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Tribes of Mindanao, the Bilaan of Southern Mindanao
Text and images by Ronald de Jong
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The Bilaan or B`laan are a tribal community of Southern Mindanao, the
name of this indigenous group comes from the words Bla and An, meaning Opponent People. The B'laans in South Cotabato were renowned
hunters and food gatherers, they hunted wild animals and were reaping grains, root crops, fruits and herbs in the once vast
open space of cogonal land, known as Kolon Datal, nowadays Koronadal City.
The Bilaan live in in Lake Sebu and other municipalities of South Cotabato
and are one of the major non-Islamic tribal groups in the Southern Philippines. They are famous for their rich and colourful
cultural heritage, ethnic art and handcrafts like the brass ornaments and traditional beadwork. Colourful native costumes
woven from abaca and decorated with embroidery, buttons, beads and heavy brass belts with numerous tiny bells are worn by
the women of the Bilaan, making their approach heard, even from a far distance. The sequin-like capiz shells called takmon are used to give a distinct design and colour to their clothes, among the women, the intricately beaded
wooden comb, the swat san salah is a must.
The B’laans have their own system of
weaving using abaca fibre, before weaving the typical patterns, rituals are held in accordance with the Bilaan culture, but
only the weavers know about these rituals and before making any pattern or design divine guidance is first sought. It is believed
that the designs were imparted to the dreamer through the l'nilong (fairies), who
are considered guardians of nature. Their handicraft and traditional attires are being brought to almost every ceremony and
are considered as priceless possessions that are offered as dowries during weddings and used as payment for crimes committed
against a person or clan or for settling disputes among warring clans.
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The Bilaan culture is unique; the tribe practices indigenous rituals
for almost everything that they do because of their belief on the supremacy of the great Creator named Malu or D'wata, who is the source of everything. The Bilaan are strong
believers on the interdependency with the environment and must respect the will of the Creator and are not allowed to touch
or destroy any creature or object without His permission. They believe that there is only one Supreme Being that rules the
cosmos and in the existence of a soul which upon leaving the body causes illness and even death. Bilaan men wear their hair
long and have tattoos on their back, chest legs and arms, some of the main characteristics practised by men and woman of this
tribe is the shaving of the eyebrows and the blackening of their tongues and filed incisors.
Musical instruments, like wooden lutes, flutes and bamboo tubes with
strings are used extensively with their rituals and dances. One of the well-known ritual dances is the Blit B'laan. A courtship dance of the imitating the movements of the male and female birds during mating season.
Among the Bilaan in Southern Mindanao, a hand-woven mat spread on the ground or the floor marks a sacred space. A story told
on a B’laan mat must tell the truth. It is believed that the good spirits will join the communing human beings. Only
when keeping their faith, otherwise it will not work. These mats are also spread out to mediate conflicts by tribal leaders
named Fulong or the tribal elders
A Bilaan community is organized under a local Fulong who has sovereign
authority over an area depending on his own influence. This position is heritable by the firstborn. Close family ties have
always been recognized as one of the core values of Bilaan families and are deeply embedded in their culture, the life of
the Bilaan evolves around their family that usually lives within one compound, consisting of more than one spouse and extended
relatives living together.
The Bilaan of Southern Mindanao are still upholding their traditional
ways of living, their values and their distinctive culture, it is impressive to see how this community can adjust and find
meaning in life in a modern Philippine society.
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