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Maranao
Mëranaw

Modern-day Maranao sultans from Lanao.
Total population
1,720,000 1.25% of total population
Regions with significant populations
ARMM, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Manila, Cebu in the  Philippines Maranaos in Sabah,  Malaysia Maranaos in the US Maranaos in  Saudi Arabia[1] Middle East
Languages
Maranao, Chavacano, Cebuano, Tagalog, English
Religion
Predominantly Islam
Related ethnic groups
Illanun, Maguindanao, Tiruray Lumad, Tausug, Visayan, other Moros, other Filipinos, other Austronesian peoples

The Maranao people (Maranao: ['mәranaw]; Filipino: Maranaw (based on Papanoka Mera)^[2]), also spelled Meranao, Maranaw (based on Marapatik) and Mëranaw, is the term used by the Philippine government to refer to the southern tribe who are the "people of the lake" (Ranao in the Iranaon language), a predominantly-Muslim region of the Philippine island of Mindanao. They are known for their artwork, weaving, wood, plastic and metal crafts and epic literature, the Darengen.

Etymology

A satellite image of Lake Lanao.

The word Maranao is a misnomer as it does not have a sense in reference to nouns such as people, places or things. The prefix Ma- means 'to be', i.e., Maranao means to be a sea. Alternatively, the word Maranao may be a portmanteau of "Malay" and "Lanao" or Sea Lanao thus making it "Maranao" which means people living around Lake Lanao).

The proper term is Iranon (also Iranun) which means "People of the Sea",^[3] referring to the indigenous people who inhabited the lands around the lake. The Maranaos are part of the wider Moro ethnic group.

The ancient people in Mainland Mindanao were called Iranun, also spelled Iranon,^[4] of the coastal area of Illana Bay (Ilian in Maranao) and Iranaon (the people in Bembaran/ Bumbaran or Bukidnon and Kiaranda a Ragata Tiongcopa Layagen, in local language).

Volcanic activity developed a flat land surface little-by-little. Modern science describes this process as sedimentary formation and residual remains that forms the low and flat land surface in the coastal areas. This land is rich and suitable for agriculture. The Maranao vernacular called it “ira” which means "remains".

Thus, the name of the people in the coastal area of Illana Bay is another portmanteau of “ira” plus “ranao” or people living in the remains in the coastal areas.

In present days, the Maranao use the word to refer to “tao sa ragat”, the people of Lanao who migrated to sea area while the Maranaos are people who stayed around the lake. They share lineages, culture, bravery, (i.e. Gandamatu sa Ranau a Tombaga sa Macadar, wadiya lantay decritan potaw dipagotngan, phagrom sa kinikhid, khansa batobarani) and history. They are called Maranao as a general term.

Culture

A food jar (gadur) made of brass with silver inlay.

Maranao architecture miniature; among it is the Torogan house

Maranao culture can be characterized by:

• Lake Lanao


• 
  Sarimanok (Papanoka Mra and Mara-patik)


• 
  Torogan, the highest form of a Maranao royal house, where the architecture used is the most aesthetic in the Philippines


• Darangen, a UNESCO Intangible cultural heritage
  


• Kirim, pre-Hispanic handwriting based from Arabic letters with 19 consonants and 7 vowels


• 
  Singkil, a Philippine dance^[5]
  


• 
  Okir on wooden artifacts and brasswares


• Capmorod and Cackhalilang with Sambolayang and Pasandalan a Morog and Marigay for Kazipasa Manggis


• Caplagood (Racing horse)

The culture of the Maranaos is centered on Lake Lanao, the largest in Mindanao, and the second-largest and deepest lake in the Philippines. This lake is the subject of various myths and legends. It supports a major fishery, and powers the hydroelectric plant installed on it; the Agus River system generates 70% of the electricity used by the people of Mindanao. A commanding view of the lake is offered by Marawi City, the provincial capital.

Language

Prior to the usage of the Arabic style merged with Modernist style common in mosque architecture in the Maranaos today, the mosques of the Maranaos used to be the vernacular hut-style and Pagoda-style, which were common until the late 19th century.

Maranao is an Austronesian language spoken by the Maranao people in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.^[6] Because of the mass influx of Cebuano migrants to Mindanao, many Maranaos are also fluent in Cebuano.

Arabic, a Central Semitic language, is spoken by a minority of the Moro people, as it is the liturgical language of Islam. Most Maranaos, however, do not know Arabic beyond its religious use.

Chavacano (sometimes spelled as Chabacano or Chabakano) is a Philippine Spanish Creole that gained popularity as a major language during the short-lived Republic of Zamboanga. Most Maranaos with part-Tausug or Yakan from Zamboanga and Basilan are conversant, specifically the Zamboanga dialect known as Zamboangueño.

Art

Sarimanok or (Papanoka Mra) is a legendary birds of the Maranao that has become a ubiquitous symbol of their art

Sarimanok, Papanoka "Mra" or "Mara patik" is a legendary bird of the Maranao that is a ubiquitous symbol of their art. It is depicted as a Hoodhud (Arabic) with colorful wings and feathered tail, holding a fish on its beak or talons. The head of Sarimanok is like the head of a Hoopoe (Balalatoc in maranaw) and is profusely decorated with scroll, leaf and spiral motifs. It is a symbol of good fortune.^[7][8]

The Maranao have also developed their own adaptation of the Ramayana epic, the Maharadia Lawana. They also have a traditional dance, the Singkil, which was based on another local Ramayana adaptation, the Darangen.

Music

A Kulintang ensemble at the National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka.

Maranao kulintang music is a type of a gong music. Sarunaayfis also found among both Muslim and non-Muslim groups of the Southern Philippines. Kobbing is a Maranao instrument and Biyula is another popular Instrument. Biyula is a string instrument. In 2005, the Darangen Epic of the Maranao people of Lake Lanao was selected by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Cuisine

Maranao cuisine is quite spicy, with spices mixed up. Traditionally cultivated spices, locally known as palapa (Bontang, native product in Gandamatu) are a common condiment.^[9] It is made of stewed scallion bulbs or “sakurab” in Maranao. Thinly sliced scallion bulbs and ginger are caramelized by slow cooking and mixed with chilies and coconut oil.^[10]

Dishes are intertwined with important cultural rituals across all aspects of Maranao culture: from birth to death.!^[11]

Social structure

Traditionally, the Maranao society is divided into two strata. Namely, Mapiyatao (Pure) and Kasilidan (Mixed blood). Kasilidan is further subdivided into categorlies which are as follows; Sarowang (Non-Maranao), Balbal (Beast), Dagamot (Sorcerer/Sorceress) and Bisaya (Slave). The Mapiyatao are those natives who are entitled to ascend to thrones and has a pure royal bloodline. On the other hand, the Kasilidan are those natives who are suspected of mixed bloodline. However, due to the changes brought by time, these social strata are beginning to decline due to the rise of wealth of each and every Maranao families.

Demographics

The Maranao people are shown in chocolate brown in this map.

Maranaos number about 1,720,000. Along with the Iranun and Maguindanao, the Maranao are one of three, related, indigenous groups native to Mindanao. These groups share genes, linguistic and cultural ties to non-Muslim Lumad groups such as the Tiruray or Subanon. Maranao royals have varied infusions of Arab, Indian, Malay, and Chinese ancestry.

History

As with other Indigenous and Mindanao Lumads, during the nominal occupation of the Philippines by the Spanish, and later the American and the Japanese, the Maranaos had tribal leaders whom they called Datu. In the 14th century, upon the arrival of Islam, they developed into a kingdom with a Sultan due to the influence of Muslim missionaries.

Notable Meranaos

• 
  Mamintal A.J. Tamano was a Filipino statesman and a former Senator of the Philippines.


• 
  Adel Tamano is a Filipino educator, lawyer and former politician.


• 
  Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong is a Filipino politician and current acting governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).


• 
  Mamintal M. Adiong Sr. was a long-time Filipino politician, serving as Governor of Lanao del Sur from 2001 until his death from cardiac arrest.


• 
  Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. is the present governor of the Province of Lanao del Sur.


• 
  Abul Khayr Alonto is a Filipino businessman and lawyer.


• 
  Dimasangcay Pundato is a former Moro revolutionary leader and current undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process


• 
  Datu Yusoph Boyog Mama is a Filipino philanthropist and composer


• Habib W. Macaayong is the current president of the Mindanao State University. He is also a peace advocate and is the first to implement the addition of a peace education class in the curriculum of all of the university's provided courses.


• 
  Samira Gutoc-Tomawis is a Filipino civic leader, journalist, environment and women's rights advocate, and legislator[1] who has served as member of the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission which was tasked to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law.


• 
  Ali Abinal, housemate of Pinoy Big Brother: Otso.

Notes and references

External links

• Maranao


• Maranao Online


• 
  Ranao, Ranao (Lake) terms for Lanao del Sur.