LeonorColangelo at 00:23, 22 March 2026

2026-03-22T00:23:20Z

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{{Short description|Austronesian ethnic group of the southern Philippines}}
{{Distinguish|Maranhão}}
{{about|Maranao people|the language itself|Maranao language|the ethnic group of Borneo|Melanau people|the Bornean language|Melanau language}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Maranao people
| image = Maranao performing Singkil.jpg
| image_caption = A group of the Maranao people performing the Singkil dance
| native_name = {{lang|mrw|Bangsa Mëranaw}} 
{{Script/Arabic|ماراناو}}
| native_name_lang = mrw
| total = '''1,800,130'''
| total_year = 2020 census
| total_source = Census
| total_ref = <ref name="census">{{cite web|url=https://psa.gov.ph/content/ethnicity-philippines-2020-census-population-and-housing|title=Ethnicity in the Philippines (2020 Census of Population and Housing)|publisher=Philippine Statistics Authority|access-date=July 4, 2023}}</ref>
| regions = {{flagcountry|PHI}} 
{{smaller|([[Bangsamoro]], [[Soccsksargen]], [[Zamboanga Peninsula]], [[Northern Mindanao]], [[Metro Manila|Manila]], [[Metro Cebu|Cebu]])}}
| region1 = [[Lanao del Sur]]
| pop1 = 1,114,765
| ref1 = <ref name="census" />
| region2 = [[Lanao del Norte]]
| pop2 = 325,804
| ref2 = <ref name="census" />
| region3 = [[Metro Manila]]
| pop3 = 81,523
| ref3 = <ref name="census" />
| region4 = [[Iligan City]]
| pop4 = 39,980
| ref4 = <ref name="census" />
| region5 = [[Davao City]]
| pop5 = 18,545
| ref5 = <ref name="census" />
| region6 = [[General Santos City]]
| pop6 = 10,065
| ref6 = <ref name="census" />
| languages = '''Native''' [[Maranao language|Maranao]] '''Also''' [[Filipino language|Filipino]]{{•}}[[Cebuano language|Cebuano]]{{•}}[[Philippine English|English]]
| rels = [[Sunni Islam]]
| related = [[Iranun people|Iranun]], [[Maguindanao people|Maguindanaon]], [[Tiruray people|Tiruray]] [[Lumad]], [[Tausūg people|Tausūg]], [[Visayans|Visayan]], other Moros, other [[Filipinos]], other [[Austronesian people]]s
}}

The '''Maranao people''' ({{Langx|mrw|Bangsa Mëranaw}}, [[Jawi script|Jawi]]: {{Script/Arabic|ماراناو}}; {{Langx|fil|mga Maranaw}}<ref>[http://www.kwf.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/Ortograpiyang-Pambansa1.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012055004/http://www.kwf.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/Ortograpiyang-Pambansa1.pdf|date=October 12, 2013}}</ref>), also spelled '''Meranaw''', '''Maranaw''', and '''Mëranaw''', is a predominantly [[Muslim Filipino]] and [[Austronesian peoples|Austronesian]] ethnic group native to the region around [[Lanao Lake]] in the island of [[Mindanao]]. They are known for their artwork, weaving, wood, plastic and metal crafts and epic literature, the [[Darangen]]. They are ethnically and culturally closely related to the [[Iranun people]] and [[Maguindanao people]], all three groups being denoted speaking [[Danao languages]] and giving name to the island of [[Mindanao]]. They are grouped with other [[Moro people]] due to their shared religion.

==Etymology==
{{See also|Iranun people|Maguindanao people}}

The name "Maranao" (also spelled "Mëranaw", or "Maranaw") means "people of the lake" (''lanaw'' or ''ranaw'', [[Archaism|archaic]] ''danaw'', means "lake" in the [[Maranao language]]). This is in reference to [[Lake Lanao]], the predominant geographic feature of the ancestral homeland of the Maranao people.<ref name="Hamilton">{{cite book |last1=Hamilton |first1=Roy W. |title=From the rainbow's varied hue: textiles of the southern Philippines |date=1998 |publisher=UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History |isbn=9780930741648 |page=135}}</ref>

The original [[endonym]] of the ancestral Maranao is believed to be "Iranaoan".<ref name="Lobel" /><ref name="Baradas" /> This group later diverged, resulting in the modern [[Maguindanao people|Maguindanaon]] and the [[Iranun people]] (whose names can also be translated to "people of the lake"),<ref name="Campbell">{{cite book |last1=Campbell |first1=Gwyn |title=Bondage and the Environment in the Indian Ocean World |date=2018 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9783319700281 |page=84}}</ref> while the ancestral Iranaoan who stayed in Lake Lanao became known as the Maranao. These three ethnic groups are still related to each other, share similar cultures and speak languages belonging to the [[Danao languages|Danao language family]].<ref name="Lobel">{{cite journal |last1=Lobel |first1=Jason William |last2=Riwarung |first2=Labi Hadji Sarip |title=Maranao Revisited: An Overlooked Consonant Contrast and its Implications for Lexicography and Grammar |journal=Oceanic Linguistics |date=2009 |volume=48 |issue=2 |pages=403–438 |jstor=40783537 |doi=10.1353/ol.0.0040 |s2cid=145549504 }}</ref><ref name="Baradas">{{cite journal |last1=Baradas |first1=David B. |title=Some Implications of the Okir Motif in Lanao and Sulu Art |journal=Asian Studies |date=1968 |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=129–168 |s2cid=27892222 |url=https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a0c6/f00b5177734d5e7c759472881541b0c37b52.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129181535/https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a0c6/f00b5177734d5e7c759472881541b0c37b52.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 29, 2019 }}</ref>


==Confederate States of Lanao==
{{Main|Confederate States of Lanao|Sultanate of Maguindanao|Iranun people}}
[[File:ConfederateStatesOfLanao1616.png|thumb|220x220px|Map of the Confederate States of Lanao (1616-1904), with the State of Unayan colored in yellow, the State of Masiu in red, the State of Bayabao in pink, and the State of Baloi in blue.]]

The Maranao were the last of the Muslims of the Southern Philippines undergoing [[Islamization]], primarily under the influence of the Arab-Malay missionaries like [[Sharif Kabungsuwan]] and other from [[Borneo]].

Like neighboring [[Moro people|Moros]] and the [[Lumad]]s, during the nominal occupation of the Philippines by the Spanish, and later the American and the Japanese, the Maranao had tribal leaders called ''datu''. In the 16th century, upon the arrival of [[Islam]], they developed into kingdoms with [[sultan]]s due to the influence of Muslim missionaries.

==Culture==
[[File:Lake Lanao zoom.jpg|thumb|The shores of Lake Lanao is the center of Maranao society.]]

Maranao culture can be characterized by:
* [[Lake Lanao]]
* [[Sarimanok]] (''Papanoka a Məra'' or ''[[Dove (bird)|Marapatik]]'')
* [[Torogan]], Maranao royal houses, where the architecture used is the most aesthetic in the Philippines
* Darangən, an epic [[UNESCO]] [[Intangible cultural heritage]]
* Kirim, pre-Hispanic handwriting based from [[Arabic]] letters with 19 consonants and 7 vowels
* [[Singkil]], a Philippine dance based on a scene from the ''Darangən''<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzhoWsVElXo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6JVSMSIYn4</ref>
* [[Okir]] wood and metal carvings
* Kapmorod and Kakhalilang with [[Flag|Sambolayang and Pasandalan a Morog]] and Marigay for Kazipa sa Manggis
* Kaplagod (racing horses)
* Tabo, a drum used in mosques to call worshippers to prayer<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nationalmuseumbeta/Collections/Ethno/Drum.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628163314/https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nationalmuseumbeta/Collections/Ethno/Drum.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Maranao culture is centered around Lake Lanao, the largest [[lake]] in Mindanao, and second-largest and deepest lake in the Philippines. Lanao is the subject of various myths and legends. It supports a major fishery, and powers the [[Lake Lanao|hydroelectric plant]] installed on it; the Agus River system generates 70% of the electricity used by the people of Mindanao. A commanding view of the lake is offered by Marawi City, the provincial capital.

===Visual arts===
{{Main|Okir|Tugaya}}

<gallery>
File:Mindanao Bangsamoro Islamic Art - 24556180573.jpg|alt=|Woodcarving of the [[Sarimanok]] with ''okir'' motifs
File:Food jar (gadur), Mindanao, Maranao, brass with silver inlay, Honolulu Academy of Arts.JPG|alt=|''Gadur'' jar with silver inlay
</gallery>[[Sarimanok]], [[Peacock|Papanok a '''"'''Məra'''"''']] or ''[[Dove (bird)|"Marapatik"]]'' is a legendary bird of the Maranao that is a ubiquitous symbol of their art. It is depicted as a [[Green peafowl|Hoodhud]] (Arabic) with colorful wings and feathered tail, holding a fish on its beak or talons. The head of Sarimanok is like the head of a [[Hoopoe]] (Balalatoc in maranaw) and is profusely decorated with scroll, leaf and spiral motifs (''[[okir]]''). It is a symbol of good fortune.<ref name="art">{{cite web| url=http://www.ph.net/htdocs/education/sarimanok.htm| title=Sari-Manok| publisher=Philippines Art and Culture| access-date=October 21, 2010}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="art1">{{cite web| author=Madale, Nagasura T.| date=February 7, 2010| url=http://aratawata.ning.com/profiles/blogs/recipe-in-the-life-of-the-1| title=Recipe in the Life of the Maranao By: Nagasura T. Madale, PhD. -Part 2| work=Kalopindo| publisher=Aratawata Website| access-date=October 22, 2010| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714183618/http://aratawata.ning.com/profiles/blogs/recipe-in-the-life-of-the-1| archive-date=July 14, 2011}}</ref>

The Maranao have also developed their own adaptation of the ''[[Ramayana]]'' epic, the ''[[Maharadia Lawana]]''. They also have a traditional dance, the [[Singkil]], which was based on another local Ramayana adaptation, the ''Darangən''.

====Architecture====
Traditional Maranao architecture, like elsewhere in the [[Philippines]] and at large [[maritime Southeast Asia]], follows the Austronesian framework of wooden structures on piles, divided in three tiers pertaining to social class: ''[[torogan]]'' of royalty, ''mala a walay'' of lesser nobility, and the common ''lawig'' analogous to the ''bahay kubo''.

===Music and performing arts===
{{Main|Kulintang}}
[[File:National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka - Kolintang - Maranao people in Philippines - Collected in 2002.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Kulintang]] ensemble at the [[National Museum of Ethnology (Japan)|National Museum of Ethnology]] in [[Suita, Osaka|Osaka]].]]

Maranao [[kulintang]] music is a type of a [[gong]] music. [[Kulintang a putao|Sarunaay]] is also found among both Muslim and non-Muslim groups of the Southern Philippines. [[Kubing|Kobbing]] is a Maranao instrument and [[Flute|Biyula]] is another popular Instrument. Biyula is a string instrument. In 2005, the Darangen Epic of the Maranao people of Lake Lanao was selected by [[UNESCO]] as a [[Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity|Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity]].

===Cuisine===
Maranao cuisine is spicier compared to most regions elsewhere in the Philippines, a trait largely shared with much of Mindanao. Traditionally cultivated spices, locally known as ''[[palapa (condiment)|palapa]]'' (Bontang, native product of Gandamatu) are a common [[condiment]].<ref>{{cite web| author=Umagang Kay Ganda| date=July 9, 2013| url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/lifestyle/07/09/13/recipe-maranao-dish-chicken-piaparan| title=Recipe: Maranao dish Chicken Piaparan| publisher=[[ABS-CBN Corporation]] Website |access-date=July 9, 2013}}</ref> It is made of stewed ''[[sakurab]]'' scallion bulbs, [[ginger]], and [[Chili pepper|chillies]] in [[coconut oil]].<ref name="cuisine">{{cite web| author=Rosauro, Ryan| date=October 17, 2010| url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20101017-298140/Munai-spice-may-be-way-out-of-war-for-conflict-areas| title=Munai spice may be way out of war for conflict areas| publisher=Inquirer Website| access-date=October 22, 2010| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023065111/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20101017-298140/Munai-spice-may-be-way-out-of-war-for-conflict-areas| archive-date=October 23, 2010}}</ref>

Dishes are intertwined with important cultural rituals across all aspects of Maranao culture: from birth to death.<ref name="cuisine1">{{cite web| author=Madale, Nagasura T.| date=February 6, 2010| url=http://aratawata.ning.com/profiles/blogs/recipe-in-the-life-of-the| title=Recipe in the Life of the Maranao By: Nagasura T. Madale, PhD. -Part 1| work=Kalopindo| publisher=Aratawata Website| access-date=October 21, 2010| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714183706/http://aratawata.ning.com/profiles/blogs/recipe-in-the-life-of-the| archive-date=July 14, 2011}}</ref>

===Social structure===
Traditionally, Maranao society is divided into two strata. Namely, ''mapiyatao'' (pure) and ''kasilidan'' (mixed blood). ''kasilidan'' is further subdivided into categories which are as follows; ''sarowang'' (non-Maranao), ''balbal'' (beast), ''dagamot'' (Sorcerer/Sorceress) and ''bisaya'' (Slave). The ''mapiyatao'' are natives entitled to ascend to thrones by pure royal bloodline. On the other hand, the ''kasilidan'' are natives suspected of mixed bloodline. However, due to the changes brought by time, these social strata are beginning to decline due to the improving economic conditions of most Maranao families.

===Economy===
The Maranao historically engaged in fishing and farming, cultivating crops such as [[Paddy field|wet rice]], corn, and sweet potatoes. Local crafts such as textiles and woodcarvings are popular and sold throughout the country.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gowing |first=Peter G. |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Muslim_Filipinos.html?id=It9DAbGBYZUC&hl=en |title=Muslim Filipinos: Heritage and Horizon |date=1979 |publisher=New Day Publishers |isbn=978-971-10-0239-8 |page=8}}</ref>

==Demographics==
[[File:Peoples of the Philippines en.svg|thumb|200px|The Maranao people are shown in chocolate brown in this map.]]

Maranaos number 1,800,000 in 2020, representing 1.65% of the population.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/PHIILIPPINES_FINAL%20PDF.pdf|title=2010 Census of Population and Housing, Report No. 2A: Demographic and Housing Characteristics (Non-Sample Variables) - Philippines|publisher=Philippine Statistics Authority|access-date=May 19, 2020}}</ref> Along with the Iranun and Maguindanao, the Maranao are one of three, related, indigenous groups native to Mindanao. These groups share genes, linguistic and cultural ties to non-Muslim Lumad groups such as the [[Tiruray people|Tiruray]] or [[Subanon people|Subanon]]. Maranao royals have varied infusions of Arab, Indian, Malay, and Chinese ancestry

==Language==
{{Main|Maranao language}}

[[Maranao language|Maranao]] is an [[Austronesian languages|Austronesian language]] spoken by the Maranao people in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.<ref name="language1">{{cite web |title=Welcome |url=http://maranao.info/phonemes.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006200720/http://maranao.info/phonemes.html |archive-date=October 6, 2010 |access-date=October 21, 2010 |publisher=Learn Maranao Language Website }}</ref> Because of the mass influx of [[Cebuano people|Cebuano]] migrants to Mindanao, many Maranaos are also fluent in Cebuano. Tagalog is also spoken by the Maranaos, which ranks second among its native language, along with English, and Arabic due to its importance to [[Islam]] and Maranao culture.

==Notable Maranaos==
* [[Abdullah Maute]], a jihadist and co-founder of the [[Maute group]] and a brother of [[Omar Maute]].
* [[Omar Maute]], a jihadist and co-founder of the Maute group and a brother of [[Abdullah Maute]].
* [[Saidamen Pangarungan]], a lawyer, businessman, and former chairman of [[COMELEC]] and [[National Commission on Muslim Filipinos]].
* [[Japar Dimaampao]] is a present Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
* [[Mamintal A.J. Tamano]] was a Filipino statesman and a former Senator of the Philippines.
* [[Adel Tamano]] is a Filipino educator, lawyer and former politician.
* [[Domocao Alonto]] is a former Filipino politician and senator of the Philippines. In 1988, he was awarded the prestigious King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam.
* [[Mamintal M. Adiong Sr.]] was a long-time Filipino politician, serving as [[Governor of Lanao del Sur]] from 2001 until his death in 2004.
* [[Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr.]] is the present governor of the Province of Lanao del Sur.
* [[Abul Khayr Alonto]] is a Filipino businessman and lawyer and a former Moro freedom fighter. He once became the chairman of the [[Moro National Liberation Front]].
* [[Dimasangcay Pundato]] is a former Moro revolutionary leader and current undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. He served as the Secretary of the now defunct Office on Muslim affairs (NCMF) for 2 straight administrations.
* [[Samira Gutoc-Tomawis]] is a Filipino civic leader, journalist, environment and women's rights advocate, and legislator[1] who has served as member of the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission which was tasked to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

==See also==
* [[Maranao language]]
* [[Iranun people]]
* [[Lanao del Sur]]
* [[Lake Lanao]]
* [[Confederate States of Lanao]]
* [[Sultanate of Maguindanao]]
* [[Ethnic groups in the Philippines]]
* [[Moro people]]s
** [[Iranun people]]
** [[Maguindanao people]]
* [[Lumad]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070519130534/http://litera1no4.tripod.com/maranaw_frame.html Maranao]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110129071314/http://ranaw.com/content/view/1/36/ Ranao], Ranao (Lake) terms for Lanao del Sur

{{MoroPeoplesmall}}
{{Ethnic groups in the Philippines}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ethnic groups in Mindanao]]
[[Category:Islam in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Muslim ethnic groups of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Moro ethnic groups]]

Maranao people - Revision history

LeonorColangelo at 00:23, 22 March 2026