What gives identity to a people? Is it the length of time they occupied a certain place on earth? Is it the intensity of their fight for self-determination? Many of these have been discussed in the process of defining the Bangsamoro. This is especially difficult in the Philippines where more than a hundred cultural groups exist with seventy different dialects. In the book “The People and Art of the Philippines” published by the University of California, the authors stated that “today’s visitor is likely to be unaware of the rich cultural traditions that have been generated there.” In a country with a diversity of cultures strongly influenced by outside influence (Chinese, Spanish, American, Arabic), a uniquely Filipino character is difficult to ascertain. However, in this part of the Philippines where culture and arts have been preserved due to resistance to the Spanish and American colonial invasion, a truly unique character of the early Filipinos cam still be established.

According to anthropologist Eric Casino, “The arts and crafts of the Southern Philippines are among the most distinctive in the archipelago… but to fully appreciate the uniqueness of its art traditions, we need to know something about the region’s geography, ethnography and history.” This is where education becomes a crucial factor. It is through education that this can possibly be perpetuated for posterity. Media also has an important role to play in imparting this knowledge to more people. It brings to mind the regulation passed by Congress where radio stations were forced to play local songs. This was at the height of the “Westernization of the Philippine entertainment industry” when only foreign songs were sang and appreciated by the general public. This move encouraged the local industry to come up with more truly Filipino songs (not Tagalized versions of American songs) which the audience later appreciated.

Local native culture is expressed mainly on the crafts produced, the local building architecture, some costumes and dances, but only a few in terms of songs which are heard during certain festivities. The general impression is that very few of these have been documented. The Tausug folk song “Baleleng” was introduced a few years back and the response of people was tremendous. Many (including this writer) sang the song to put babies to sleep. Even people from the north identified with the song, but very few knew that it came from this part of the Philippines, and have been sung since time immemorial. Another courtship practice among the Maguindanaons that used to be a crowd drawer was the singing of the “Dayunday”.

In its search for identity, the Bangsamoro government should also look in this direction. Culture, arts, and history may be the least concern considering the widespread poverty that it has to grapple with. However, together with the “heavier” and more important concerns, the “fine arts” should also be focused on, lest these be lost in the memory of the next generation. 

Eva Kimpo-Tan is the editor-in-chief of The Mindanao Cross, the oldest Catholic weekly in the southern Philippines.