CRAFTS,

ACCESSORIES, AND
BODY ORNAMENTS
OF MINDANAO
Butuan City used to be known as the
best in gold and boat manufacturing in
the entire Philippine archipelago. 
Butuan City is a highly urbanized city
and the capital of Agusan del Norte.
Butuan is known for its crafts in gold
such as the golden sash found in the
area. The golden sash is an intricate
weaving made from thin threads of gold.
This golden sash is a part of the Surigao
Treasure. 
The Butuan boats were made of
hardwood that can seat 25 people and
were built to withstand long voyages.
They provide evidence of maritime
trade, boat-building skills, and
seamanship long before Spanish
colonial times.
The golden
dragger handles
with fantastic
asymmetric forms
suggest raging
flames around the
bird’s head similar to
Garuda in
Indonesian
mythology.
The Golden Tara
represents the
complete union and
relation between man
and woman. It is one
of the few surviving
relics of the
Philippines adaptation
of the Hindu-Malayan
goddess.
Hilot is a heavy brass belt
worn by women during
festivals.
The T’boli nobility wear
with bracelets and anklets,
furnished with ball-bearings
that make sound as the
wearer walks.The bells that
are hung from the distinctive
brass or beaded belts signal
the approach of a woman.
Suwatlmimotis a
wooden comb with
colored glass beads
hanging from it,
worn toward the
back of the head.
Sarimanok is a
legendary bird of the
Maranao. It comes
from the words
“SARI” meaning
cloth or garment and
“MANOK” for
chicken.
It has come a significant symbol of
Maranao art. ‘
Its depicted as a fowl with colorful
wings and feathered tail, holding a
fish on its beak or talons. The head is
profisely decorated with scroll,leaf
and spiral motifs.
It is said to be a symbol of good
fortune.
Okir refers to traditional
and unique carving and
prominent to any design
among the pro ethno-
liguistic communities.
The name comes from an
old Malayan word which
means carve or “UKIT”
in Filipino. It is referred
Okir Motif has evolved from the
Indian stylized bird-like and naga
themes and the Islamic tradition of
using flowing flowers,vines and
geometric patterns as well as local
artisan styles.
The Manobo tribe inhabit the
river valleys, hillsides, plateus,and
interiors of Agusan, Bukidnon,
Cotobato, Dvao, Misamis Oriental,
and Surigao.
They are great weavers who create
necklaces and baskets that they use
in their daily lives.
The T’Boli of Highland Mindanao
opt for simplicity as opposed to
their more design- oriented
counterparts. Their banig, made of
locally found reed are typically not
dyed.
ARCHITECTURE
IN MINDANAO
 TOROGAN
• It is the ancestral house of the upper class
Maranao. It is the dwelling place of the datu
along with his wives and children.
• The National Mueum has declared the Maranao
totogan, specially the KAWAYAN TOROGAN
as one of the National Cultural Treasures
through Museum Declaration No. 4-2008.
 PANOLONG
• It is a wing-like ornament of torogan
flaring out from the beams.
• This Okir carving usually feautures
naga or serpent,pakorabong or
stylized fern,as well as floral and
star and bud motifs.
 BADJAO
HOUSES
• The Bajao,also known as Sama-Babau,
are the “Sea Gypsies” or nomads of the
Sulu Sea.
• Their main source of livelihood is
fishing and hunting ,thus,most of them
live in boat houses or houses on stilts
around the Sulu archipelago.
 FORT PILAR ZAMBOANGA
• The historical Fort Pilar, also called Real Fuerza
de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza,was
founded in 1635 and still stands strong until
today.
• It was engineered by Fr. Melchor de Vera, a Jesuit
priest.
• The pyramid-like structure was designed by the
National artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin. It
is one of his last design and considered as one of
his best,aside from the Cultural Center of the
Philippines and Davao International Airport.
 SANTO ROSARIO CHURCH
OF CAMIGUIN
• The church is located at the town of
Sagay,Camiguin Island .
• The original church was built in 1882 using coral
stones, but old infractructures were to weak.It was
retrofitted with steel bars using modern building
techniques.
• The unique things you can find in the church. The
builders used to local materials,particularyly
woven bamboo skin which highlights the local
traditions of the island.