The Indigenous Cultural Communities

The B???laan is one of the major indigenous cultural communities in Koronadal. They comprise one of the major non Islamic tribal groups in Southern Philippines. The Blaan are found originally in that vast plain that stretches from the shore of the Buluan Lake moving southward to the Bay of Sarangani. In the Province of South Cotabato, they occupy all the towns except that of Norala, Surallah and Lake Sebu. The Koronadal valley along with Allah valley are famous for its traditional hunting grounds before the arrival of migrant Christian settlers in the 1930???s.

The language is b'laan that is hardly similar to any neighboring tribe except the T???boli ???s where some striking similarities occur. The blaans have their own system of weaving using abaca fiber as materials. They have also mastered the art of melting brass and copper, they make small bells and handle of their long knives known as ???Fais??? - an intricately designed brass work. They are also good in making use of plastic beads into intricate designs sewn on trousers. The most valuable design on woven trousers shell sequins is the ???Takmon??? or mother of pearl beads. They also sewn geometric and other designs using cotton yarns on male pants hemline and shirts depicting the environment and the solar system. This is called ???msif???. They believe that they are part of the grand design of creation and that everything evolves around the great creator that they called Malu or D???wata. They believe that the Creator is the source of everything whether living or inanimate by ???malu???. Thus, trees according to species have different guardians, the cliff, the mountains, the lakes and river, the streams the rocks, etc are guarded individually by spirit beings. Man, despite his being the more favored of the creatures, must respect the will of the Creator, that he cannot touch or molest any creature or object without seeking permission form the Creator through his guardians.

B'laans have rituals for everything that they do, from selecting the place for a farm planting, harvest and post harvest because of their belief on the supremacy of the Great Creator. Their belief systems are considered to be animistic, and only 5% of the 448,000 Blaan cultural communities are considered to have embraced Evangelical Christianity. With the influx of the settler Filipinos from Luzon and Visayas, the Blaans now live in cluster communities scattered in South Cotabato, Sarangani Province, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur. In Koronadal, they are mostly concentrated in Barangays Assumption, Cacub, Saravia and San Jose.

The Settler Cultural Communities

Heavy migration to Mindanao of people from Luzon and Visayas spurred by government-sponsored resettlement program marked the transmigration of the different cultural groups. By the time the Philippine Commonwealth was established, Mindanao had become a veritable frontier.

Wave upon wave of migrants poured into the region. In Koronadal, chief among them are the Cebuanos from Cebu, Ilocanos from the Province of Ilokos, Ilonggos from Ilo-ilo and the Province of Panay and Capiz, Tagalogs in the regions of Metro Manila, Warays of Leyte-Samar, Kapampangans in the Province of Pampanga, and the Aklanons of the Province of Aklan and Antique.

The Visayans settlers who speak Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a or similar twist to both language are the major language used in Koronadal City. Around 75% of the Christian Filipinos makes up the great majority of the Southern Philippine population have roots in the islands of Central Philippines. They are generally the people of Panay, Guimaras and Negros Occidental. The tradition that they follow can be referred to as ???Kinabisaya???.

The Provinces of Leyte and Samar brought also their people to reside in Koronadal. The Warrays are famous for their mat weaving traditions of using Tikog to create beautifully hand woven and embroidered mats with flowers, birds, fishes and sceneries. Other similar folk traditional arts forms also include pottery skills in the nearby municipality of the city which can be traced from Tanuan, Leyte and Biliran. The Ilokanos of Ilocos Provinces are famous for their Dinengdeng, Bagnet and Pinakbet. The latter has evolved into different versions depending on the groups of people. While the Cebuanos are famous for their Chicharon and Otap. The Kapampangans have mastered Kare-Kare and other famous delicacies. Each group has brought their culinary traditions in Koronadal. Over the years, it has evolved to be distinctly Mindanaoan.

Marked by the promise of land and tenure in Mindanao, they have all lived alongside with the Lumad or the Indigenous Groups and the Islamized groups indigenous to South Cotabato. The pioneer settlers have now produced up to 5 generations of Settler Filipinos in the City of Koronadal. All have considered themselves to be truly Mindanaoan. They have embraced a Mindanao way of life, diverse, multi-lingual and multi-cultural.

The Islamic Cultural Communities

Originally, Maguindanaoan is the name of the dynasty which came to rule almost the whole island of Mindanao, particularly the former Empire of Cotabato. It later refers to the Muslim people who live in the Pulangi valley which sprawls the Southwestern part of Mindanao which stretches from North Cotabato to the Province of Sarangani and includes, the Provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao. They accepted Islam in the last quarter of the 15th Century. The greatest contribution of the Maguindanao to civilization in Southeast Asia were the Sultanates of Maguindanao and Buayan. The Maguindanao are the hardest hit of the Filipino settlement, their political power diminished after long period of fighting and resisting colonialism and Christianization, particularly at the beginning of the 20th Century. The Maguindanao fought alone without foreign support during this period. However, by 1970???s three fourth of their homeland were lost to Filipino settlers, mostly to Ilonggos and Cebuanos that settled in the vast planes of Koronadal valley.

Today, the Maguindanaos live alongside with other residents of Koronadal City. They are found mostly in Barangay Saravia. Recently, they are working as professionals in various government regional offices. The Maguindanaos are the major of Islamic group who found permanent settlement in Koronadal along with the Maranaos of Lanao who are considered to be the peoples of the lake and are famous as traders in Koronadal Public Markets. The Tausug of the Sulu Archipelago and the Iranuns have also found abode in the city of Koronadal. The later roots the language of the Maranao and the Maguindanaoan tongue who claims to be the mother language of these two major cultural communities in Mindanao. The Islamic Cultural Communities in Koronadal are diverse and have adopted the mainstream way of life. They still practice Islam as their religion but live alongside peacefully with the Christian communities in the City.

Contributors :
Mr. Carlo Ebeo - NCCA
Mr. Elric Batilaran - LGU-Koronadal tural resources, and potentials conducive for trade business and industry.