Villages’ expo showcased

OPENING of the Villages Expo. (BPI-ARMM)

COTABATO CITY --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is showcasing and promoting the region’s grandest mock tribal villages narrating the variety of cultures, traditions, history, and oneness of the Bangsamoro people. 

Launched last June 18, the ARMM villages’ expo is held inside the Office of the Regional Governor’s Compound here and is mounted to give the visitors a snapshot of the Moro’s vast cultural heritage.

“People will experience the beauty of the culture of the Bangsamoro people. We will provide them a complete image of what the ARMM has,” ARMM Governor MujivHataman said.

The exhibit focuses on celebrating the diversity of cultures of the region’s five component provinces that will form part of the 29th Founding Anniversary of the region.

The villages will feature a wide array of traditional living, tribal communities, livelihood, heritage, arts, cuisines, and products. Through the villages, people will be able to recognize and appreciate the similarities and differences of the Moro culture.

Atty. RasolMitmug, Jr., Department of Education-ARMM Secretary and a chieftain in a village in Lanaodel Sur, underscored that to capture the feel of his province, the mock village built Plaza Cabili, a landmark at the Islamic City of Marawi, which was ruined during last year’s conflict.

The Lanaodel Sur village, which carries the tagline, “Sarimanok Rising,” also features the Torogan, or House of the Sultan, that displays different artifactsof  theMaranaos.

“We also emphasize the Maranao’s entrepreneurial side that’s why we built a Padian, or market. We will also have the replica of the Bacolod Grande Mosque,” Atty. Mitmug said.

The Tawi-tawi village, or the Island Paradise as described by its chieftain Secretary DyanSangkulaJumaide of the ARMM’s Agrarian Reform department, is the simplest village among the participating provinces.

“We prefer to depict the real life of Tawi-tawians, which is peaceful and simple,” SecretaryJumaide said. 

The village has set up the Sheikh Makhdum mosque and mimics the scenery of the province with its white sand beach – Panampangan, Bud Bongao, and Tabu, or the public market.

Tagged as the Pearl of Sulu Sea, the Sulu Village highlights the AstanahDarulJambangan, a wooden life-size replica of the royal palace of the Sultanate of Sulu.

Don Mustapha Loong, Public Works and Highways-ARMM Secretary and Sulu Village chieftain, said the  AstanaDarulJambangan narrates the fact that the Sulu Sultanate already exists prior to the arrival of the Spaniards and the creation of the Philippine government.

The Sulu Village is the largest structure among the five villages built by far. It features the different cultures, arts, flags, handicrafts, swords, food, and information areas.

For the province of Maguindanao, two of its well-preserved artifacts will be featured in its village — the Lantaka (cannon) and the largest Kampilan (sword). A replica of Tulugan, or the House of the Sultan, was also built as the main attraction inside the village, which symbolizes the government of  theMaguindanaons.

Inside the Tulugan are various ancient instruments of the Maguindanaon tribe, which include Gandigan and Kulintang and the traditional weaves such as Inaul, Tudung, and Galang. Also in the Maguindanao village is a replica of the Quirino Bridge and Padian, or market.

In Basilan’s tribal village, Yakan cloth, or Tennun, is seen all over. “The Basilan village uses the tagline “Weavers of Peace” as the Yakans are basically weavers of peace,” said Executive Secretary and Basilan village chieftain Atty. LaisaAlamia.

A traditional house blessing will be performed in the Basilan village wherein dancers, together with the governor, mayors, and other officials of the province will welcome visitors to the village.

Each village will have its daily activities and is open to the public until the end of December. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)