NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Basic Education Department

MAPEH

Folk Arts and Crafts of Mindanao

MODULE 3

Prepared by:

JILSON C. LUCERO
MAPEH Teacher

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Folk Arts and Crafts of Mindanao
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Basic Education Department

INTRODUCTION:

Prior to the colonization of the Spaniards, Filipinos already had their own rich artistic and
cultural traditions. These are evident in the arts and crafts featured in this unit.
In the previous units, you have explored the Filipinos sense of artistry and rich culture in
Luzon and the Visayas regions. This unit will help you more in identifying unique characteristics
of arts and crafts in specific areas in Mindanao such as the maritime vessel called balangay
from Butuan, colorful vinta from Zamboanga, Maranao’s malong, brassware crafts, okir,
panolong, and torogan, T’boli’s tinalak and accessories, Tawi-tawi’s Pangalay dance and the
sarimanok.
You will also learn to compare and analyze the uniqueness of the Yakan’s fabric and
their love for colors which are evident in their face makeup and boy ornamentation with that of
luzon’s and the Visayas’. This unit will also provide you information and activities that will
deepen your appreciation and understanding of Mindanao’s imaginative and creative
intelligence in the field of visual and cultural arts.

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Folk Arts and Crafts of Mindanao
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Basic Education Department

CHECKPOINT:

DIRECTION: Write words the is related to the arts and crafts of Mindanao

Arts and Crafts

of Mindanao

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Folk Arts and Crafts of Mindanao
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Basic Education Department

FOLK ARTS AND CRAFTS OF THE CARAGA AND ARMM

LESSON 1 REGIONS

Folk arts and crafts from Mindanao consist of bright and colorful clothing and body
accessories, paintings, and decorative weaves. Art highlights athe daily living of people in
Mindanao.

Caraga Region

The gold jewelries was originally found in Butuan, a province found in the Caraga
region. It is said that to this day, no goldsmith’s technology could equally compare their sense
of ingenuity. The people in the area believed that the gold accessories shown were probably
worn by a powerful chieftain in the area during the early years. The golden sash is part of the
Surigao Treasure.

Here are some other treasures found in the region:

1. Notice the bird’s head curvilinear design and unequaled form evoke powerful flames.
During the ancient times, the sun was also called hari or king. The artifacts symbolizes
the Butuan king’s divine power.
2. According to ancient beliefs, the engraved curvilinear designs on headbands and facial
covers look like a snake or a dragon. This signifies the sea, which the early Filipinos has
mastered navigating.
3. The abstract pattern express the vitality of the ancient civilization of the Filipinos.
Patterns used survived in the tradition of the Southern Philippine okir design.
4. The early Filipino artisans were believed to have used a certain bamboo stylus-styled
tool in scripting the patterns on the hammered sheets.

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Folk Arts and Crafts of Mindanao
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Basic Education Department

Balanghai or Balangay is a planked boat connected by a carved-out plank edged through

pins and dowels.

The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)

Lanao
Lanao is one of the province in the ARMM region. Historically, people in this province,
who are called Maranao, were the last major group to embrace the Islamic faith and the most
successful in resisting the Spaniards’ colonization. The Maranaos are also known as the
“people of the lake”

Torogan house Torogan house (bahay lakan) is a Marano house that symbolizes
high social status. It is a residence to a sultan or datu.

Sarimanok Sarimanok is a legendary mythical bird of the Maranaos. It comes

from the words sari and manok. Sari means “cloth” or “garment with
assorted colors.” Manok means “chicken”. It is said ti be a symbol of
good luck for the Maranaos.

Kampilan Kampilan is a type of single-edged long sword traditionally

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considered as one of the most dangerous weapon in Mindanao.

Mamadyang Mamadyang is a tapestry usually hung around the Maranao’s living

or dining room.

Baur Baur (Maranao’s baul) is a wooden box with intricate patterns

and designs. This is where the Maranaos usually keep their personal
belongings and treasures.

Gador Gador is a Maranao’s container that usually serves as wedding gifts.

It is embelished with okir designs.

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Folk Arts and Crafts of Mindanao
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Vinta A traditional boat from the Philippine Island of Mindanao. It has a

sail with assorted vertical colors that represents the colorful culture
and history of Muslim community.

Okir Okir or Okkil is the term for geometric and flowing designs usually
found as folk motifs in Maranao artworks. It is often based on an
elaborate leaf and vine pattern.

Malong Malong is a large, colorful woven cloth wrapped around the body.

The introduction of the printed landap. Landap is a type of malong marked by a vertical
woven strip sewn into the entire length of the body of malong.
Types of Landap:

1. Landap a benaning- yellow (wore by aristocrats)

2. Landap a gadong- green
3. Landap a mariga- red
4. Landap a maitem- black
5. Landap a ranbayong- violet
6. Landap a kasomba- pink

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FOLK ARTS AND CRAFTS OF NORTHERN MINDANAO

LESSON 2 AND SOCCSKSARGEN REGIONS

SOCCSKSARGEN is an administrative region in the country that is located in South-

central Mindanao. The name is the acronym for the region’s four provinces: South Cotabato,
Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City.

The T’boli also known as the Tiboli or Tagabili, are among the indigenous peoples of
SOCCSKSARGEN. Some sources states that T’boli comes from Tau-bili, tau meaning “small
human creature” and bili meaning “fruit from the wild vine”. They are also known for being
“dream weavers”.

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T’Boli Attire
Swat Koyu Swat Koyu means “headdress”. This is used
to emphasize the beauty of the T’boli
women.

Bekelew The T’bolis bekelew is a necklace made of

beads and hawk bells.

“Kegal T'boli” traditional dress

Kegal bentilas The traditional female blouse

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Lewek tedeyung Skirt

Hilet lemimet The women are also wearing beautiful

beaded belts.

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FOLK ARTS AND CRAFTS OF DAVAO AND ZAMBOANGA

LESSON 3 REGIONS

In the Davao
region, there is also
a cultural group
whose artistry and
ingenuity in weaving
cloth is well-known—
the Bagobos. They
are one of the most
colorful people in
Southern Mindanao.
They are also known
for their heavily
embroidered abaca
clothing with beads
and stitch works. They are known for their exemplary skills in metal crafting like bronze, brass
and iron. Their art if Betel boxes contributes to the richness of their culture. One of the distinct
trademarks of the Bagobo is their relentless tinkling of tiny brass bells attached to their
clothing.

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ACTIVITY

Direction:
1. Sarimanok is a legendary mythical bird of the Maranaos and it is known to be
colorful.
2. Your task is to create your own version of sarimanok.
3. You may draw the Sarimanok or just print the picture given on the next page.
4. Make it colorful.
5. Put your output on a clean bond paper.

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TEST II. Direction: Identify the parts of T’boli Attire for Women.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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Folk Arts and Crafts of Mindanao
 NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Basic Education Department

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Folk Arts and Crafts of Mindanao