The End of Rmadan

This was the life in the City. They come in group because of easy means of
communi-
cations.
They can
commu-
nicate
to their
choice.
In the
rural area,
they
celebrate the
Id'l Fitr
through
a group
within any Masjeed. People who leave near any Masjeed can come in group.

Being one of the minority tribe of the Philippines. I come to celebrate the Id'l fitr with the group of Maranaw in our locality. I belong to ht rural area, which closeness of neighbors were normal. After the prayer, foods were prepared, enough for the entire community. We came to eat together, chatting every corners, especially mothers and grandmas.Parlor games came after the festive foods. The games do not exempt any age for male. They group themselves and give name to their groups. No one shows their reluctance as the males compete for the games.

This is one characteristic that rural people can boast. Their closeness shine in every affair of the community.As the games ended, the neighbors separate each others and returned home happy for the end of Ramadan.

Mine is to ask ALLAH(s.w.t.) to extend my life and bring me celebrate another year for this Holy month. Alhamdulillah!

HAPPY ID'L FITR TO ALL MULIMS IN THE WORLD!

Maranaw Decorations-I

This a Maranaw Traditional Dolang. A round-like tray, decorated with Ampas ( use to cover the Tabak, a tray-like, decorated with sequence). This traditional were still used these days, especially for a formal affair. The tray is made up of bronze. The Municipality of Togaya of Lanao del Sur is well-known for this thread. They sold their products locally and even import some of their products. This is the reason why our province is regarded as one of the Tourist spot in Mindanao. The Traditional wares of the Maranaw, made up of "okir" (traditional carvings) are popular among them. These really suit to the taste of the Tourists.
This traditional Dolang accommodates Muslim delicacies and natives foods, and being serve as a table. This requires no chairs, as the guest would just sit flat to the floor.These serves as their serving tray.













As a Maranaw, I treasure the decorations it has. Though I belong to the low-income level, but I have few collections that match to my economic status. i am fond of it as mere collections and decorations at home Other wealthy families collected these to prepare for a formal affair. this is true to politicians, as they accommodated more influential persons. A home of any Maranaw who can afford, will not call their house a home with out them. This tradition seal the status of a Maranaw. If we can see much of these in any residence, we immediately conclude as to the stability of once income. This become a symbol for ones economic status, we say, Datus and Baes, names address to Royal Family.

The joy for the Ramadan

Every Muslim in the world observe this Holy month. Being one of the minority tribe of Muslim, I enjoy with this Holy month. Our house is just meters away from the Masjeed. i enjoy watching those children, patiently waiting for the break of their fast.

There was thing in my mind, how this month motivate discipline to these kids. Did they really fast? Or they they are hiding some agenda so that their parents will keep trusting them that they are ended fulfilling their fasting. When I was in primary school, exactly 2 pm, my stomach keep troubling. Because our school was near to a spring water, I was many times tempted to drink water without sharing it to my classmates. Though how much I tried, my hands were pulled backed, as if my imagination was controlled. I was not able to play that trick

When I arrived home, my mother was so busy preparing foods. I remember my my interest in drinking. If I succeed in breaking my fast, I must not be entitled for this foods. These foods were for us, and our mother was in a hurry, thinking to have the best foods upon breaking our fast. From that time on, I never have another try.

Upon glancing those kids feasting to secure the supplied fruits, I realized my childhood. Could these kids like, who was once the tempted to break a fast? Did they ever realized the effect like mine? The Ramadan bring extra joy that when time to break the fast officially, we added extra confident in mind. A confident that only God knows. We motivated a sense of trust and commitment to our faith. No one implement us the values, but we know we must follow. We can betray this faith but God knows even the beating of our heart. It is in this manner that any Muslim can be motivated in a simple way with out imposing much reward or punishment, but only God can justify.

Traditional Maranaw Wedding

I belong to the traditional Maranaw wedding of 80's. Two days before the wedding, the bride's family will gather for the "Traditional Kambitiara". A Maranaw Cultural affairs will be presented days before the wedding. most common are the kambayoka and the kalilang

For the Kambayoka, sets of Onor or a Maranaw singer gather together and sing traditionally in the form of debate. A debate would be in form of Maranaw history or a Maranaw descendants and intellectual debates, philosophically express in form of Maranaw traditional language...known as "kapagongangen". An affair like this will have at least two singers as they were to sing alternately in one or two nights depending on the required length of time. we consider this to be the fondly affair.
As for the kalilang, this is a separate affair with the set of kolintang, agong, dubakan with each correponding players. this what we popularly regarded as maranaw instruments, played publicly which set of players will come and challenge another set of players. For purposes of research we can surf on related sites that focuses on this form. I hope I can elaborate it furhter when I can have the right source.