The Meranaos of Lanao

Maranao children about to perfom in school Sagayan, or war dance, a traditional dance of
the Moro people. INQUIRER PHOTO

MARAWI CITY —The entrepreneurial Maranaos, or more accurately Meranaos, are found all over the Philippines as vendors in markets selling DVDs, borloloys and a host of paraphernalia. As traders, a joke goes, you can also find Meranaos selling on the moon. Back home, Meranaos homes evoke ancient traditions of royalty in the treasure troves of old artifacts, furnitures and Islamic inspired frames.

Meranaos, the second largest cutural community among Muslim Filipinos, trace their roots in Lanao, the once undivided kingdom in northern Mindanao. They take pride in an ancient epic which is even older than the Indian masterpieces. The two Lanaos— Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte— celebrated their 56th year foundation last July 4 with festivities in Christian-dominated Norte and Islamic observances in Lanao del Sur.

Lanao del Sur rises up to an altitude of 700 feet above sea level and is the home of Lake Lanao, one of the ancient lakes of the world.

Because of its negative image, few know about the tourism potential of the Lanao provinces.
Lanao comes from the word ranao, meaning “lake.” Lanao is situated on the basin of majestic Lake Lanao. Many visitors are awe-struck by this mountain often likened to a sleeping beauty.

Lanao del Sur forms the western portion of Northern Mindanao. It is bound on the north by Lanao del Norte, on the east by Bukidnon, on the west by Illana Bay, and on the south by Maguindanao and Cotabato.

From Laguindingan International Airport, the main gateway to Northern Mindanao, Lanao is only a 3-hour leisurely drive away. Along the route, the landscape is dominated by rolling hills and valleys, placid lakes and rivers.

The mountain climate of Lanao is characterized by even distribution of rainfall throughout the year, without a distinct summer season. Lanao is also located outside the typhoon belt.

Lanao also has rich history, which some find to be as fascinating as its colorful artifacts. Their epic, Darangen, has been cited by UNESCO as a heritage of humanity.
When the Spaniards first explored Lanao in 1689, they found a well-settled community named Dansalan at the lake’s northern end.

In 1895, Lanao was created as a district of Mindanao. Lanao was incorporated into the Moro Province by the American government in 1903. In 1914, the province of Lanao was born with the organization of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu.

Lanao was the site of some of the bloodiest revolts in Philippine history. Hundreds of natives battled thousands of American troops in the wars in the towns of Taraka and Bayang. On May 2, 1942 , the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Jose Abad Santos was executed by firing squad by the Japanese Imperial Army at Malabang town. Maranao guerrilla units in World War II used their infantry weapons together with the Maranao kris, barong and kampilan swords against the Japanese Imperial forces during the Battle of Lanao .

When Lanao was divided into two provinces under Republic Act No. 2228 in 1959, Marawi was made the capital of Lanao del Sur. Marawi is the only Islamic City in the Philippines where during Ramadhan, the whole month is a holiday for schoolchildren.

Lanao also has hosted several uprisings led by the Bangsamoro Liberation Organization (BMLO) in the 1970s against the national government.

Because of the peace agreement between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the government, Lanao del Sur voted in a plebiscite to join the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in 1989. Many MILF camps are situated here.

Among the prominent Meranaos are former Senator Mamintal Tamano, the first lady Muslim Governor Princess Tarhata Alonto Lucman, Aleem Mahid Mutilan and former ARMM Governor Lininding Pangandaman.