Rationale

Widely acclaimed for being the “Mother of Pearls”, Sulu has been considered as having the most finest
pearls around the world which can be ascertained in their deep, clear and tidal waters. The magnificent
island of Sulu is also popular for having a great diving site with variety of marine life and underwater
wilderness that will really leave you in awe. They’re also known for having fine beaches boasting around
kilometers of white sands. Aside from the breathtaking beauty spots, the glorious province is also rich in
culture and traditions. To name a few, the native people of the place are fond of folk dances which are
derived from their daily activities in life, in which they have embellished by their refined and well-crafted
embroideries that serves as their costumes.

In light of the foregoing, dancing has been an integral part in the lives of every Filipino since age-old. The
dances created back then have enormously exerted an influence of how abundant our culture today and
it also highlights the diversity of our dances here in the Philippines. Folk dances are performed by a
group of individuals in a social function that belong in a similar community to exhibit ostentatiously the
culture, ethnicity and authenticity of their place. They tend to be colorful, vibrant and take into many
forms. Furthermore, these folk dances have been passed through generations and are, fortunately,
preserved and still executed in every stages of the country. Amidst the world has progressively made
radical changes, folk dance has not dimmed and still owns its spotlight up until this day.

Mindanao covers vast and various cultures and traditions especially in folk dances. Out of many, the
Muslim dances in the region are prevalent among all the dances. Inspired and obtained in reflection of
the Arabian and Indo-Malaysian cultures, the dances manifest vivid colors and rhythmic movements. It
captures the history of the archipelago of the place. They may be in different forms depending on the
intentions of the native people; thus, they may be for courtship, occupational, religious and the like. The
beauty of this distinct cultural dances in Mindanao are indeed a great attribute of the tradition of the
region.

Tutup is one of the many unique folk dances in Mindanao. It is an occupational folk dance which
originated in Laminusa, Sulu who is popular for making stellar craftmanship specifically the food cover
which is called tutup. It is a dome-shaped food cover that has been designed by the Tausug people and it
is made out from screw pine or nipa. Some of the streaks of the material are tinted with shades of lively
colors so as to equate to the colorful vinta that sail along the waves of the ocean of Sulu. This folk dance
is usually performed by the young people during festivals like Hari-Raya or during weddings. By all
means, it shows the ample amount of uses of tutup. Sigpit and the loose sablay with patadyong, the
typical costume of Tausug, are worn by the dancers of the folk dance.

Hence, it is imperative to know the beauty of the culture in other region especially in Mindanao
specifically the Muslim folk dance in order to know more about the real and deep meaning of this
certain folk dance. It is also necessary to go back and trace its roots of where does this dance really
originated and what are the main reasons of carrying it as one of the dances of the place. In addition,
this research is important because it is a mean to be able to discover the uniqueness of the folk dances
that the country has that is highly recommended to be showcased around places. Thus, the researchers
have gathered and collected data that will be useful to answer the uncertain questions aforementioned.

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CONCEPT

"Tutup" is a Muslim dance performed with a colourfully dome-shaped food cover. Originally fashioned
by the Tausug people, the cover which is called tutup, was created using palm strips dyed in vibrant
colors, and woven in intricate motifs, zigzags or geometric patterns. Tutup is an occupational dance from
Laminusa, Sulu.

The dance is usually performed by the young especially during festivals like the Hari-Raya and during
weddings. Hari Raya Puasa or Hari Raya Aidilfitri, marks the end of Ramadan and is considered the
festival of gratitude to God and an occasion celebrated with families and loved ones. It is also the time
of feasts, homecoming, contemplation, forgiveness and reconciliation.

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LAMINOSA, SULU

Sulu is a province of the Philippines in the Sulu Archipelago and part of the Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Its capital is Jolo on the island of the same name. Sulu is along the southern
border of the Sulu Sea and the northern boundary of the Celebes Sea.

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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Indonesia and Malaysia are the countries from which Tutups were originated, it is simply means "cover".
Since these countries are neighbors of southern Philippines, some of their cultures and traditions were
being adapted by our country and that includes Tutup or plate covers. Here in the Philippines,
particularly in Sulu, the so called "Tutup" are made by Tausug men and women. The smaller pieces of
these are called turung dulang riki-riki, and are used as wall adornment. Tutup measures about 75 cm in
diameter and are made of coconut leaves inside, and silal or buri leaves outside. Colored pandan leaves
are sewn on the exterior and serve as decoration.

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TAUSUGS

The tausugs dominate the Sulu Archipelago. They are referred to as people of the current, reflective of
their close ties to the sea. They are known for their bravery, independence, and love for adventure. They
are also an extremely proud people are also shrewd traders and excellent sailors and fighters. Protecting
the family name is very important to the Tausugs that they would never tarnish their family honor with
cowardice.

The Tausugs were among the first Filipinos to embrace Islam as a religion and a way of life.Their
traditional religio-political structure is the sultanate. The sultan is the head of all ranks within the
sultanate. Succession is by election by his staff although patrilineal succession is the ideal.

The Tausugs are also a very artistic. Their traditional dress, jewelry, weapons, brass artifacts, music,
dance and architecture, mirror their rich cultural heritage The handicrafts of Sulu mirror Islamic and
Indonesian influences. Skilled artisans make boats, bladed weapons, bronze and brassware, pis cloth,
embroidered textiles, shellcraft, traditional house carvings, and carved wooden grave markers. Jewelry
is a measure of wealth, and is fashioned by Tausug goldsmiths using the simplest of tools to produce the
most intricate and delicate pieces.

Tausugs were inspired to make Tutup folk dance in order to promote their food cover crafts. This tutup
folk dance became one of the famous foldances in Mindanao and is usually performed during Hari-Raya
festivals as well as duting weddings.

HOW TO DANCE TUTUP

In dancing the tutup dance, the tutup or the food cover must be emphasized at all times. In doing this,
you should hold the tutup with your both hands straight along to your chest level or you can sway it
using your one hand with arms pointing towards the ground or pointing upwards above your head level.
You must always remember that your body must be straight and that your head must not make any
unnecessary movement that doesn't fit when dancing a folkdance. Dancing will never be complete if you
don't have any steps or movement in your feet. So, in terms of the movements of your feet, you will use
the basic movement in dancing a folkdance like the point step, the change step the sway balance or any
steps you want in dancing the tutup as long as it belongs to the basic steps in folkdance and it fits to
such kind of dance. You can make your own dance movement but make sure that the tutup or the food
cover will be seen at all times until the end of the dance and that your steps have the basic steps in
dancing the folkdance because through these basic steps, we can already promote and give importance
to our traditional folkdance and share these to the generation next to us.