Introduction to Creative Crafts
Lesson 6 - The Mindanao Indigenous Tribe
Mindanao
Second largest island of the Philippines at the southern end of the archipelago.
Culture consist of mostly Muslim or Moro people.
Composed of other ethnic groups such as the Maranao, Tausug, Banguingui,
and indigenous tribes known as Lumad.
Regions
Zamboanga Peninsula
ARMM Region REGION 12: Soccsksargen
SOCCSKSARGEN Region 1. North Cotabato
Northern Mindanao 2. Sultan Kudarat
Caraga Region 3. South Cotabato
Davao Region 4. Saranggani
REGION 9: Zamboanga Peninsula
1. Zamboanga Sibugay REGION 13: CARAGA
2. Zamboanga del Norte 1. Agusan del Norte
3. Zamboanga City 2. Agusan del Sur
4. Isabela City 3. Surigao del Norte
4. Surigao del Sur
REGION 10: Northern Mindanao
1. Bukidnon
2. Camiguin ARMM
3. Misamis Occidental 1. Basilan
4. Misamis Oriental 2. Sulu
5. Lanao del Norte 3. Tawi-tawi
4. Lanao del Sur
REGION 11: Davao 5. Maguindanao
6. Davao City
7. Davao del Norte
8. Davao del Sur
9. Davao Oriental
10. Compostela Valley
T’Boli Bagobo Tagabawa
Originates from Lake Sebu in South Cotabato Originates from Davao del Sur
Known as the T’nalak Dream Weaver Creates inabal - a weaving process that is hand-woven out of abaca fiber
Often referred to as the Tagabili Designs evolve around the community and family
Speaks Malayo - Polynesian language called Tboli and also speak Ilongo or Cultural language and malayhelp to keep them connected
Bilaan Manobo cluster includes 8 groups
Live in “long houses” that are built on 6-foot stilts Cotabato Manobo
MONOGAMY - one husband, one wife. Rich may sometimes have multiple Agusan Manobo
wives as a symbol of prestige. Dibabawon Manobo
Matig Salug Manobo
Saranggani Manobo
B’laan Manobo of Western Bukidnon
Originates from Davao del Sur Obo Manobo
Have own weaving system using abaca fiber and backstrap loom Tagabawa Manobo
They hold rituals seeking for divine guidance before making any pattern or Connected by name either political division/ landforms
design
Bla - opponent, An - people
Other term: B’laan, Bira-an, Villanes, B Tagakaolo
B’laan believed in the existence of a supreme being known as God (Dawata) Originates from Davao del Sur
First man “To” was created by God (Dawata) Skill in basket weaving, embroidery, loom weaving, blanket weaving,
Planters (mele) of heaven (langit) and earth (tana) headresses, beaded necklaces
Guardian Spirit - L’nilong Jacket out of Abaca
Guardians - Snaligoften referred as the owner of nature (M’fun)
Owner of the sea - (M’fun mabin)
Owner of forest - (M’fun d’lag) Ata Manobo
Originates from Davao del Norte
Ata women have mastered the art of making liyang, a woven basket used for
Mandaya harvesting or for wood gathering
Originates from Davao del Sur A liyang is made of abaca, rattan (uway), and bamboo tree (bagtok), which are
Known for their intricate embroidery and sewing techniques all harvested in the forest.
Famous for their distinctive costumes and ornamentation, involves tie-dyed
textiles and embroidery
Concentrated in the towns of Caraga, Manay, Cateel, Lupon, Tarragona,
Mandaya
Dressed headman - Bagani
Someone who gives advice (elders) - Angtutukay
Balanghay Contrast - Very different tones
Balangay - synonymous with Butuan boat - is a plank boat adjoined by a Harmony - when the elements work together to create a pleasing arrangement
carved out plank edge through pins and dowels. Unity - When an artwork seems whole, complete together.
First mentioned in the 16th century in the chronicles of Pigafetta
Known as the oldest watercraft bound in the Philippines
First wooden watercraft
Evidence of early Filipinos Craftsmanship and their seamanship skills Vinta - Locally known as lepa-lepa or sakayan.
Traditional boat from the Philippine Island of Mindanao
Sail has assorted vertical colors that represent the colorful culture and history
of the muslim community.
Malong - Traditional tube skirt
Bears a variety of geoemetric/okir designs
ARTS AND CRAFTS OF MINDANAO
Brasswares - Kulintang, gongs and even the elaborate designs of muslims.
Elements of Art Jar are brasswares, made in oldest city in the region, cotabato city
Line - Path made by a moving point. Line express different emotions and
ideas. Okir - Okir or okkil is the term for geometric and flowing designs which often based
Color - Also known as hue. It can be very pure (with a high intensity). It can on an elaborate leaf and vine pattern and folk motifs.
also be lightened or darkened using white or black. This is called the value of the Can be usually found in Maranao and muslim-influenced artwork especially in
colour. the southern Philippines and in some parts of Southeast Asia.
Value - is the lightness or darkness of something. It is also called tone.
Shading - Different values/ tones. Panolong - is a wing like design of a vernacular house in Maranao called Torogan.
Shape - can be freeform or geometric These are ends of the floor beams that projects and splay out like triangular
Form - 3d shape butterfly wings on facade and side elevations.
Texture - roughness/smoothness, surface quality
Space - negative space creates the image Torogan - A traditional residence of the reigning Sultan of the Maranaw people and
his family.
Art Principles It is where the community traditionally gathers for wedding, thanksgiving
rites, enthronement, and vigils for the dead.
Rhythm - elements are repeated in certain direction. Torogan is no ordinary home specially to a regular Maranaw family because it
Pattern - You repeat motif/design many times was a symbol of high status.
Balance - can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Proportion - refers to the relationship between the size or scale of objects. Sarimanok - A legendary bird of the Maranao people who originate from Mindanao,
Visual movement - When forms, values patterns, lines, shapes or color seem to a major island in the Philippines.
create action. It comes from the words “sari” and “manok”. Sari means cloth or garment,
Variety - There are lots of different shapes, colors, forms, texture. which is generally of assorted colors. Manok means “chicken”.
Emphasis - when one part of an artwork stands out and attracts the eye.
Yakan’s Fabric and Face Make-up
The Yakan are an indigenous Muslim tribe native to the tropical island of
Basilan. Located in the Sulu archipelago, in the most southern region of the
Philippines.
Yakan people are recognized for their remarkable technicolor geometric
weaves and the distinctive face decorations used in their traditional
ceremonies.
The Yakan are kind and loving people that embody a non-materialistic culture
and live in close knit communities.
Yakan Weaving - Uses bright, bold and often contrasting colours in big symmetrical
patterns.
Inspiration for designs comes from island living in Islamic sacred geometry.
Face Decorations - Tanyak-Tanyak is a face painting custom unique to Yakan tribal
culture.
Worn only for wedding ceremonies; circles, spots, and diamond patterns are
printed on the skin using bamboo implements and a thick mixture of white
flour and water.
The patterns are said to have no symbolic meaning but have been used for
centuries as a form of cosmetic decoration long before commercial products
were accessible.
T’nalak - a traditional cloth found in Mindanao island made by a group of people in
Lake Sebu, South Cotabato called T’boli’s, T’boli people.
This traditional cloth is hand woven made of abaca fibers which traditionally
has three primary colors; red, black, and original color of the abaca leaves.
Pangalay - Also known as daling-daling or mengalai in Sabah.
Traditional “fingernail” dance of the Tausug people of the Sulu archipelago and
Sabah.
This dance also means offering from it’s Sanskrit origin pang-alay, mangalay
which means the dance is very similar to classical Balinese and Thai dances.
