Maranao culture can be characterized by: •
Lake Lanao •
Sarimanok (
Papanoka a Məra or
Marapatik) •
Torogan, Maranao royal houses, where the architecture used is the most aesthetic in the Philippines • Darangən, an epic
UNESCO Intangible cultural heritage • Kirim, pre-Hispanic handwriting based from
Arabic letters with 19 consonants and 7 vowels •
Singkil, a Philippine dance based on a scene from the
Darangən •
Okir wood and metal carvings • Kapmorod and Kakhalilang with
Sambolayang and Pasandalan a Morog and Marigay for Kazipa sa Manggis • Kaplagod (racing horses) • Tabo, a drum used in mosques to call worshippers to prayer Maranao culture is centered around Lake Lanao, the largest
lake in Mindanao, and second-largest and deepest lake in the Philippines. Lanao is the subject of various myths and legends. It supports a major fishery, and powers the
hydroelectric plant installed on it; the Agus River system generates 70% of the electricity used by the people of Mindanao. A commanding view of the lake is offered by Marawi City, the provincial capital.
Visual arts File:Mindanao Bangsamoro Islamic Art - 24556180573.jpg|alt=|Woodcarving of the
Sarimanok with
okir motifs File:Food jar (gadur), Mindanao, Maranao, brass with silver inlay, Honolulu Academy of Arts.JPG|alt=|
Gadur jar with silver inlay
Sarimanok,
Papanok a "Məra" or
"Marapatik" is a legendary bird of the Maranao that is a ubiquitous symbol of their art. It is depicted as a
Hoodhud (Arabic) with colorful wings and feathered tail, holding a fish on its beak or talons. The head of Sarimanok is like the head of a
Hoopoe (Balalatoc in maranaw) and is profusely decorated with scroll, leaf and spiral motifs (
okir). It is a symbol of good fortune. The Maranao have also developed their own adaptation of the
Ramayana epic, the
Maharadia Lawana. They also have a traditional dance, the
Singkil, which was based on another local Ramayana adaptation, the
Darangən.
Architecture Traditional Maranao architecture, like elsewhere in the
Philippines and at large
maritime Southeast Asia, follows the Austronesian framework of wooden structures on piles, divided in three tiers pertaining to social class:
torogan of royalty,
mala a walay of lesser nobility, and the common
lawig analogous to the
bahay kubo.
Music and performing arts ensemble at the
National Museum of Ethnology in
Osaka. Maranao
kulintang music is a type of a
gong music.
Sarunaay is also found among both Muslim and non-Muslim groups of the Southern Philippines.
Kobbing is a Maranao instrument and
Biyula is another popular Instrument. Biyula is a string instrument. In 2005, the Darangen Epic of the Maranao people of Lake Lanao was selected by
UNESCO as a
Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Cuisine Maranao cuisine is spicier compared to most regions elsewhere in the Philippines, a trait largely shared with much of Mindanao. Traditionally cultivated spices, locally known as
palapa (Bontang, native product of Gandamatu) are a common
condiment. It is made of stewed
sakurab scallion bulbs,
ginger, and
chillies in
coconut oil. Dishes are intertwined with important cultural rituals across all aspects of Maranao culture: from birth to death.
Social structure Traditionally, Maranao society is divided into two strata. Namely,
mapiyatao (pure) and
kasilidan (mixed blood).
kasilidan is further subdivided into categories which are as follows;
sarowang (non-Maranao),
balbal (beast),
dagamot (Sorcerer/Sorceress) and
bisaya (Slave). The
mapiyatao are natives entitled to ascend to thrones by pure royal bloodline. On the other hand, the
kasilidan are natives suspected of mixed bloodline. However, due to the changes brought by time, these social strata are beginning to decline due to the improving economic conditions of most Maranao families.
Economy The Maranao historically engaged in fishing and farming, cultivating crops such as
wet rice, corn, and sweet potatoes. Local crafts such as textiles and woodcarvings are popular and sold throughout the country. ==Demographics==