IRANUN AND SAMA The Iranun people have a rich maritime
Presenter: Ali and Venus heritage, and fishing has been a
IRANUN
The Iranun people originate from the
southern Philippines, primarily in the
regions of Mindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-
Tawi.
They are particularly concentrated in
areas along the coastlines and riverbanks.
The Iranun are part of the larger Moro
ethnic group, which includes various
Muslim communities in the Philippines.
They are known for their distinct cultural
identity within the Moro group.
DIALECT
The Iranun people speak the Iranun
language, which is an Austronesian
language with Arabic influence.
It is written in a script known as Jawi,
based on the Arabic script.
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
The Iranun people are predominantly
Muslim, adhering to Sunni Islam.
They follow Islamic practices, including
daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan,
and adherence to Islamic law (Sharia).
TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS
Iranun culture places a strong emphasis
on hospitality and respect for elders.
Iranun culture is heavily influenced by
Islamic traditions and Malay customs.
They have a rich tradition of storytelling
and oral history.
Iranun communities often have traditional
leaders who play important roles in
resolving disputes and maintaining order.
OCCUPATION/ LIVELIHOOD
Fishing is the primary occupation of the
Iranun people in the Philippines due to
their proximity to water bodies, particularly
in the Mindanao region.
traditional livelihood passed down through
generations.
They rely on fishing for sustenance and
income, catching various types of fish and
marine life in the coastal and inland
waters.
CLOTHING
Traditional Iranun clothing for men
includes the "kandit" (a sarong) and a
"badju" (long-sleeved shirt).
They also wears the "susuksuk" (a head
covering).
Women wear the "badju Iranun"
(traditional dress) and cover their heads
with a "selendang" or scarf.
CUISINES
Iranun cuisine features a variety of
seafood due to their coastal location.
Common dishes include "tiyula itum"
(black soup), which is a beef stew with
burnt coconut, and "lepa-lepa" (grilled fish
wrapped in banana leaves).
Traditional snacks include "jambangan"
(sweet rice cakes) and "bodbod" (sticky
rice wrapped in banana leaves).
EPIC SONGS, DANCE AND
INSTRUMENTS
The Iranun people have a rich tradition of
epic storytelling through songs and dance.
Traditional Iranun dance often involves
graceful and rhythmic movements, usually
accompanied by traditional music.
Traditional instruments like the "kulintang"
(a gong ensemble) and the "agung" (a
large gong) are used to accompany these
performances.
RITUALS: Iranun culture includes various
rituals related to life events such as birth,
marriage, and death. They often have a
spiritual or religious significance.
SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS: Many Iranun
people hold superstitious beliefs related to
spirits, omens, and the supernatural
world. These beliefs influence daily life
and decision-making.
HOLIDAYS: The Iranun people celebrate
Islamic holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-
Adha, as well as traditional festivals.
BIRTHDAYS: Birthdays may not be as
prominently celebrated as other events,
but they hold significance within the
family.
COURTING AND MARRIAGE
Traditional Iranun courting involves the
exchange of poetic verses and gifts
between the prospective bride and groom.
Parents' approval is essential.
Iranun marriages often involve elaborate
ceremonies, including the payment of a
dowry and the signing of a marriage
contract.
DEATH/BURIAL
Iranun funerals typically involve several
stages, including bathing and shrouding
the deceased, funeral prayers, and burial.
Family and community members play a
significant role in helping with funeral
preparations and offering condolences to
the grieving family.
Iranun culture emphasizes the importance
of remembering the deceased through
rituals, prayers, and gatherings.
Burial is usually done as soon as
possible, following Islamic customs, with
the body placed in a simple grave facing
the holy city of Mecca.
SAMA
 The Sama people are one of the
main groups in the Sulu
Archipelago, also known as Samal
or Isama.
 They are often mistakenly thought
to have originated from Mandaya,
Mansaka, and Muslim groups.
 The Sama people assert that they
are a separate group with unique
music, art, and tribal rituals.
 Traditionally, individuals were
named after things in their
environment, and their family
name was complemented with
"Sama
The exact origin of the word "Sama" is
not certain, but some people think it might
come from the phrase "sama-sama,"
which means "togetherness."
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
 The Sama people follow a belief
system that combines elements of
Islam and traditional beliefs.
 They adhere to the Five Pillars of
Faith, including belief in one God
and daily prayers.
 They celebrate Islamic holy days
and listen to sermons by an imam.
 Ramadan is observed with fasting
from sunrise to sunset.
 The Quran is their holy book,
guiding various aspects of their
life.
 Daily prayers are directed towards
Mecca, and Friday prayers at the
mosque are common.
 They have their own beliefs, with
Tuhan representing good and
Sayitan representing evil.
 Traditional healers use herbs and
prayers to treat illnesses attributed
to Sayitan.
 They hold beliefs in various spirits
and supernatural entities,
including judgment after death,
ghosts, and harmful spirits like the
lutau.
CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
 Sama people have traditional
customs and rituals shaping their
lives.
 They traditionally had a social
structure with three classes:
aristocracy, free people, and
slaves, now reduced to elite and
lower-class majority.
 Sama communities live together in
groups of houses, strengthening
family bonds.
 Mosques are built for kin groups,
defining rights and duties of
members.
 Sama rituals blend Islamic and
traditional practices in the life
cycle.
 Special ceremonies mark
childbirth and protection from evil
spirits at age one.
 Boys undergo circumcision
symbolizing their entry into Islam.
 Gender-based education imparts
different skills and virtues as
children grow up.
OCCUPATION/ LIVELIHOOD
 The Sama people in Tawi-Tawi,
Philippines, mainly rely on fishing
and gathering sea products like
pearls and shells.
 Some also farm rice, coconuts,
and hemp, while a few do trading
and other jobs.
 These Sama communities are
known for specific skills, like
pottery making, boat building, or
weaving. They use the stars to
navigate and predict good fishing
or planting times.
 Sama people perform "dugsoon"
ritual before fishing or hunting.
 Led by a religious leader called
"balyan."
 Ritual involves betel nut,
limestone, and tobacco.
 Fresh fish placed on a rock,
balyan prays over it.
 Animal's liver placed on a fallen
tree trunk for hunting.
 Balyan seeks permission from
Magbabaya (spiritual figure)
before bringing the animal home.
POPULATION
 Sama population: 1983 - 244,160,
2007 - 475,000, 2014 - 639,618
 Tawi-Tawi population increase:
2000 - 5.53%
 Present estimate: Sama
population 500,000 to 900,000,
likely still growing.
LANGUAGES/DIALECTS
language/s
-Sinama
-Badjau
-filipino
-malay/Indonesian
Dialect/s
-Sama Ubian
-Sama Sibutu
-SamaSimunul
-Sama Kubung
CLOTHING
For Men:
 Everyday wear: "Sawwal kantiu"
loose trousers made of plain or
printed cotton.
 Special events: Richer fabric
versions of "sawwal kantiu."
 Tops: "Badjuh-lapi," a collarless
jacket.
 Accessories: "Kamban" or
"papanda" for fastening.
For Women:
 Everyday wear: "Sawwal kantiu"
trousers paired with a "Sablay"
loose-sleeved blouse.
 Special occasions: Tight-fitting,
dark-colored "biyatawi" blouse
with metal buttons.
 Traditional skirt: "Patadjung" with
various patterns, used in multiple
ways.
 Embellishments: "Siyag" or
"habul" intricately embroidered
"patadjung."
 Accessories: "Panyuh" to cover
the neckline.
EPIC SONGS
The Sama people, have a rich tradition of
epic songs and narratives. One such epic
song among the Sama people is known
as the "Darangen" or "Darangen epic."
The Darangen is a traditional pre-Islamic
epic of the Maranao people, who are
closely related to the Sama.
DANCES
  Sama dance traditions, like igal or
pangalay, are similar to Tausug
and involve female performers
wearing sablay or biyatawi attire.
 These dances are categorized as
entertainment, occupational, or
religious, often accompanied by
kulintangan or gabbang music.
DELICACIES
The Sama people, who primarily reside in
coastal areas of the Philippines, have a
rich culinary tradition with a variety of
delicacies and dishes that reflect their
maritime lifestyle. Here are some
traditional delicacies and foods commonly
enjoyed by the Sama tribe:
kasagingan
Panyalam
Lansek
Pastil
Tiyula itum
inunan
laksam
Sutukil
Nakanmuan
INSTRUMENTS
Some of the instruments commonly used
by the Sama tribe, especially in their
cultural and celebratory events, includes:
-agong
-kulintang
-dabakan
-gabbang
-suling
-kutyapi
RITUALS
 Sama people have diverse rituals
like Pag-umboh, Pag-diwata, and
more, deeply rooted in their
maritime culture.
 These ceremonies reflect their
spiritual beliefs and are essential
elements of their cultural heritage
SUPERTITIOUS BELIEFS AND
HOLIDAYS
 Sama people have unique
superstitions, including beliefs in
ancestral and nature spirits,
taboos, and dream interpretation.
 They celebrate special cultural
days like Eid al-Fitr and Hari Raya
Puasa.
 These customs are part of their
distinct indigenous culture.
BIRTH BAPTISALS/ BIRTHDAYS
 The Sama people have a birth
and baptismal practises like
naming ceremony, Islamic
traditions, cultural elements,
offerings and prayers.
 In birthdays most of them use the
Islamic calendar, they have a
family celebrations, have a
community and cultural
celebrations, and have a
traditional gifts.
COURTING AND MARRIAGE
Sama courtship is rooted in cultural
norms:
 Respect for elders is crucial.
 Arranged marriages are common.
 Gift-giving and traditional arts play
roles.
 Sama marriage blends tradition,
culture, and Islamic customs.
 Key elements: arranged
marriages, gift exchanges, Islamic
ceremonies.
 Also involves family consent,
community support, and post-
wedding celebrations.
DEATH/ BURIAL
 Burial custom: Coffin made from
duldul wood.
 No embalming; soil placed under
the body to reduce odor.
 Prohibited items at wake: Foamy
drinks (e.g., tuba), ripe bananas,
jackfruit.
 Burial method varies based on
cause of death.
 Ritual during burial: Guwang
performed by balyan.
 Superstitions: Cutting a coconut
tree or breaking plates/glasses to
avoid further deaths.
 Water poured on stairs, avoiding
coffin spray.