COTABATO CITY – Filipinos, especially those in Mindanao, praised the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for launching “provincial exposition” depicting the rich and colorful history of the Bangsamoro people and their culture.
The regional government launched and opened to the public the ARMM Provincial Villages Expo representing the region’s five provinces – Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur - in June 18 as part of the year-long celebration of Pakaradjaan 2018: The 29th ARMM anniversary. And it has attracted thousands of visitors.
ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman said the mounting of the ARMM villages is not just for fun, but more significantly, to let other people understand the diverse and rich culture ARMM has. “Lalo kaming na-eengganyo na ituloy ito dahil noong proseso ng Bangsamoro Basic Law, marami talaga sa mga policy makers natin ang hindi nakakaunawa sa ating mga kwento at kasaysayan,” he said.
One of the provinces with an interesting presentation in the expo is the Sulu village - tagged as ‘Pearl of the Sulu Sea’, the province has showcased its larger-than-life culture and history.
Inside the Sulu village, a wooden life-size replica of the Astanah Darul Jambangan, or the Palace of the Sulu Sultan, can be found. Such structure was originally built in Maimbung town, and is believed to be the largest royal palace in the Philippines before it was destroyed by a typhoon in 1932. The term Astanah Darul Jambangan literally means ‘royal house’ (astanah) and ‘abode of garden’ (darul jambangan).
Sulu village chieftain Don Mustapha Loong, who is also the ARMM Public Works Secretary, said the significance of building the replica structure of Astanah Darul Jambangan is to remind the people, especially the younger generations that the Sulu Sultanate existed even before the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines.
“We want to show and inform the people that even before the Philippine government was created, Sulu has already its own government and that the people in Sulu were already organized,” he added. In other words, Astanah Darul Jambangan symbolizes, or represents, the government of Sulu.
To understand more about the history and the rulers of Sulu, an information area about the sultans is located inside the village. Flags of the old sultanate are also displayed inside the Royal House.
Musical instruments, such as Gabbang, are also shown. Gabbang is a bamboo xylophone used by the Tausug people and is associated as producing the musical partner to their traditional dances.
A nightly program is held where visitors can experience the different Tausug performing arts. There is also a food court inside the area for a taste of the varied Tausug delicacies.
To showcase the culture of Sulu and its people through building this enormous structure and the village per se is not just to let people experience and understand the province's culture and history.
These are significant reminders that the regional government is addressing the historical injustices that happened to the Bangsamoro people, hoping that through these presentations, the Bangsamoro people will gain the right to self-determination soon.
Two national living treasures take spotlight in ARMM villages’ expo
From cultural performances, where participants wear colorful costumes, to architectural styles, images of scenic places, native delicacies, and exhibition of artifacts and livelihood, people in these villages demonstrate their authentic lifestyle.
“The other people might not know about the history of the Bangsamoro but by mingling with the activities in the villages, they are given the opportunity to possibly learn our culture,” Governor Hataman said.
Director Amir Mawallil, ARMM’s Bureau of Public Information chief, said: “In a time when our people are subject to unfair judgment and in a country where it is a challenge to assert our identity, the cultural villages offer a refuge. It is a reminder of who we are, how there is so much for us to be proud of, and what we need to continue fighting for.”
One of the five villages, specifically the Basilan village, or the ‘Weavers of Peace’, highlighted two of ARMM’s pride — Ambalang Ausalin and Uwang Ahadas who have been recognized as National Living Treasures, or ‘Manlilikha ng Bayan’ by the Philippine government.
The Basilan village showcased the artistry and unique cultural talents of its artists. Yakans are known as the finest weavers in southern Philippines even as they are recognized for their rich musical tradition.
Apuh Ambalang, as she is called by her community of weavers, is from Lamitan City. She was recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Yakan ‘tennun’ or tapestry-weaving tradition. She is also known for her ‘suwah bekkat’ (cross-stitch-like embellishment) and ‘suwah pendan’ (embroidery-like embellishment).
In her younger days, she was mentored by her mother who was the province’s best weaver. She practiced with strips of coconut leaves and started to weave all the designs of the Yakan cloth, including the ‘sinalu’an’ and the ‘seputangan’, two of the most intricate categories in Yakan weaving.
A Basilan village chieftain, lawyer Laisa Alamia, who is the ARMM Executive Secretary and concurrent Social Welfare and Development Secretary, said: “The Tennun Yakan is an extraordinary important manifestation of Yakan culture.”
“Its categories, colors, designs, motifs, and significance will constantly remind Apuh Ambalang in her outstanding work, what it means to be Yakan – people of the earth,” she said, noting that such craft affirms the Yakans’ identity as a people, weaving the threads of culture, interlacing past, and future.
The Basilan village is also proud of the unique talent of Ahadas, a 73-year-old musician who utilizes native instruments such as the gabbang, agung and kwintangan kayu. Until today, Ahadas still continues to educate the locals about the Yakan musical traditions despite being almost blind.
He was proclaimed as a National Living Treasure for his dexterity in playing Yakan musical instruments such as the kwintangan, gabbang, agung, and kwintangan kayu, among others, and for his deep knowledge of the aesthetic possibilities and social contexts of these instruments. The tennun, musical traditions, and the way of living are important in Yakan’s history and identity representing the beautiful province of Basilan and its people. (With a report from the Mindanao Examiner.)
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