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The Country and its People / People / The Philippine Muslims

All Muslim-Filipinos project a negative image to fellow Filipinos as they actually never have really wanted to be integrated into the political structure first set up by the Spaniards and then continued by the US and finally the modern Philippine state. Accordingly, they have not changed many of their customs and traditions. Up to the present, the women are still garbed in malongs instead of western dress, Arabic script is taught in schools, and nobility is still recognized.

Only the Muslims are allowed under the Philippine law to have more than one wife. The Civil Code of the Philippines expresses respect for the ancient practice of polygamy for Muslims in the otherwise monogamous Philippine society as the practice is regarded as a religious tradition.

The chances of complete integration of the Muslims into the mainstream Filipino society is still slight despite their use of institutions of the Christian dominated state, intermarriage with Christians, and active participation in running government affairs. Generally, Philippine Muslims identify themselves as Muslims rather than Filipinos.

Combined Number: 2.4 million (4.3% of the population)

Region: in south Mindanao, the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao, Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat, in western Mindanao, and the islands of Basilan, Jolo, Tawi-Tawi.

Groups: The Muslim Filipinos are further divided into ten major groups named after their respective dialects. These are the: Maguindanao (774,000), Tausug (592,000), Maranao (440,000), Samal (300,000), Yakan (123,000), Palawani (60,000), Badjao (40,000), Jama Mapun (35,000), Melibuganon (13,000), Sangil (13,000)

Maguindanao

Number: 774,000

Region: Cotabato

Community: The Maguindanao community is organized like a typical Filipino community, under the administration of the local government in spite of the presence of Muslim nobility.

Technological Level: They are equal to the average Filipinos in the amenities of modern living. They enjoy the luxuries of owning cars, television sets, refrigerators and other modern appliances. As a matter of fact, these Muslims trade in modern appliances in the key cities of the Philippines, e.g. Manila, Cebu, Davao and Zamboanga.

Education: more than 60% have attended school

Employment: 10 to 15 percent of the Maguindanaos are employed either locally or overseas, particularly in Middle East countries.

Tausug

Number: 592,000

Region: Jolo, Siasi and Tawi-Tawi

Community: In spite of the presence of Muslim nobility, their communities are administered by local government officials. Often, these local government officials are Tausugs themselves.

Technological Level: Modern appliances are very common in Tausug households.

Education: approximately 60 percent of the Tausug children go to school

Employment: Around 10 percent of the Tausugs are salaried employees either locally or abroad.

Maranao

Number: 440,000

Region: Lanao and Cotabato, living mostly around Lake Lanao, in Marawi City, and in 25 other lakeside communities

Community: Their communities are designed and run like ordinary Filipino communities, subject to the authority of elected local officials.

Technological Level: The Maranaos are familiar with the amenities of modern living.

Education: A majority of Maranaos have attended school.

Employment: Most of the professional Maranaos work for the government. Many non-professional Maranaos work overseas, especially in Muslim countries, as masons, carpenters, drivers, etc.

Samal

Number: 300,000

Region: Sibutu and Sulu

Community: Sultanate rule characterizes communities of the Samal.

Technological Level: It is common for them to have transistor radios and basic consumer goods.

Education: Some have reached high school but few go to college.

Employment: Very few are steadily employed, most are fishermen.

Yakan

Number: 123,000

Region: Basilan and Zamboanga

Community: They are under the jurisdiction of their respective town officials.

Technological Level: Transistor radios or tape recorders are common.

Education: Many have finished elementary education but only few go to college.

Employment: Seldom are Yakans steadily employed. The majority are either fishermen or traders.

Palawani

Number: 60,000

Region: Palawan

Community: Similar to a typical Filipino community under the leadership of local town officials.

Technological Level: Transistor radios and basic consumer items are common.

Education: Most have finished elementary education, but very few have gone to high school.

Employment: Farm tenants; traditionally, they are hunters.

Badjao

Number: 40,000

Region: Sulu

Community: They are boat living people known as sea gypsies. They owe allegiance more to their sultan than to the Philippine government.

Technological Level: Transistor radios, flashlights and basic consumer goods are found in ordinary Badjao households.

Education: low literacy rate

Employment: mostly fishermen, divers

Jama Mapun

Number: 35,000

Region: Cagayan de Sulu

Community: Their obedience is to their sultan. They live faithfully as Muslims.

Technological Level: Transistor radios, flashlights and basic consumer items are common.

Education: low literacy rate

Employment: divers, fishermen

Melibuganon

Number: 13,000

Region: Balabac Island

Community: Typically Muslim, including a sultan as their sovereign.

Technological Level: Basic consumer goods and transistor radios are common.

Education: literacy rate is low

Employment: fishermen, divers

Sangil

Number: 13,000

Region: Lanao and Cotabato

Community: Similar to a typical Philippine community except that they have traditional leaders for non-political matters.

Technological Level: They have transistor radios in their households, kerosene lamps and some basic consumer goods.

Education: majority can read and write

Employment: mostly traders but some are farm tenants

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