To mark the end the Ramadan, the Anak Mindanao party-list (AMIN) is presenting an exhibit on the ethnic culture of Mindanao at the atrium of the SM Aura in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Dubbed “Muslim in the Philippines: History and Culture,” the exhibit will be inaugurated by AMIN party-list Representative and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao First Lady Sittie Djalia A. Turabin-Hataman on June 26.
According to Rep. Turabin-Hataman, the exhibit is a traveling show co-sponsored by SM Malls. Its first stop was at SM North Edsa in Quezon City, where it attracted hundreds of shoppers who checked out the ethnic fashions being modeled by a group of young cultural dancers.
Mall goers also had the chance to enjoy the traditional tribal music performed with indigenous instruments.
The exhibit was designed by curator Marian Pastor Reyes of TAO Inc.
As with the first show at SM North Edsa, the exhibit at SM Aura will display several artifacts from the various tribes that inhabit Mindanao, from the Yakan to the Maranao.
Throughout the booths, cultural dancers will be garbed in traditional Muslim attire as a musician performs ethnic music using the indigenous instrument from Maguindanao, the kulintang.
Rep. Turabin-Hataman, the wife of ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman, hails from Basilan and has been championing Mindanao’s tribal culture.
The lawmaker said she also wanted to present Mindanao’s colorful heritage to the Filipino people, hence this traveling exhibit.
“With this show, we hope the Filipinos of Luzon will learn more and understand the Mindanao culture, which has been thriving in the Philippines for over a thousand years now,” she said.
“That is why we included a timeline that follows the history of Mindanao, particularly the member provinces of the ARMM, which covers Basilan, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi,” the solon added.
Highlights of the show include century-old artifacts such as weapons, musical instruments, and decorative items from the Maranao, Maguindanao, the Tausug and Yakan, among others. Most of the items are from the personal collection of Rep. Turabin-Hataman.
After the exhibit at SM Aura, “Muslim in the Philippines: History and Culture” will move on to other major SM malls in Metro Manila and in other SM malls located in the major cities of Luzon.