Answer:

1

Mindanao is often depicted as a place of danger, hate, division, politics, and chaos. But to really see its beauty, one must experience the Mindanao culture brimming with life and colors.

And once you’ve experienced the culture of Mindanao, you will love the Land of Promise as much as you love other regions in the Philippines.

What’s inside this blog?

Language

Food

Mindanao Culture and Arts

Mindanao Folk Dances

Religion

Clothing

Celebrations

We can already see how rich the culture of Mindanao is through its languages. In Mindanao, there are dozens of languages spoken, among the most widely spoken are Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Surigaonon, Tausug, Maranao, Maguindanao, and Chavacano.

Cebuano (Bisaya): Northern Mindanao (except the southern parts of Lanao del Norte), the Davao region, the western half of the Caraga region (as well as the city of Bislig and the municipalities surrounding it in Surigao del Sur), the entirety of the Zamboanga Peninsula (with the exception of Zamboanga City), and southern Soccsksargen.

Hiligaynon: Soccsksargen

Surigaonon: Eastern half of the Caraga region, mainly by the eponymous Surigaonons

Tausug: Western territories of the BARMM, specifically the Sulu Archipelago (Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi)

Maguindanao and Maranao: Eastern territories of the BARMM, respectively, with the former being spoken in Lanao del Sur and the southern areas of Lanao del Norte; the latter in the eponymous province of Maguindanao and also in adjacent areas which are part of Soccsksargen

Chavacano: Zamboanga City, Basilan, southernmost fringes of Zamboanga Sibugay, Cotabato City and Davao City

Food in Mindanao

Experiencing the culture of Maguindanao, the Caraga Region culture and tradition, or the culture of Mindanao in general is not complete without tasting the rich flavors of the region. Mindanao cuisine is very recognizable in terms of flavor compared to the rest of the Philippines. Spanish and Malay flavors of nearby Southeast Asian countries largely influenced how the locals cook as dishes in Mindanao are known for their use of coconut milk and spices like chili, onion, and ginger.

Piyanggang Manok (Grilled Chicken in Burnt Coconut, Tausug)

Tiyulah Itum (Slow Cooked Beef/Chicken in Burnt Coconut Broth)

Piyalam (Stewed Fish, Tausug)

Piyaren Udang (Prawn with Sautéed Coconut, Lanao)

Piassak (Cow Liver in Burnt Coconut)

Riyandang Kambing (Mutton with Coconut and Spices, Lanao)

Kulma Baka (Beef Stewed in Coconut Milk, Tausug)

Kiyuning (Golden Rice)

Kagikit Manok (Spicy Chicken Flakes)

Kagikit na Isda (Spicy Fish Flakes)

Curacha (Deep-sea Crab)

Sinuglaw (Sugba + Kinilaw)

Durian

Mindanao Culture and Arts

Advertisements

Weaving is culture, an identity, and a way of life for some of the most indigenous communities in the Philippines. Some people might think that these are just another colorful fabric you’d see elsewhere but it’s not. It’s carefully handcrafted by the creative Mindanao people, each has its own meaning for different uses. There’s something special about the Mindanao culture and arts that involve weaving. For the people of the south, weaving is a huge part of their Mindanao culture and tradition that distinguishes them from the rest.

Ikat (Made by Mandaya people of Davao Oriental, Bagobo and B’laan)

Inaul (Made by Maguindanaon)

Malong (Made by Maranao people)

Bunga Sama (Made by the Yakan tribe)

Sinaluan (Made by the Yakan tribe)

Pussuk Labbung (Made by the Yakan tribe)

Kabban Budi (Made by the Yakan tribe)

T’Nalak (Made by the T’Boli tribe)

Habul Tiyahian (Made by Tausug people)

Inabal (Made by Bagobo tribe)

Mindanao Folk Dances

2

1. MINDANAO Zamboanga Peninsula Northern Mindanao Davao Region SOCCSKSARGEN Region Caraga Region ARMM Region

2. Mindanao is the second largest and southernmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country (the other two being Luzon and the Visayas), consisting of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands.

3. Mindanao is the only geographical area of the Philippines with a significantly large Muslim presence. The southernmost part of Mindanao, particularly Maguindanao Province, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi provinces (part of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)), are home to a sizeable Muslim population. Due to widespread poverty and religious differences, the island has seen a communist insurgency as well as armed Moro separatist movements.