Fluttering their arms and strutting to native percussions, men and women in brass-buttoned shirts, loose trousers, sashes, overskirts and headgear, formed colorful formations in the streets. Then men jumped with spears and shields to show off their machismo while the women swayed with their patterned malong and baskets.
One of the 13 Muslim groups in the Sulu Archipelago, the Yakans have proud moment in the annual Tumahik Festival in Basilan held from March 1 to 7 in Isabela City. The Yakans are settlers of Basilan, who are distinguished by their proud bearing and colorful hand-woven attire.
Tumahik is a Yakan war dance that shows off the performers’ virtuosity. The festival features parades; dance and native costume contests participated by the barangay; a Yakan oratorical and poetry competition that highlights the tribe’s oral tradition.
Says ARMM Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman, “The Tumahik festival showcases the rich culture of the Yakans.”
The festival brings to fore the Yakan costumes and its growing fabric industry. This tribe is being recognized as one of the best weavers in the country. Their fabrics are used by exporters to make fashion and home accessories and exhibited in international trade fairs.
These fabrics come from pineapple and abaca fibers that are colored by herbal dyes. The Yakans maintain centuries-old tradition of hand loom, which is handed down from generation to generation. Each work is a labor of patience and love. This is why it takes five days to produce only one meter. The results are stunning, nonetheless. No Yakan fabric design is duplicated, as there will be variations in lines and colors. Each design is culled from the weaver’s memory or mood.
The most intricate design, the Seputangan or head cloth, is characterized by rhomboids with flowers and geometric shapes. These patterns symbolize good fortune and abundance. The Palipattang derives its patterns from rainbow colors while the Bunga-sama takes after the python skin. The kenna-kenna is patterned after a fish; the dawen-dawen takes after the leaf of a vine; pene mata-mata, is inspired by the series of eyes while the kabang buddi is the diamond-shaped design.
Tumahik Festival is organized by the Basilan provincial government and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Anak-Mindanao Representative Princess Sitti Djalia T. Hataman, explains, “Fabric has an extensive importance in the our society. Native textiles are a symbol of cultural identity, family tradition, sense of community, honest work and livelihood. Traditionally, we saw the indigenous fabrics as practical or sacred as they are either worn as daily garments or used in rituals. In keeping with the times, our indigenous fabrics have been integrated into art, modern fashion and home décor. Although the tribes still adhere to tradition, their uses will keep evolving.”
The solon adds that while Yakan fabric is one of the great prides of Basilan, the provinces also offers other attractions.
Basilan maintains its rural charm. The beaches along Malamawi island is famous for its fine, white sands and fresh coconut drinks directly plucked from the coconut plantations. Lampinigan, is an hour’s drive from Isabela. The rocky coastline opens out to a resplendent ocean view.
There are other must-see places in Basilan that show its multi-ethnicity. The Kaum Purnah Mosque in Isabela City is a museum of the cultures of the different indigenous and Muslim groups. For Christians, the Cathedral of Saint Elizabeth of Portugal and the Chapel of Peace on Calvario Peak are sanctuaries for the soul. Near the city center, the Cabunbata Falls is a quick escape, surrounded by a jungle of rubber trees. Pusuac Spring Park offers exotic flora and fauna. The other famous beaches include Tenusa Island, Calugusan and Palm Beaches in Lamitan, and Sumagdang Beach in Isabela City.
In cuisine, the Yakans are known for their dulang, molded sticky rice, piscy native chicken, fried fish and vegetables served on a banana leaf. The chicken or kaliya is prayed over before slaughterning then cooked with spices, herbs and powdered rice. The sweet, jah panyam pitis is a chunk of sticky purple rice, coconut milk and raw sugar.
Hataman hopes that the Tumahik Festival, the tribal arts and crafts and tourist attractions will change the perception of an embattled Basilan.