Ang kultura ay salamin ng mga katangiang nakikita sa gawain, pagsasalita, pag-iisip at damdamin ng mga

taong nagtataglay ng iniingatang kultura subalit dahil na rin sa pag-usbong ng mga pagbabago ay unti-
unti itong nalulusaw.

Ang Darangen ay isang akdang pampanitikan na kakikitaan ng mga addat ng mga maranao na itinakda ng
kanilang lipunan. Sa paniniwalang ang panitikan ay repleksyon ng lipunan, ang mga elemento ng kultura
kasama na ang mga addat o pagpapahalaga ay tiyakang masisinag sa nasabing epiko.

Ang teorya ay isang set ng mga konsepto at ang mga kaugnayan ng mga ito na siyang
nagpapaliwanag,nanghuhula, o naghahaka at nag-iinterpreta kung paanong ang isang penomenon o
pangyayari ay lumutang o lumitaw at gumagana.

Ang kasuutan ng isang Muslim ay nararapat na pagtuunang pansin ang maganda [maayos] at malinis na
pananamit, lalung-lalo na sa kanyang pakikipag-ugnayan [o pakikiharap] sa mga tao at sa pagsasagawa
ng kanyang Salaah (pagdarasal). Batay sa sinabi ng Kataas-taasang Allah:
{O mga anak ni Adan, magsuot kayo ng palamuti [maayos na damit sa pagtungo], sa bawa’t masjid (na
inyong pagdarasalan]}. Surah Al-A`raf (7): 31
1) The term Lanao is derived from the Maranao word “Ranao” meaning a body of water.

2) “Maranao” means Lake Dweller.

3) They are natives from the land around lake Lanao at the central part of Lanao del Sur.

4) They are a tribe of Malay.

5) One of the three native indigenous muslim groups in Mindanao. (Others: Illanun and Maguindanao).

6) They are approximately 950,000. 90% are in Lanao del Sur while the remaining 10% are in Lanao del
Sur though a few of them where in Zamboanga del Sur and Cotabato.

7) Torogan is the traditional residence of the reigning Sultan of the Maranao people and his family. The
symbol of a high status family(most are 100 yrs old). It is where the community traditionally gathers for
wedding, thanksgiving, rites, enthronements and vigils for the dead. It is a masterpiece due to their
unique designs called okir or okkil. Okir is a geometric and flowing design based on an elaborate leaf and
vine system. The best known torogans can be found at Dayawan, Marawi City and a few are around in
maranao lake.

8) Their language is Maranao and Chabacano

9) Maranao alphabet (dictionary letters, not standardized): A B D AE E G H I K L M N NG O P R S T W Y.

AE represents the pepet

The most prominent traditional wear is the malong, a large, colorful woven cloth wrapped around the
body. One common way women wear it is around the waist with its folds draped over the left arm. Men
wrap it around the waist like a skirt.

The malong has many uses depending on the need of the wearer. It can be used as a cape, coat, blanket
or umbrella. Maranao or Maguindanao women wear the malong over a blouse called arbita. Also, they
wear a turban called kombong made of muslin fabric. White is used as kombong when the wearer has
been to Mecca.

In Sulu, patadyong is the people’s version of malong. It is smaller and resembles a sarong worn by
people in Indonesia and Malaysia. Sawal or kantyu is loose baggy pants made of soft cloth and worn by
both men and women. Men wear the sawal with a polo shirt, while women wear it with a sambra, a
collarless, V-neck blouse with short sleeves. Women also wear it with a sablay, a long-sleeved blouse
that reaches the hips.

Tausug women also wear a biyatawi which is a blouse with a tight-fitting bodice that flares at the waist.
It has a deep neckline that usually goes with a pendant. A dressy biyatawi has gold buttons on the
sleeves, neckline and the front opening. The men’s traditional headwear is called tobao by the
Maguindanao and Maranao. In Tausug, it is called ppis. This headwear is a cloth with geometric or floral
designs or Arabic calligraphy. Another common headgear is called kopiya, which is similar to the songkok
used in Indonesia and Malaysia. Men who have gone to Mecca wear a white cap called kadi.