Skip to content
OurVote2022logo
mindanews-fact-check-logo-1
  • Business
  • Peace Process
  • Governance
  • Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Special Reports
  • Mindaviews
  • Pictures
Menu
  • Business
  • Peace Process
  • Governance
  • Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Special Reports
  • Mindaviews
  • Pictures

Moros, Lumads reaffirm kinship in support to GPH-MILF peace talks

  • Press Release

-

  • December 27, 2013
Share this story

COTABATO CITY (MindaNews/27 December)—Traditional leaders of the Teduray and Maguindanao tribes publicly reaffirmed their historical kinship recently here in support to the peace process of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The reaffirmation of their kinship was also meant to strengthen their ranks in backing the Bangsamoro transition, according to a statement from the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) on Thursday.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAMembers of the Teduray and Maguindanao tribes pose for a souvenir photo after they reaffirmed their historical kinship in a ceremony in Cotabato City last week. (MindaNews photo courtesy of MPC)

Based on their distinct tribal narratives, which are handed down through generations, the Teduray and Maguindanao peoples are respectively descended from two blood brothers. The Teduray traces ancestry to Mamalu and the Maguindanao to Tabunaway, according to MPC.

The story goes that the brothers went their chosen life paths with the coming of Islam in Mindanao in the late 1300s through the Arab missionary Shariff Kabunsuan. Exposed to Kabunsuan’s teachings, Tabunaway embraced Islam while Mamalu held on to the indigenous belief system, it added.

“As descendants of Mamalu and Tabunaway, we hope to awaken the kinship relations among us and the other native inhabitants of Mindanao for the sake of unity, peace and solidarity,” Timuay Melanio Ulama, a Teduray leader, said in the statement.

Set against the Bangsamoro transition, the kinship reaffirmation signifies the active support of indigenous peoples within the future territory of the new autonomous entity that will be established as a result of the peace negotiations between the government and the MILF.

The rituals symbolizing the sacred pact of brotherhood were held at the historical landmark Fute Fantad-PutingLupa, Urok Tantawan, which is now known as PC Hill.

The ceremony highlighted the five pillars of kinship which are Kilalaha (Mutual Recognition and Trust), Sayuda (Mutual Sharing of Information),Buliga (Cooperation), Uyaga (Mutual Protection and Preservation of Life), and Pabatunbatuna (Mutual Obligation to Help).

The rites were also witnessed by leaders of other indigenous peoples in Mindanao.

“The Moro people may perish, the indigenous peoples may pass away, but our brotherhood will never end,” said Datu Vic Saway, a Talaandig leader and an MPC member.

“We are in full support of the descendants of Mamalu and Tabunaway in their quest for peace and unity,” Col. Dickson Hermoso, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, was quoted as saying in the statement.

He added that the Armed Forces of the Philippines also “vigorously support the peace process between the GPH and the MILF.

Based on indigenous belief, those who break the sacred pact or fail to honor it are cursed.

Datu Uko Matura Sultan, a traditional Maguindanao leader, said: “It is better to have many adversaries than to be cursed, because if you are cursed, then you do not know what will happen to you.”

The first reaffirmation of kinship was done at the Talaandig Ancestral Domain in Sungko, Lantapan, Bukidnon on March 7-8, 2012, and the second at Lorega, Kitaotao, Bukidnon on November 24, 2013.

The organizers of the ceremony hope to undertake the same activity in other provinces of Mindanao to strengthen kinship among the native inhabitants. (MindaNews)

Your perspective matters! Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage respectful discussions. Don't hesitate to share your ideas or engage with others.
Advertisement
Rakrakan
Follow us on Facebook
Facebook
The MindaNews Podcast
-- ad here--

TOP STORIES

DENR, CDO LGU draw flak for plan to demolish iconic Ysalina Bridge

Froilan Gallardo September 26, 2023 6:41 pm

FACT CHECK:  General Santos City is not part of Sarangani as TV5 game show says

Fact Check September 26, 2023 4:27 pm

FACT CHECK: Sara Duterte did not blame rallies for 2-M slump in enrollment

Fact Check September 25, 2023 5:48 pm

Dead man found floating in Davao shoreline

Antonio L. Colina IV September 25, 2023 5:45 pm

SPECIAL REPORT: In Lebak, community-managed mangrove forest provides food and livelihood for residents 

Bong S. Sarmiento September 24, 2023 8:06 pm

MINDAVIEWS

TURNING POINT: The Toothless Price Cap

William R. Adan September 19, 2023 10:39 am

UNDERSTANDING OUR HERITAGE (2): The Hindu-Buddist influences in our culture

Greg Hontiveros September 17, 2023 4:21 pm

TAUSUG IN DOHA: Always opt for the Best

Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano September 17, 2023 2:52 pm
Read more MINDAVIEWS

BUSINESS NEWS

18 homegrown cafés joining Davao Coffee Crawl

Antonio L. Colina IV September 20, 2023 3:12 pm

25 delegates from Mindanao to join international expo in Sabah

Antonio L. Colina IV September 13, 2023 2:00 pm

Senator Villar cites EU’s GSP+ during tuna congress

Bong S. Sarmiento September 7, 2023 5:21 pm

Davao Region’s inflation rate lowest in Mindanao

Antonio L. Colina IV September 5, 2023 9:53 pm

Japanese firm looking for more suppliers of coconut-based food products

Mindanews August 31, 2023 2:35 pm

95 exhibitors to join Davao Agri Trade Expo

Antonio L. Colina IV August 23, 2023 5:48 pm

ARTS & CULTURE

Sarangani writers showcase literary works in Philippine Book Festival

Genory Vanz Alfasain August 27, 2023 4:11 pm

INTERACTIVE MAP | Cagayan de Oro Higalaay Festival 2023

Yas D. Ocampo August 25, 2023 2:00 pm

Davao City Events | Palawud x Holodeck, Budots: The Craze

Mindanews August 19, 2023 10:10 am

Kadayawan Festival 2023 event guide

Yas D. Ocampo August 7, 2023 4:01 pm

The MindaNews Podcast: Aubrey DS and the creative pursuits that drive us

Mindanews July 10, 2023 7:06 pm
eric gancio of yano

The MindaNews Podcast: Davao-based Eric Gancio and the return of Yano

Yas D. Ocampo June 2, 2023 5:15 pm

MindaNews is the news service arm of the Mindanao Institute of Journalism. It is composed of independent, professional journalists who believe and practice people empowerment through media.

23C Saturn St. GSIS Subdivision, Davao City Philippines Tel. No.: 082 297 4360 editor [at] mindanews.com
Facebook Twitter

© MindaNews 2016 -2023 | All Rights Reserved

About Us

Privacy Policy