothold of the Spanish government with the construction of the San José Fortress. and Cotabateño (spoken in Cotabato City). instead of Spanish 'mono'). "lenguaje de parian" (language of the street). but to simply mean as the name of the language with that distinct Spanish flavour. it was not until closer to the middle of the 20th century that borrowings from Cebuano accelerated as a result of more migration from the Visayas as well as the current migration from other Visayan-speaking areas of the Zamboanga Peninsula. • Most of what appears to be Cebuano words in Zamboangueño Chavacano are actually Ilonggo. but there are many words borrowed from Nahuatl. etc. although it shows a characteristic common to the sub-classification of Malayo-Polynesian languages. When these Caviteño officers recruited workers and technicians from Iloilo to man their sugar plantations and rice fields to reduce the local population's dependence on the Donativo de Zamboanga. Tagalog and Cebuano. Cavite) and Ermiteño (once spoken in the old district of Ermita in Manila and is now extinct). this dialect has an influence from Chinese and Japanese. Six different dialects have developed: Zamboangueño in Zamboanga City. a language native to Central Mexico. Basilan Province. most of its earlier speakers were born of mixed parentage – Hispanized urbane natives. • Zamboangueño Chavacano emanated from Caviteño Chavacano as evidenced by prominent Zamboangueño families who descended from Spanish Army officers (From Spain and Latin-America). as can be evidenced by the words chongo (monkey. "common". • Many of the words in the Chavacano vocabulary are mostly derived from Mexican Spanish. it is the only one which does not belong to the family of Austronesian languages. Linguistic significance • The Chavacano language is the only Spanish-based creole in Asia. primarily Caviteño mestizos. The three known dialects of Chavacano which have Tagalog as their substrate language are the Luzon-based creoles of which are Caviteño (spoken in Cavite City). • The highest number of Chavacano speakers are found in Zamboanga City and in the island province of Basilan. Their classification is based on their substrate languages and the regions where they are commonly spoken. • Linguistic significance • The Chavacano language is the only Spanish-based creole in Asia. Chinese migrants and Spanish or Latin American soldiers and civil servants during the Spanish colonial period. • On 23 June 1635. In some Chavacano languages. and with the subsequent migration of Ilonggo traders to Zamboanga. Taino. insulares. Malaysia. It has survived for more than 400 years. Among Philippine languages. Quechua. originated from the Spanish word chabacano which literally means "poor taste".[citation needed] The vocabulary of the Ternateño dialect. however. stationed at Fort Pilar in the 19th century. Portuguese and the Native American languages Nahuatl. the reduplication. tiange (mini markets). Cavite. "vulgar". also divided into two sub-dialects namely Castellano Abakay Chino and Castellano Abakay Japón. • Thru inter-marriage among themselves and with the Spanish.characterized by excessive pride. and Aristocratic behavior. Spanish folk art. as well as a feeling of superiority . they also found their new language called Chavano and eventually evolve into Chavacano. a Zamboangueño Expression of Holy Week. a perfectly respectable Zamboangueño Latino caballero (gentleman) would not sit unless permitted to do so by the woman’s parents. Zamboangueño men have adapted to wearing the formal Barong Tagalog. when the construction of the present-day Fort Pilar begun. procession or parade. • Zamboangueño songs and dances are derived primarily from Spanish/Iberian performances. her shoulders draped demurely by a luxuriously embroidered. They are mostly devout Roman Catholics. as a new people with distinct Ethnic Race and Identity called. worn by men throughout the Philippines. includes their bailes the baile-valse. Juegos. though stiff. credentials. Men wear close-necked jackets as they called Camiseta Zamboangueño. Zamboangueños celebrate Christmas in so many uniquely ways such as the Villancicos / Aguinaldos o Pastores this also includes the dia de navideña y noche buena.000. fiestas. devotion towards Jesus through songs and believes that the Catholic faith is the true religion and lastly devoted to Sñra. blouses. The Zamboangueños constitute an authentic and distinct ethnolinguistic identity for two reasons: claim to a distinct language. Cavite. they are of Austronesian stock numbering around 850. Zamboangueño. Propensity for extravagance. and occupation. . are regularly presented during fiestas and formal "tertulias" or other Zamboangueño festivities. The skirt tapers down from the waist but continues on to an extended trail called the "cola". thus. fondas. and feasting. Zamboanga City consider to be the birthplace of the Zamboangueño Chavacano Language and as a new Cultural Ethno-Linguistic Group. Panay and other islands were brought to the city to help build the fort . boastfulness. denim jeans and sneakers for men. the Dia de Zamboanga and Dia de Los Zamboangueños/Chavacanos which is celebrated every 15 August every year for foundation of Zamboanga and birth of the Zamboangueño People on 15 of August 1635. and European style shoes. RELIGION • Zamboangueño are mostly Christians. the courtship curfew. fiestas and Roman Catholicism. he then had to endure questions pertaining to his lineage. Fiesta Pilar a festivity in honor to Sñra. Fiestas. The colonial Spanish government ordered the construction of a military fort to guard off the city from moro pirates and slave raiders of Sulu. • The Zamboangueño courtship traditions are elaborate and regulated by a long list of required social graces. Although the product of Spanish colonization in southern Philippines. so to speak. Love for one's Cultural Heritage. who are mostly devoted Roman Catholics. Bohol. these includes watching peliculas all about Jesus and his teachings. panuelo and fastened at the breast by a brooch or a medal. colloquial. Novenas and the climbing and praying at the Estaciones de Cruz in Mt. and snobbishness . • There are several important events of festival that can be witness during 'Semana Santa'. the tradition of the bantayanon. the Zamboangueño Chavacano developed into a full-pledge creole language to become the lingua franca of Zamboanga City and then the official language of the Republic of Zamboanga. they found their new culture with their new Ethno-Linguistic Group. a Zamboangueño version of the quick-stepping flamenco with bamboo clappers in lieu of Spanish castanets. regodon and paso doble. Zamboangueña women claim ownership of the Mascota. called Zamboangueño. the Jota Zamboangueña. or it may likewise by pinned on the waist or slipped up a cord (belt) that holds the dainty "abanico" or purse. Laborers from Cebu. Fiestas and Siestas. The Character of the Zamboangueño People are unique as we can say for their Kinship Family System. Zamboangueño traditional costumes are closely associated with Spanish formal dress.Forms and style • Chavacano (especially Zamboangueño) has two registers or sociolects: The common. Visper. • Likewise. • The Zamboangueño people are a Filipino ethnic group native to Zamboanga. skirts or pants. Misa. La Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza en Zamboanga and. vanity. For example. and undeniable vestiges of Spanish occupation (physical features of mestizos. complete with the de rigueur "bigotillos" (mustache). vulgar or familiar and the formal register/sociolects. a formal gown with a fitting bodice. while their Social Live usually resolve around religious practices. jealousy. replaced by the more common shirt. Diana. Zamboangueño (also called Chavacano or Chabacano). and shirts. and the need to cultivate the goodwill of all the members of the woman’s family were paramount considerations before any headway could be made in pursuing a Zamboangueña senorita's hand in marriage. etiquette. a pidgin begun and eventually. The traditional Zamboangueño dress has been limited to formal functions. "de baston" pants.over their less-Westernized neighbors. Visitaciones de las Inglesias. Pulong Bato . • People from other ethnolinguistic groups came to Jambangan (present-day Zamboanga City). More recently. • • The Zamboangueño customs are based on Spanish. Finally. familial obligation. The "cola may be held on one hand as the lady walks around. Specifically. and Because these people from different islands spoke different languages. Latin America and European notions of patriarchal authority. La Virgen del Pilar. and heeled shoes for women. Procession. Sulu and Palawan known as the Moro ethnic group. The Tausūg are part of the wider political identity of Muslims of Mindanao. who are Hashemite descendants of the Islamic prophet. thereby introducing the sultanate as a political system (the Sultanate of Sulu). and Bajau were in varying degrees united under the Sulu sultanate. Sūg and suluk both mean the same thing. the sultanate system had already become well established in Sulu. After Sayyid Abubakar's death. however they retain pre-Islamic religious practices and often practice a mix of Islam and Animism. supported on a framework resting on four or more wooden pillars.000 in the Philippines. being especially closely related to the Surigaonon • . They follow the traditional Sunni section of Islam. The native Philippine house was characterized by a pitched roof with two or four angles. Palawan. For example. the 19th sultan of Sulu was converted to Roman Catholicism and baptized as Don Fernando de Alimuddin. and extended the missionary work of Makhdum. and other Sulu natives to Roman Catholicism. Basilan. He introduced the Islamic faith and settled in Tubig Indangan. The Tausug language is related to Bicolano. Simunul. consisting of the title of Sultan as the sole sovereign of the Sultanate (in Tausūg language: Lupah Sug.[note 1][11] Religion The overwhelming majority of Tausūgs follow Islam. Sayyid Abubakar became Sultan. however he reverted back to Islam in his later life near death. who arrived in Sulu in 1380. Before the coming of the Spaniards. TAUSUG CULTURE Etymology • "Tausug" means "the people of the current". though some may take up administrative posts. Tagalog and Visayan languages. the presence of Jesuit missionaries in the Sulu Archipelago allowed for the conversion of entire families and even tribes and clans of Tausūgs. Tawi-Tawi. Rajah Baguinda Ali landed at Buansa. In 1390. each headed by a panglima or district leader. Sulu and Palawan. Sharifah. Samal. until his death. The Mosque's pillars at Tubig-Indangan. Much of these Filipino-Tausūgs have work in neighbouring Sabah.[1] • The term Tausūg was derived from two words tau and sūg (or suluk in Malay) meaning "people of the current". Yakan. Further down the line are the numerous Panglima or local chiefs. the eastern part of the Malaysian state of Sabah (formerly North Borneo) and North Kalimantan in Indonesia. which once exercised sovereignty over the present day provinces of Basilan. They are respected as religious leaders. • Of significance are the Sarip (Sharif) and their wives. considered the most centralised political system in the Philippines. married Baguinda's daughter. Demographics • The Tausūg currently number about 953. followed by various Maharajah and Rajah-titled subdivisional princes. Lati. who constitute the third largest ethnic group of Mindanao. and the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur. a Muslim missionary. Muhammad. They populate the Filipino province of Sulu as a majority. and Luuk. many of them have violate the law by overstaying illegally and involved in criminal activities. the ethnic groups in Sulu — the Tausug. Languages • The Tausug language is called "Sinug" with "Bahasa" to mean Language. Malaysia and Indonesia. which he built. Azim ud-Din I of Sulu. • The system is a patrilineal system. with the former being the phonetic evolution in Sulu of the latter (the L being dropped and thus the two short U's merging into one long U). Dayang-dayang Paramisuli. The Tausūg in Sabah refer to themselves as Tausūg but refers to their ethnic group as "Suluk" as documented in official documents such as birth certificates in Sabah. The Johore-born Arab adventurer Sayyid Abubakar Abirin arrived in 1450. between the Spanish colonial government and the Bangsamoro people of Mindanao and Sulu. which are written Malay. Tawi-Tawi. Pansul.[citation needed] They originally had an independent state known as the Sulu Sultanate. Called the "Spanish–Moro conflict". However. Cebu and Manila as minorities. similar in function to the modern Philippine political post of the Baranggay Kapitan in the Baranggay system. these battles were waged intermittently from 1578 till 1898. literally: "Land of the Current"). • A Christian minority exists. It raised above the ground on a platform of earth. Prior to modern times. Gitung. referring to their homelands in the Sulu Archipelago. still stand. the Tausūg were under the Sultanate of Sulu. After Rajah Baguinda's death. The Filipino-Tausūgs are not recognised as a native to Sabah. • The Tausūg or Suluk people are an ethnic group of the Philippines.• • Zamboanga Architecture (1789-1794) View of a tower and part of the village of ancient "Jambangan" by Fernando Brambila.Sultanate Era • • • The history of Sulu begins with Karim-ul Makhdum. Sulu. Malaysia as construction labourers in search for better lives. as Islam has been a defining aspect of native Sulu culture ever since Islam spread to the southern Philippines. History . Political districts were created in Parang. Palawan. During the Spanish occupation. from collection of drawings and engravings made on the Malaspina Expedition. from the word tau which means "man" or "people" and sūg (alternatively spelled sulug or suluk) which means "[sea] currents". was invested with religious authority. its scale reflecting the family's status and economic means. from state to community level. He officiates at life- • • crisis rites. on the twelfth day of Maulud. offers religious counsel. remain with the wife's family. respect for authority. Independent residence is the eventual ideal. In addition to arranged marriages. Hari Raya Puasa. spouse. • The Tausug are Sunni Muslims. • Socialization emphasizes sensitivity to shame. Today children attend public schools. The Five Pillars are observed. The nobility consisted of datu. Socialization. Contacts between the sexes are restricted and marriageable women are kept in relative seclusion to protect their value to their family as political and economic assets. • Domestic Unit. and consisting. hatib. and family honor. unmarried children. see the world as inhabited by local spirits capable of causing good or ill fortune. However. the Tausug retain elements of pre-Islamic belief and. accidents. however. both boys and girls undergo a ritual haircutting and immediately afterward are named. with some preference given to the eldest. and bilal. Arts. men holding patrilineally inherited titles who exercised regional power. • The Tausūg. but without ceremony and attended only by females. Most preadolescent children attend Quranic school or study the Quran with a private tutor. but few attain more than a primary education.language of the provinces Surigao del Norte. therefore. but the decorative arts are unelaborated. Only one in five who begin school complete grade six. although only the elderly practice daily prayers regularly. Boys are circumcised ( pagislam ) in their early teens. concluding with an agreement on the amount of bride-wealth and other expenses to be paid by the boy's family. religiously revered men and women who claimed descent from the Prophet.. Relations between husband and wife are characteristically close and enduring. and song are popular forms of entertainment. Inheritance. Three major rank categories were formerly recognized: nobles. Religious Beliefs. Tausug is also related to the Waray-Waray language. and Panulak Balah (lit. of kadi. Divorce is permitted but is infrequent. A series of negotiations precedes marriage. and grandchildren. united at its apex in the sultan's person. wives may be obtained by elopement or abduction. imam. using the term only to refer to Christian Bisaya-language speakers. build a new house of their own. instrumental music. Ceremonies. after which they are free to join the husband's family. the birthday of the Prophet. Marriage • Marriage is ideally arranged by parents. Dancing. girls undergo a similar rite ( pagsunnat ). or until the birth of a child. The imam is an important community figure. Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur and the Butuanon language of northeastern Mindanao specially the root Tausug words without the influence of the Arabic language. Major events in the religious calendar include fasting during Ramadan. when they reach the age of 5 or 6. The Tausug household consists of either a nuclear family or a stem family. although polygyny is allowed. Weddings are held in the groom's parents' house immediately upon payment of bride-wealth and are officiated by an imam. • Religious Practitioners. Paralleling the political pyramid was a religious one. and when proficient they demonstrate their skills at recitation in a public ceremony called pagtammat. Children are looked after by both parents and older siblings. Maulideen Nabi. Religion is central to Tausug identity and traditionally played a major role in maintaining the hierarchical structure of the state. sharing many common words. typically close to the husband's natal community. "to send away evil"). as head of an Islamic polity. Official genealogies traced his descent to the Prophet and in his person he was expected to exemplify ideal qualities of virtue and religious devotion. juridical and religious advisors. children are commonly protected with amulets ( hampan ) and temporarily secluded immediately after birth. commoners. who obtain their powers through dreams or by the instruction of older curers. occurring in less than 10 percent of all marriages and. Fully extended families are rare. plus a married child. a day of feasting immediately following Ramadan. the feast of sacrifice on the tenth day of the month of Jul-Hadj. The sultan. heal mainly by herbal remedies and prayers. or. the latter being comprised of parents. do not consider themselves as Visayan. This is typically a festive occasion. • Other property is generally inherited bilaterally. followers of the Shaft school. and salip. and leads the faithful in prayer. preferably. ulama. All illness. First and second cousins are favored spouses (with the exception of the children of brothers). given that the vast majority of Tausūgs are Muslims in contrast to its very closely related Surigaonon brothers which are predominantly Roman Catholics. Land is usually divided between sons. few men take more than one wife. and mosque officials. Folk curers ( mangungubat ) may be sought in time of illness. and other misfortunes are ultimately God's will. Traditional medical specialists. . A newborn infant's hold on life is thought to be precarious. both common alternatives. and slaves. Hari Raya Hadji. additionally. • Tausug society is hierarchically stratified and has been since at least the founding of the Sulu sultanate. At around 1 or 2 years of age. Newly married couples generally reside uxorilocally for the first year. a day of ritual bathing on the last Wednesday of Sappal. and sesame. the Tausug sunduk are wood or stone carv-ings of geometric or floral forms. cassava. re includes poetry and prose. red. or Samal. and blue (Szanton 1973:33-47). with some livestock raising (cattle. the hidjuk (dark cord) on the sangpad (prow-plate) also serve as decoration. sash or waistband. green. Women produce pandanus mats and woven headcloths for both home use and sale. using cattle or water buffalo as draft animals. Iron implements are forged locally and the manufacture of bladed weapons has historically been an important local craft. Tausug folk narratives include the salsila (ethno-historical narratives). From the founding of the Sulu sultanate until the mid-nineteenth century. Colored pandan leaves are sewn on the exterior and serve as decoration (Szanton 1973:64). and 100th day. and on the first. On the fifteenth day of the month of Shaaban. • The female biyatawi is a blouse made of plain material like satin and is ornamented with tambuku (gold or silver buttons) on the breast. Subsistence is based primarily on agriculture. The more expensively fashioned blades have floral and geometric incisions. Ajong-ajong/sula-sula are carved tips supporting the wrapped sail. nonirrigated fields. and silal or buri leaves outside. ham-mock. Burial is followed by a seven-day vigil. and trade. Calligraphy is found printed or carved on doors and gates. masaalaa (proverbs). pituwa (maxims). fishing. especially the gabbang (native xylophone). • Tausug carving is best exemplified by the sunduk or grave marker. Bronze casting is not as well developed as it is in Lanao. kalis. textile and fashion. ducks). cassava. vines. Economy • Subsistence and Commercial Activities. Rice is intercropped with corn. Although not as stylized as those of the Samal. Tutup mea-sure about 75 cm in diameter and are made of coconut leaves inside. those of the men are more floral. Sakayan or outriggers present yet another media for Tausug carving. Badjau. fruits. such as the sangkil (single-po-inted spear) and the sapang (three-pronged spear). blanket. • Abstract manok-manok (bird) motifs are the most common. enshrouding it. camphor. and narrative and nonnarrative forms. Tutup or plate covers are made by Tausug men and women. Examples include pots. and a small amount of millet. and third. 20th. and tarasul (poems) (Tuban 1977:101). second. tilik (love spells). tapestry and embroidery. and barong (bladed weapons). Musical instruments. rice. second. as well as on tapestries. and sandalwood. and various pieces of kitchenware (Szanton 1973: 61-63). Tausug visual arts follow the Islamic prohibition of representing human or animal forms. • Industrial Arts. BADJAO CULTURE • "Sea Nomads" The Sama-Bajau refers to several Austronesian ethnic groups of Maritime Southeast Asia. corn and other cereals. or painted into various media. Carved saam or cross--pieces supporting the outriggers are called the mata (eyes) of the boat. Fishing implements are also made. Each person is believed to have four souls that leave the body at death. or on a separate piece of wood which is then attached to the vessel. trepang. and third anniversaries of death. • In general. There are three annual harvests: first. Women's grave mark-ers are flatter with carved geometric designs. • The patadjung is an all-purpose skirt worn by both men and women. and burial. sorghum. The Tausug practice plow agriculture. Four acts must be performed at death: bathing the corpse. and use small wooden sailing vessels such as the . and others. printed. commemorative feasts may be held on the 7th. It has various other uses: as a turung or headcover. and other minor arts (Szanton 1963). Bajaw. The carvings are done either on the boat itself. Bajo or Bayao). pottery. Depending on a family's economic circumstances. white. Mindanao and Sulu have developed ukkil or abstract motifs which are carved. flowers. Decorations are limited to simple geometric lines as the emphasis has always been on the quantity not quality of the product. daman (poetic dialogue or advice). and the katakata (marchen). Samah. The body goes to hell. • Tausug literatu Folk nonnarrative poetry includes tigum-tigum or tukud-tukud (riddles). woodworks. • Function and simplicity define Tausug pottery. metalworks.• Death and Afterlife. also spelled Badjao. These motifs are suggestive of leaves. Most farm and household items are made of bamboo. • Tausug mananasal or blacksmiths produce bolo. growing dry rice on permanently diked. reciting the prayer for the dead. shoulders. chickens. Bajao. and various geometric shapes. mat making and basketry. birds' nests. The name collectively refers to related peoples who usually call themselves the Sama. and are used as wall adornment. jugs. are also decorated by the Tausug (Szanton 1973:65). the ganja or metal strips which lock the handle and the blade are a decorative as well a functional device. one of the souls ( ro ) of the dead is sent back to earth: here the deceased is honored with prayers and on the following day graves are cleared. and cuffs. the usulan kissa (origin stories). Visual Arts and Crafts Tausug visual arts are represented by carvings. Badjaw. 40th. smaller pieces are called turung dulang riki-riki. Colors used on the finished carvings are yellow. Consequently. vases. malikata (word inversions). Trade. or are known by the exonym Bajau (/ˈbaːdʒaʊ/. the Tausug conducted an extensive trade with China in pearls. Adornments are usually made on the prow and sometimes on the sambili or strips across the hull. where the length of punishment it suffers is determined by the misdeeds and accumulated religious merit of the deceased. the kaawn kissa (creation stories). They usually live a seaborne lifestyle. nasid. [21] and the .[11] HISTORY • For most of their history. They have also been present in the written records of other Europeans henceforth.[17] The term "Bajau" has pejorative connotations in the Philippines. Especially since it is used most commonly to refer to poverty-stricken Sama-Bajau who make a living through begging. they call themselves with the names of their tribes. They kept close to the shore by erecting houses on stilts. electronic keyboards. John in the 1850s and 1860s. Society • Though some Sama-Bajau headsmen have been given honorific titles like "datu". Pigafetta writes that the "people of that island make their dwellings in boats and do not live otherwise". [10] Most Sama-Bajau can speak multiple languages.[24] The most well-known of these three is Pakiring Pakiring (literally "moving the hips"). largely due to the waning interest of the younger generations. • The Sama-Bajau are traditionally from the many islands of the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines. • Horse culture • The more settled land-based West Coast Bajau are expert equestrians – which makes them remarkable in Malaysia.[21] • The Sama–Bajau peoples speak some ten languages of the Sama–Bajau subgroup of the Western Malayo-Polynesian language family. but they are also called Bajau. bua-bua anak. For example. though they never call themselves "Bajau" in the Philippines. which means "to fish". and vinta (or lepa-lepa). and Pakiring Pakiring. including in Sulawesi by the Dutch colonies in 1675.[55] Sinama is the most common name for these languages. The Tausūg claim that the song is native to their culture. and tinggayun.[3][9] It is generally accepted that these groups of people can be termed Sama or Bajau.ART and DANCE • Sama-Bajau traditional songs are handed down orally through generations. and whether the song is originally Tausūg or Sama-Bajau remain controversial. "maharaja" or "panglima" by governments (like under the Sultanate of Brunei). Sama-Bajau society is traditionally highly individualistic. lepa. while in Malaysia. Ethnonym • Like the term Kadazan-Dusun.[19] Oral traditions • Most of the various oral traditions among the Sama-Bajau have a common theme which claims that they were originally a land-dwelling people who were the subjects of a king who had a daughter.[3][4] Some Sama-Bajau groups native to Sabah are also known for their traditional horse culture. The songs are usually sung during marriage celebrations (kanduli pagkawin). syair. in Sulawesi and eastern Borneo by Thomas Forrest in the 1770s. najat. These are Dalling Dalling. the sea-going Sama-Bajau prefer to call themselves the Sama Dilaut or Sama Mandilaut (literally "sea Sama" or "ocean Sama") in the Philippines.[13][14][15][16] The exact origin of the exonym "Bajau" is unclear. "same". indicating poverty in comparison to the term "Sama". they usually only had little authority over the Sama-Bajau community. handmade boats which many lived in. or "we". [3][18][20] Historical records • Sama-Bajau were first recorded by European explorers in 1521 by Antonio Pigafetta of the MagellanElcano expedition in what is now the present-day Zamboanga Peninsula. Sama-Bajau is a collective term. which is more familiar to the Tausūg in its commercialised and modernised form Dayang Dayang. especially in Malaysia. pilang. Duldang Duldang. tagunggo' (kulintang gongs).[9] MUSIC. The name Badjao is a Malay-Bornean word which connotes "man of the seas.[19] The boat-dwelling Sama-Bajau see themselves as non-aggressive people. djenging. they were then supposedly ordered to find her. they identify as Bajau Laut. used to describe several closely related indigenous peoples who consider themselves a single distinct bangsa ("ethnic group" or "nation"). runsai. [10][11] • "Sama" is believed to have originated from the Austronesian root word sama meaning "together". balutu.[13] Sama-Bajau people are also well known for weaving and needlework skills. Some authors have proposed that it is derived from a corruption of the Malay word berjauh ("getting further apart" or "the state of being away"). the Sama-Bajau have been a nomadic.[3] and in the west coast of Borneo by Spenser St. gabbang (xylophone). • The Badjaos are popularly known as the "Sea Gypsies" of the Sulu and Celebes sea. After failing to do so they decided to remain nomadic for fear of facing the wrath of the king. [24] Most Sama-Bajau folk songs are becoming extinct. and in modern times.perahu.[16][17] Other possible origins include the Brunei Malay word bajaul. living off the sea by trading and subsistence fishing.[13][67] • Among the more specific examples of Sama-Bajau songs are three love songs collectively referred to as Sangbayan. usually the place they live or place of origin. Instead. After she is lost by either being swept away to the sea (by a storm or a flood) or being taken captive by a neighbouring kingdom.[24] There are several types of Sama-Bajau traditional songs. seafaring people. they include: isunisun. The Tausūg people refer to these languages as Siamal. and travelled using lepa. accompanied by dance (pang-igal) and musical instruments like pulau (flute). where horse riding has never been widespread anywhere else. The main dance form that employs the gabbang is the daling-daling. situated to the west of Zamboanga in Mindanao. house furnishings. History • The Yakans we dont try to judge them in the Sulu Archipelago. Visayas and the American Peace Corps brought about changes in the art and style of weaving. Bajau craftsmen have traditionally created ornaments of shell and turtle shell. wall decor. in which male and female dancers exchange improvised verses of song. somewhat somber design. The most important are kain mogah. Its main function is to settle disputes. and destar. Sama-Bajau society is also more or less egalitarian. the latter played by male musicians. used mainly as trade cloth and for house hangings. The Yakan Village in Upper Calarian is famous among local and foreign tourists because of their art of weaving. square headcloths worn by men. • Contacts with Settlers from Luzon. snails. and they did not practice a caste system. and officiate at weddings. and grave markers with carved designs. The Palipattang is patterned after the color of the rainbow while the bunga-sama. In the Tempasuk area of western Sabah. either alone or in accompaniment to dance. Differences may be seen in the pattern or in the design or in the distribution of colors. Traditionally they wear colorful. a feast to celebrate the end of Ramadan. they are also called on to set a spirit-boat ( pamatulikan ) adrift in the open sea beyond the village or anchorage site in order to remove illness-causing spirits from the community. Ceremonies • • • The annual Islamic calendar includes: a month of fasting ( puasa ) . a ritual bathing performed to cleanse away evil during the month of Sappal. Hari Raya Puasa. community spirit mediums are assembled at least once a year for a public séance and nightly trance-dancing ( magigal jin ). handwoven clothes. tulak bala'. and so forth at low tide. • In the early 1970s.largest political unit is the clan cluster around mooring points. which has characteristics of both Sama-Bajau Sinama and Tausug (Jundam 1983: 7-8). Among boat-dwelling and formerly boat-dwelling groups. It is the only Bornean language in that country. Nowadays most Yakans wear western clothes and use their traditional clothes only for cultural festivals. a wooden xylophone. Many resorted to the convenience of chemical dyes and they started weaving table runners. collect fines. either as a solo instrument or in accompaniment to singing and dancing. The kulintangan. is also played by women. some of the Yakan settled in Zamboanga City due to political unrest which led the armed conflicts between the militant Moro and government soldiers. together with suspended gongs and drums. "Sameacas" and considered them an aloof and sometimes hostile hill people (Wulff 1978:149. rarely more. Haylaya 1980:13). normally of seventeen keys. Musical instruments include the kulintangan. after the python. purses and other items which are not . The women engage in mat weaving. The women wear tightfitting short blouses and both sexes wear narrowcut pants resembling breeches. When the relationship sours or if there is too much pressure from land-based rulers. Rice is served only for dessert or on special occasions. providing the main melodic line. Having a significant number of followers of Islam. • • • • Panggi(cassava) and fish – the staple food of Badjaos. Hari Raya Haji. The individualism is probably due to the generally fragile nature of their relationships with land-based peoples for access to essentials like wood or water. and embellished houses. Unlike most neighbouring peoples. YAKAN CULTURE • The Yakan people are among the major indigenous muslim tribes in Mindanao. Kawman – the equivalent of the land-based purok. The gabbang. gathering clams. • The Seputangan is the most intricate design worn by the women around their waist or as a head cloth. a feast of sacrifice observed during the month of Jul-Hadj. roots and barks. Arts. The women covers it partly with a wrap-around material while the man wraps a sash-like cloth around the waist where he places his weapon – usually a long knife. boats. Almost every Yakan fabric can be described as unique since the finished materials are not exactly identical. Using herbal extracts from leaves. • The Spaniards called the Yakan. Traditionally. A Badjao settlement consists of a kawman. it is considered as one of the 13 Moro groups in the Philippines. In times of epidemic illness. but the title is conferred by the sultan. using brighter dyes and often incorporating figurative motifs. the birthday of the Prophet. Bajau women weave several types of textiles. The Yakans mainly reside in Basilan but are also in Zamboanga City. They speak a language known as Bahasa Yakan. Music and dance are richly elaborated. performed usually at weddings or betrothals. with adaptations to sounds not present in Arabic (Sherfan 1976). woven mainly in rectangular design elements. • Yakan is the language of Basilan Island in the Philippines. an idiophone of between seven and nine knobbed gongs suspended horizontally in a wooden frame. the Sama-Bajau prefer to simply move on elsewhere. The position is usually inherited. long cloths of small. Panglima -the head of kawman. seaweed. Pandanus mats are made by women for both sale and home use. placemats. panglima. the Yakans dyed the fibers and produced colorful combinations and intricate designs. It is written in the Malayan Arabic script. and Maulud. they have used plants like pineapple and abaca converted into fibers as basic material for weaving. is played by women. after the leaf of a vine. In other words.present in a traditional Yakan house. New designs were introduced like kenna-kenna. . the natives catered because of economic reason to the needs of their customers which manifest their trading acumen. pene mata-mata. a diamond-shaped design. patterned after a fish. after the shape of an eye or the kabang buddi. dawen-dawen.