Kristel Renalyn O. Lusares
BSCE-3A
ETHNIC GROUPS
11 MUSLIM ETHNIC
GROUPS
SUMMARY
REFERENCES
■ Italian term “ethnic”
relates to “nation”.
■ Defined as tribal
groups with distinct
languages, traditions,
and territories.
■ Ethnic identity fosters
group cohesion.
1.MARANAO
ORIGIN
■ Maranao” means “people of
the lake”.
■ Their homeland is called
Lanao which means ‘’lake’’
LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL
RELATIONS
■ Their language “Maranao” is
similar to Maguindanaon and
Iranun; can understand 60%
of Maguindanaon.
■ Close cultural and linguistic
ties with neighboring groups.
GEOGRAPHIC AND
STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE
■ Concentrated in Lanao region,
strategically located between Iligan Bay (north) and Illana
Bay (south).
■ Historically fought against Spaniards under the
Maguindanao sultanate.
HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL
CONTEXT
■ Unified under Maguindanao sultanate during
colonial period.
■ Post-colonial migration led to division of Lanao
into Del Norte and Del Sur in the 1960s.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
■ Rich in literature, exemplified by Darangan.
■ Lake Lanao: Largest lake in the Philippines,
provides 80% of Mindanao’s power supply
EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL
ASPECTS
■ Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City;
many leaders and professors are products of MSU.
■ Limited contact with outsiders through Iligan City
and Malabang.
EXTERNAL INFLUENCES
AND SOCIAL ASPECTS
■ Maranao society is a closed society. The entire
municipalities of Lanao Del Sur, particularly at the
vicinity of the lake are off limits to outsiders.
■ Christians are attempting to penetrate Lanao from
Iligan, Malabang, and Wao.
JUSTICE SYSTEM
■ In the Maranao tribe, the justice system is deeply
rooted in traditional customs and practices, often
guided by the principles of "adat" (customary law)
and Islamic law (Sharia).
2.MAGUINDANAO
ORIGIN
■ "Maguindanao" originally
referred to a ruling family or
dynasty.
■ Name later applied to Muslim
people in the Pulangi Valley,
Southwestern Mindanao.
■ Known as "people of the plain."
ISLAMIZATION
■ Accepted Islam in the late 15th
century.
■ Full Islamization achieved with
Sharif Kabungsuan’s arrival in
1511.
CONTRIBUTIONS AND
INFLUENCE
■ Established the sultanates of
Maguindanao and Buayan.
■ Sultanate of Maguindanao unified much of Mindanao
and resisted Western colonialism.
GEOGRAPHIC AND
ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE
■ Cotabato was the seat of the Maguindanao
sultanate.
■ Cotabato’s fertile land became a key rice-producing
area.
■ Attracted colonial interest; became a focal point
during Spanish and American rule.
IMPACT OF COLONIALISM
AND SETTLEMENT
■ Maguindanao faced significant challenges from Filipino
settlers and colonial forces.
■ By the 1970s, lost three-fourths of their homeland to
settlers.
■ The Manila government established the provinces of
Maguindanao, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat,
and Sarangani in the area.
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION
■ Sultans were the top political leaders in Cotabato, with
actual power limited to a few; their selection was
influenced by a council of datus.
■ The sultan title is now honorific, but datus continue to
wield local power and maintain political influence through
family alliances.
3. IRANUN
ORIGIN
■ Inhabit the border area
between Lanao del Sur and
Maguindanao.
■ Claim to be the origin of both
Maranao and Maguindanao
ethnic groups.
■ Iranun language is the root of
Maranao and Maguindanao
languages, suggesting it may be
the mother language.
■ The primary religion practiced
by the Iranun is Sunni Islam, the
largest branch of Islam.
HISTORICAL AND
CULTURAL INFLUENCE
■ Part of the Maguindanao sultanate for centuries.
■ Strong cultural influence from Maguindanao rather
than Maranao.
■ Historically fought against Western invaders under
the Maguindanao sultanate.
■ Illanun, a Malay term meaning “pirate,” is appropriate
for the people of this ethnic group, who were once
regarded as the fiercest pirates in the Malay area.
MARITIME ACTIVITY
■ Skilled in maritime activities, connecting Sulu
Sea, Moro Gulf, and Celebes Sea.
■ Conducted raids on Spanish-held territories.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
■ Have a datu system similar to Maguindanao and
Tausug.
■ Datu holds central power over the community.
CHALLENGES AND CONTRIBUTIONS
■ Small population led to being overshadowed by
neighbors and lack of their own sultanate.
■ Strong ethnic consciousness; preserved traditions
and political autonomy.
■ Advanced in education, with professionals in key
government positions and Islamic institutions.
4. TAUSUG
ORIGIN
■ “Tausug” means “brave
people” from “tau” (people)
and “ma-isug” (brave).
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
■ Established a central
government before Islam
arrived.
■ Embraced Islam peacefully
and integrated Islamic values
into their governance.
ISLAMIZATION AND
POLITICAL INFLUENCE
■ Islam spread in Sulu in the 13th century, leading to the
establishment of the Sulu sultanate in 1450.
■ Tausug leaders helped spread the influence of the
sultanate beyond Sulu.
EXPANSION AND
MIGRATION
■ Skilled in maritime activities, connecting Sulu Sea, Moro
Gulf, and Celebes Sea.
■ Conducted raids on Spanish-held territories.
LINGUISTIC AFFILIATION
■ Tausug is part of the East Mindanao Subgroup of Central
Philippine languages.
■ Closely related to Butuanun, spoken in northeast Mindanao,
from which it diverged approximately 900 years ago.
■ Shows significant overlap with Sama-Bajau, reflecting a
long-term association.
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL
ORGANIZATION
■ Hierarchical Structure: Tausug society is divided
into three main ranks: nobles, commoners, and slaves.
Nobles include datu (regional leaders with inherited
titles) and salip (religiously esteemed individuals with
Prophet descent).
■ Internal Differentiation: Nobles are further divided
into "royal datus" (close to the ruling sultan) and
"ordinary datus" (more distantly related or unrelated).
Commoners, making up about 80% of the population,
have no ascribed titles and their rank is defined by law.
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL
ORGANIZATION
■ Wealth and Power Dynamics: Social status and
power can be achieved through wealth and influence,
rather than solely through inherited titles. This has led to
a system of "status-conscious egalitarianism," where
men of humble origin can attain significant prominence.
■ Power Structure: Tausug politics was organized
through a system of alliances connecting local leaders to
the sultan, with the sultan’s power being strongest in
central areas.
■ Modern Changes: Traditional alliances still exist, but
now they also function within the Philippine electoral
system. The region is divided into provinces and
municipalities with elected officials, while the sultan
mainly handles religious duties.
5. YAKAN
ORIGIN
■ “Yakan” is a
mispronunciation of
“yakal” by the Spaniards.
■ “Basilan” comes from
“basi” (iron) and “balani”
(magnate), named for its
thick yakal trees.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
■ Basilan targeted for Christian penetration since the
Spanish era.
■ Rich resources and proximity to Zamboanga City led
to vulnerability to exploitation and Christian
dominance.
CURRENT ISSUES
■ Areas like Isabela, Maluso, and Lamitan have
significant Christian populations and Filipino settler
influence.
■ Yakan lands are increasingly owned by settlers,
leading to displacement and marginalization.
CULTURAL FOUNDATION
■ Yakan culture is similar to Tausug, based
on the concept of martabat (honor).
■ Strengthened by religious institutions (masjid and
madrasa), artifacts, and a presence of Yakan
professionals, ulema, and leaders.
CONTEMPORARY
CHALLENGE
■ Focus on empowering the younger generation
to assert their rights and preserve their cultural
heritage.
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL
ORGANIZATION
■ Yakan settlements are small units based
on mosque affiliation, led by an imam and a
council.
■ Social stratification is minimal, with respect
given to wealth, leadership, and age. Women
are not segregated, and veiling is not
practiced.
■ Traditionally, political organization is
centered around the langgal (mosque) and a
council that handles local issues.
■ Under the Philippine government, Basilan
is divided into a city, municipalities, and
barrios (subdivided into sitios), each led by
elected officials like mayors and barrio
captains.
6.SAMA
ORIGIN
■ “Sama” means
“togetherness” or
“collective effort.”
■ Highly dispersed
across the Sulu
Archipelago due to
maritime activities.
SUB- GROUPS
■ Badjao (Sama Laut): Sea-gypsies, known for living
on boats and lacking permanent communities. They
face high illiteracy, poverty, and exploitation.
■ Sama Balimbing, Sama Simunul, Sama
Sibutu: Inhabit major islands of Tawi-Tawi, with
higher literacy rates and better access to education
and government positions.
■ Sama Bangingi: Have a well-developed social
organization; historically significant sailors and warriors
with a strong presence in Zamboanga and beyond.
■ Jama Mapun: Located in Turtle Island and southern
Palawan; have a permanent settlement and recognized
social structure. Historically significant for their strategic
role during the Sulu sultanate.
CURRENT ISSUES AND
ACHIEVEMENTS
■ Badjao: Struggle with poverty, lack of education,
and marginalization.
■ Sama Balimbing and others in Tawi-Tawi:
Higher education and government presence but still
face challenges in social progress.
■ Bangingi: Successful in integrating into Filipino
society but lack collective institutions for broader
social change.
■ Jama Mapun: Strategically important and have
established local government and infrastructure, but
remain under central control and face ongoing
challenges.
The Muslim ethnic groups in Mindanao and Sulu are diverse in
language, culture, and history, yet share common geographical and
ideological bonds. These groups, including the Maranao,
Maguindanao, Iranun, Tausug, Yakan, and Sama, have unique
identities shaped by their distinct languages, traditions, and
historical experiences.These groups have maintained their ethnic
consciousness despite challenges posed by colonization,
migration, and modernization.
■ Maranao | Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.).
https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopediasalmanacs-transcripts-and-maps/maranao-0
■ Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural
Heritage - BARMM. (2022, November 28). Maguindanao Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural
Heritage - BARMM.
https://bcpch.bangsamoro.gov.ph/maguindanao/
■ Journal, F. C. (2017, November 20). Journal Writing
Project A glimpse of Maranao culture.
https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/journal-writing-project-aglimpse-of-maranao-culture/
■ Datu, M. I. (2009, November 15). The Iranun nation in the
Philippines.
https://iranunnation.blogspot.com/2009/11/iranun-tribe-ofphilippines.html
■ Office, B. I., & Office, B. I. (2022, August 3). Sarimanok rising:
The colorful culture of Maranaos - BARMM Official Website.
BARMM Official Website - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao. https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latestnews/sarimanok-rising-the-colorful-culture-of-maranaos/
■ Yakan | Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.).
https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopediasalmanacs-transcripts-and-maps/yakan
■ Tausug | Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.).
https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopediasalmanacs-transcripts-and-maps/tausug
■ Maranao. (n.d.). https://www.csueastbay.edu/museum/virtualmuseum/thephilippines/peoples/maranao.html#:~:text=The%20Maranao%20are
%20famed%20for,Islamic%20groups%20in%20the%20Philippines.
■ PeopleGroups.org. (n.d.). PeopleGroups.org - Iranun of Philippines.
https://www.peoplegroups.org/Explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=7692
■ https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-cultural-communities-andtraditional-arts-sccta/central-cultural-communities/the-history-of-themuslim-in-thephilippines/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFPvX0BHZP14NoTNbqCWKGOpTLcW
31Qj9uiep4Gd4iyuZsvcrgNGFUiJDAHNOjDpg