Mindanao Ethnic Patterns

Margrette Dolores Lopez

Gr. 7 Maalalahanin
T’Boli
The T’boli mostly live in South Cotabato.

T’boli, B’laan, and Tiruray belong to a single language group and are
distinct from the other languages of Mindanao. Like the other indigenous
languages of Mindanao, the T'boli language is a language of the Southern
Philippine sub-branch of the Western Malayo-Polynesian branch of the
Austronesian family.

T’boli employ slash-and-burn farming in planting corn, upland rice,

vegetables, and root crops. The bulk of their produce is for household
consumption, but some of it is used in bartering for other household
necessities. 
T'nalak is a sacred cloth woven by the T'boli. It is
traditionally made by women of royal blood.

T’nalak has a distinctive tri-colour scheme: White for the

pattern, red for relief elements and black (or deep brown)
for the background. Fibres used in weaving are harvested
from the abaca tree and prepared in a process known as
kedungon.

T’nalak is used for ritual purposes, as an offering to the

spirits and during festival celebrations. It is also exchanged
between families for food and supplies in the T'bolis’ barter
economy, which endures to this day.
Yakan
The Yakans mostly live in Basilan, Mindanao.

They speak a dialect of Sama language and are culturally

influenced in some respect by the Tausug.

The Yakans’ chief means of livelihood is farming, and they

usually cultivate upland rice. They do not normally live in
compact villages, building their houses just out of sight of their
nearest neighbors, on their plots of farmland. The prominent
person in each community of Yakan is the iman, who combines
both religious and sociopolitical leadership. 
Yakan women are especially recognized for their
skill in weaving. Their colourful fabrics, featuring
vibrant geometric patterns and designs inspired
by the natural environment, have long figured in
local rituals. Yakan weaving uses bright, bold and often
contrasting colours in big symmetrical patterns. The
inspiration for designs comes from island living and Islamic
sacred geometry.