ARMM celebrates 26 years
MANILA, Philippines – The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) marks its 26th anniversary this month with peace programs and pageantry that highlight the Muslim lifestyle and activities that bat for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
For several centuries, Mindanao has been a separate region, which allowed it to establish its own culture and identity. This territory has been the homeland of Muslims ever since Arab trader Karim ul’Makhdum arrived in Sulu archipelago in the 14th century. Sultanates were established and maintained their independence even during the Spanish period. For over four centuries, Moros have resisted colonizers and have fought for their independence from the Philippine republic.
The ARMM was established in 1989 by a law that mandated an independent region in Muslim Mindanao. The ARMM was inaugurated on Nov. 8, 1990 in Cotabato City, the provisional capital.
This year’s festivities begin on Nov. 6 to 8 with a pilgrimage to the Sheikh Makhdum Mosque, cradle of Islam in the Philippines, in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi. The mayor hosts a feast of traditional cuisine outside of the mosque after the prayers.
The Master Chieftain Competition is a culinary contest among the seven ARMM tribes – Badjao. Tausug, Yakan, Maranao, Maguindanao, Sama, Iranun and Teduray. It will be held on Nov. 11 at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex. The competition engages tribal chieftains and sous chefs from the seven tribes to present their indigenous cuisine, from appetizer to dessert.
Native foods such as Maguindanaon pastil, boiled rice topped with chicken slivers and sinina or slices of goat meat drenched in coconut cream, burnt coconut shavings, ginger and pepper and the Tausug pyutu, a grated cassava cake, will be presented in innovative ways.
Nov. 18 will have cultural street dancing showcasing ethnic dances from Gov. Gutierrez Avenue to the ORG Compound in Cotabato City. Monthly free legal and health services will be held at the same venue.
In the evening, “Handog Pasasalamat,” a thanksgiving concert, will feature the dances of ARMM’s ethnolinguistic groups. Versions of the pangalay will be performed by the Badjaos and Tausug. Asik, a slave dance of Manguindanao, will feature women dancing with their janggay or metal nails. This is the precursor to the Singkil, the iconic Maranao dance with clapping bamboo poles.
The Yakans are known for their Baila, the fisherman’s dance, and Pangsak, the courtship dance. Pagapir is a famous dance of the Maranaos that shows off the graceful walk and twirling fans. For the men, Sagayan is the Maguindanao warrior dance.
On Nov. 19, ARMM celebrates its 26th anniversary as an independent region. Folk artists Coritha and Asin are guest artists.
On Nov. 29, the Peace Parade and Mindanao Week of Peace invites volunteers, peace advocates and various groups supporting non-violent means to end conflicts in Mindanao.
The Bike for Peace on Nov. 30 will travel from Cotabato City and Midsayap in North Cotabato to Datu Piyang and Datu Saudi in Maguindanao. Then, ARMM’s ethnolinguistic groups will be highlighted in a competition of exotic weaving at the ORG Compound.
This November, the ARMM focuses on activities that promote peace and harmony through its continuing campaign, “Breaking Barriers Journey through Bangsamoro Culture and History towards Peace and Development.”
