Cultures in Mindanao Content Chapter 1 and 2 PDF

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Chapter 1 Introduction to Cultures in Mindanao Chapter Description: This chapter will discuss the conceptual framework of the cultures in Mindanao subject. It is divided into two lessons which are expected to inculcate awareness and understading into the minds of students about the relevance of studying the diversed culture in Mindanao.

Chapter outcomes: At the end of the chapter, the students can: 1. Define the meaning of culture; 2. Identify the major religions in Mindanao; and 3. Assess the diversed culture in Mindanao.

LESSON 1: Cultures in Mindanao: it’s meaning and history

From: https://diversityfocus.com.au/thoughts-on-cultural-diversity/

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Pre-Discussion: Culture has so come to mean its loftier dicta (like literature and the arts) that we have needed a Marshall McLuhan to remind us that the medium itself is the message. And the message is: metamorphosis. We are being shaped by the tools we shape; and culture is the way of life being impressed on a community by its technics. History then would properly be the study of those epochs that are new tools, or novelties in media, or advances in technique, because such epochs, by altering the culture, alter the courseof the community, with vivid effects on its politics, economics and arts. But it is these effects that usually pass for historical events, to the exclusion of the real event that produced them. Lesson Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, the students can: 1. Define what is culture; 2. Examine the history of Mindanao; and 3. Explain the relevance of studying the different cultures in Mindanao. Lesson Discussion: Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. The word culture derives from a French term, which in turn derives from the Latin “colere”, which means to tend to the earth and grow, or cultivation and nurture. The culture of the Philippines comprises a blend of traditional Filipino and Spanish Catholic traditions, with influences from America and other parts of Asia. The Filipinos are family oriented and often religious with an appreciation for art, fashion, music and food. Mindanao: History In the middle of the 14th century, Islam spread from Malaya and Borneo to the Sulu Archipelago and from there to Mindanao. The arrival of the Spanish in the late 16th century united the various Muslim groups in a war against the conquerors that lasted 2

some 333 years. The Moros likewise resisted American domination; fighting between U.S. garrisons and Muslim groups occurred early in the 20th century. Although many of the Philippine Islands suffered extensive damage in World War II, Mindanao emerged relatively unscathed. As the chief frontier left in the difficult reconstruction years, it was the object of government colonization projects. During the 1960s it experienced a phenomenal population increase and very rapid development. These changes brought serious problems. The native Moros, finding themselves outnumbered and in many cases pushed off their lands, retaliated with terrorist activities. When the Philippine army attempted to restore order, fierce fighting often resulted. In 1969 and the early 1970s several thousand people were killed and hundreds of villages were burned. In 1971 anthropologists reported the discovery of the Tasaday, whom they portrayed as a Stone Age people inhabiting caves in Mindanao's rain forest and threatened by the encroachment of lumbering, mining, and ranching interests. By the mid-1980s, when evidence had emerged indicating that the Tasaday were perhaps a division of a neighboring, comparatively sophisticated people, there arose a suspicion that the Tasaday phenomenon was a hoax, possibly instigated by the Marcos government. In 1976 the Philippine government pledged to grant autonomy to several provinces in Mindanao. It was not until 1990, following a plebiscite boycotted by many Muslims and dominated by Christian majorities in a number of provinces, that the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (now consisting of the Mindanao provinces of Maguindanao and Lanaodel Sur and the Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Basilan provinces in the Sulu Archipelago) was granted partial autonomy. Muslim discontent with partial rule persisted, and unrest and violence continued through 1990s. A 1996 agreement led to peace with one group of rebels and the expansion of the autonomous region in 2001. Negotiations continued with another Moro group, but they and fundamentalist Islamic guerrillas have continued fighting and terror attacks.

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An agreement reached (November, 2007) in principle with the second Moro group collapsed after it was challenged in court (and subsequently declared unconstitutional). Significant fighting broke out beginning in Aug., 2008, between government forces and some Moro rebels. Government military operations continued until mid-2009. Peace talks resumed late in 2009, but subsequently there were occasional outbreaks of fighting. In 2012 the government and the second Moro group signed a framework peace agreement that would create a new autonomous region superseding the current one, but that accord prompted a splinter group of the rebels who had signed the 1996 agreement to launch attacks in September, 2013. A 2014 peace agreement with the second group called for replacing the autonomous region by 2016 with a new one, to be called Bangsamoro, with somewhat enlarged territory and increased autonomy, but legislation creating Bangsamoro was stalled into 2016. Five months of devastating fighting erupted in Marawi between the military and hundreds of Islamic militants after a military raid in May 23, 2017, to capture the militants' leader failed. Mindanao is a cultural tapestry. It is home to 18 Lumad tribes, 13 ethniclinguistic Moro tribes and 64 settler groups who have lived in the island for over a century already. Mindanao is an island of peoples with diverse ethnic backgrounds and cultural differences. But for people to coexist in an island, they have to recognise these differences. It takes recognition of such diversity to pave the way for respect. Such acceptance would strengthen the distinctiveness as a people and as well preserve the respective cultural identities of Lumads, Moros and settlers. Peace can be achieved if people were able to experience and maintain their wholeness as human beings. Peace is felt if human dignity is preserved. This can only be possible if human rights are recognized, respected and defended at all times. Peace will remain elusive if justice is not fully rendered. Human rights then should be treated as an integral component of peace.

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The struggle for self-determination as espoused by peoples in Mindanao has been a protracted one - in various forms and levels - from the mountains, to the streets and to the cold halls of the congress. The right to choose and decide what is best as a people is a sacred right. The deprivation of it would render a subservient people with no political will; with no determination to chart their own lives. Mindanao is the second largest major island (based on surface area) in the Philippines. It located in the southernmost end of the archipelago. Mindanao is punctuated by five major peninsulas and five major mountian ranges, some volcanic in origin. It has an abundance of mineral resources such as iron, nickle, cooper, silver, gold, coal and limestone. It also the source of major agricultural resources in the Philippines like pineapple, corn, coffee, copra, cocoa and abaca (hemp).The bodies of water surrounding the island of Mindanao is likewise has a rich variety of fish, shellfish and corals. Mindanao is neighboring the countries of Malaysia and Indonesia. Its proximity to these two countries explains the very early migration of people between the countries. Sailing the Sulu Seas The vinta, together with pearl divers, and the Badjao boat dwellers, form the romance of the Sulu seas. The vinta'scolorful sail decorates many a picture of southern Philippine sunsets beckoning the adventurous at heart to the joys and wonder of riding big waves. Actually, the vinta is not safe for long ocean travel. It is a very small and unsteady sailboat, used only for short trips on days with normal breezes. Vinta is how the sailboat is called by the maritime people of the Sulu archipelago. Some say it may be a name coined by the Spaniards. The boat is more commonly known as lepa-lepa or sakayan. The bigger boats used got crossing high seas are the kumpitand sahpitor the Indonesian parao. The

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sahpitis used as a large houseboat or for transportating cargo. The kumpit is notoriuous as the official carrier of sumgglers in the south and is said to outpace Navy patrol boats because of its powered engine. Except for small fishing boats, most boats in the high seas of Sulu have motors. The parao is fitted with an inboard Volvo engine and is widely known now as "volvo". Vintas with very colorful sails still abound along some seashores, especially of seaside resorts, for tourists who want a bit of romance and adventure. Zamboanga hosts a vinta regatta each year. A fleet of vintas crosses the close to 23 kilometer wide Basilan Strait. Watching the regatta can be a romantic adventure in itself. Local history of Mindanao: a cultural thread that binds The study, teaching, and learning of history from local to national are central to people’s social awareness. It tells the story of how families, communities, regions and nations were born, experienced their early formation, came of age, grew and matured. By helping people and communities discover their cultural roots, it helps give them the identity to find their place in society and the foresight to give them directions to their future. It necessarily aims to describe and explain life and society in motion, across the pathways of time and many generations. School is one of the most popular avenues for us to acquire knowledge, skills, and values in order to better understand the individuals and the society. However, it has been evident that people, nowadays, have left cultural sensitivity aside despite the level of education they have received. With globalization and modernization it is inevitable for everyone to learn and accept intercultural learning. First, bridging cultural gaps would allow one to understand the reason behind the different practices of people from all over the world. Without oeping ourselves to diversity we would not know the Maranaos, for example, are different from the Iranons even though they ar both ethnic groups in Mindanao. Second, intercultural learning helps inculcate values such as empathy, open mindedness, respect, and inclusivity. Empathy is seen in the way one would learn not to judge a person based on their personality, cultural background, race and familial upbringing. Furthermore, the value of respect is one of the most vital. It reflects the level of humanity we have towards others. 6

In terms of the value of belongingness, intercultural learning allows us to make everyone feel like they are of the general whole. Moreover, the study, teaching, and learning of history, more than any other social study, are inter-disciplinary. It requires both its teachers and students to look at life and society in its multi-dimensional quality, and thorugh multi-dimensional vision, not simply from any one single angle. As the festival highlighted, local history serves as a child’s introduction to history. Giving meaning to things, places, and people familiar to primary-school-age children through historical tours, visits, and exercises helps kindle in them an appreciation for history, social solidarity, and nationalism. However, as much as the research, writing, teaching and learning of history are key to cultural identity, it is seriously challenged by many factors. As Dr. Asain chared, the writing of history is both demanding and poorly funded. Local government funding is a must.

ASSESSMENT: In the spaces below, answer the questions in 100 words each. 1. What is the importance of studying culture especially in Mindanao? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 2. In your own perspective, what is culture? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

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LESSON 2: Major Religions in Mindanao Pre-Discussion: Religion, refers to human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence. This relation and concerns are expressed in terms of one’s relationship with or attitude toward gods or spirits; in more humanistic or naturalistic forms of religion, they are expressed in terms of one’s relationship with or attitudes toward the broader human community or the natural world. In many religions, texts are deemed to have scriptural status, and people are esteemed to be invested with spiritual or moral authority. Believers and worshippers participate in and are often enjoined to perform devotional or contemplative practices such as prayer, meditation, or particular rituals. Worship, moral conduct, right belief, and participation in religious institutions are among the constituent elements of the religious life. Lesson Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, the students can: 1.identify the two (2) major religions practiced in Mindanao; 2.discuss the teachings of the two different religions; and 3.enumerate the dominant religious affiliations practiced in the different provinces in Mindanao. Lesson Discussion As diverse as the Mindanao Island Group can be, the same is true for the religions embraced by its people. Christianity and Islam are the two most widely spread across Mindanao. These two together cover the religious affiliation of more than half of the islands’ population. Around 57% of its citizens claim membership in the Roman Catholic Church and about 23.4% declared Islam as their religious preference. Among the six regions in Mindanao, Roman Catholic is the dominant belief except in ARMM. Davao Region has the highest proportion of Roman Catholics. 8

Members of the Muslim community are concentrated I nthe five provinces of ARMM. Among the 28 provinces in Mindanao, Lanao del Sur has the largest percentage of Muslims with 94% of its population practicing Islam, contributing approximately 4.05% of the islands’ total population. Other religious affiliations together compromise approximately 12.56% of Mindanao’s population. Persons who did not designate a religious preference account for 0.16% of the population in Mindanao.

Islam Explained Islam completes the long chain of guidance from God to humanity. Meticulously preserved and thoroughly documented, Islam’s message has a familiar resonance, owing to its shared history and common values, with Abrahamic religions. Additionally, Islam reiterates a return to basic principles of faith: belief in one God, righteous living, and faith in the afterlife. Islam is a faith and comprehensive way of life that literally means’ peace through submission to God. It provides a clear understanding of a person’s relationship with God, purpose in life, and ultimate destiny. A Muslim is someone who adopts the Islamic way of life by believing in the Oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad, peace be upon him. Today, Islam is one of the fastest growing religions and is practiced in the world. Islam: Monotheistic belief in God The most essential principle in Islam is the purely monotheistic belief in one God. God is the Creator of everything in the universe and is unique from His creation. Muslims are encouraged to develop a direct and personal relationship with God without any intermediaries. Muslims refer to God as Allah. Islam is the culmination of the universal message of God taught by all of His prophets. Muslims believe that a prophet was chosen for every nation at some point in their history, enjoining them to worship God alone and delivering guidance on how to live peacefully with others. 9

Purpose of Life Islam clearly addresses one of the most central and challenging questions in human history: “What is the purpose of life?” For Muslims, the purpose of life is to worship God, the Creator of all things. Worship in Islam is a comprehensive concept that urges people to be conscious of God throughout their daily lives and provides a framework to help people live a balanced and virtuous life. This way of life promotes strong moral character, good relations with people, and just and harmonious societies. Devoting one’s self to a life of submission to God is the key to attaining a true sense of peace because it produces a balance of spiritual needs with worldly affaris. It also lends special special meaning to the concept of living one’s life responsibly, aware of the accountability to come in the hereafter. Worship in Islam Worship in Islam is woven into the daily life of a Muslim and is not confined to a holy place. The fundamental aspects of worship in Islam are encouraged within five pillars, which enable Muslims to cultivate their relationship with God. 1. Testimony of Faith (Shahadah): The first of the five basic foundations is knowingly and voluntarily asserting that, “there is nothing worthy of worship except God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” This statement is the basis of faith in Islam, affirming that no partners can be associated with God and Muhammad is His final prophet. As a result of this belief, Muslims seek guidance in life through God’s revelation (the Qur’an) and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). 2. Prayer (Salah): Muslims are required to pray five times a day to maintain a spiritual connection with God and remind themselves of their ultimate purpose in life. Through sincerity, repentance, and direct prayer to God, Muslims strive to establish a personal spiritual relationship with their creator all throughout the day. This prayer includes physical motions of bowing and prostrating, which were also performed by Jesus, Moses, and the prophets before them.

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3. Charity (Zakah): This is an annual charity given to the poor. Muslims must give 2.5% of their yearly savings to help the poor, the needy, and the oppressed. Charity is one of the vital sources of social welfare in Islam, encouraging a just society where everyone’s basic needs are provided for. 4. Fasting (Sawm): Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar, by refraining from eating, drinking, and sexual interaction from dawn to sunset. It is an act of self-restraint and spiritual cleansing that increases one’s empathy for the leass fortunate and enables one to consciously control bad habits such as foul language, idle talk, and anger. Fasting also helps people develop strong willpower as they overcome the essential desires of their body and the damaging acts of their tounge. 5. Pilgrimage (Hajj): The pilgrimage (journey) to Mecca is an act that every Muslim must perform once in their life if they are physically and financially able. It symbolizes the unity of humankind as Muslims from every race and nationality assemble together in equality to worship God, following the traditions of Prophet Abraham. Christianity Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in the world, with more than 2 billion followers. The Christian faith centers on beliefs regarding the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While it started with a small group of adherents, many historians regard the spread and adoption of Christianity throughout the world as one of the most successful spiritual missions in human history. Christianity is the religion that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is the religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and profe...