LANAO DEL SUR TRAVEL INFORMATION
Where to Stay in Lanao Del Sur | Brief History | Lanao Del Sur Descriptions
Cultural Attractions | Natural, Religious and Man-Made Attractions
Feasts and Festivals
BRIEF HISTORY
Life in Lanao del Sur centers on Lake Lanao, the second largest and deepest in the  Philippines, at 2,300 feet above sea level. The Maranaos, the “people of the lake,” settled around the edge of Lake Lanao and along the banks of the small rivers that lead to Marawi City.
The lake comes alive especially on market days. Motorized boats ply the lake, providing transport and communication between lake communities. Excellent soil plus the varying altitudes help account for the people’s usual staples and dome rarities, one of them being the durian, a heavily aromatic but heavenly tasting fruit.
The Maranao tribe is among the most artistic. Their numerous ceremonial artifacts and everyday tools are trimmed with the sensuous "okir" (carving) and colorful "nagas" (serpent figures). Their long, low, and sleek boats sport a rainbow of brilliant colors matched only by the exuberance of the malong, the Maranao native wear for women.
Violet, purple, green, red, yellow, floral, and geometric – this is the malong. About 12 meters long, it is made of highly decorated cloth and joined lengthwise to create a tube or cylinder and worn as a shirt or a dress. Occasionally, they are pulled all the way up to cover the head either as protection against the sun or cold, as a gesture of modesty when used to cover the face, or a blanket when asleep. The malong is a most popular item among tourists and souvenir hunters. A flurry of bargaining usually precedes each purchase of malongs from the natives.
The women are resplendent in their finery, as if to make up for the drabness of the men's wear. However, the men gain stature by wearing certain headgear, such as white caps signifying their having made a trip to Mecca. The trip is almost a religious obligation to be fulfilled by all Muslim men.
Their relative isolation rendered the Maranaos less susceptible to advances, thus, they cling stronger to traditional ways than do their Tausug or Maguindanao brothers. Fiercely independent, the Maranaos surrendered last to the Americans and then to the Japanese.
The Maranaos were the last ethnic group in Mindanao to be Islamized but turned out to be the strongest of adherents. Marawi City, the provincial capital, is the only chartered city in the country with a predominantly Muslim population.
LANAO DEL SUR DESCRIPTIONS
Lanao del Sur is the land of the Maranaos, “people of the lake,” among the most devout of Muslim tribes as well as the most artistic. Nowhere is this more evident than in the the people’s most natural way of life and the land’s most attractive sites.
The unique natural setting of the Maranaos is perhaps best manifested in Marawi Cty, by the presence of the many large torogans, the Maranao houses, which are characterized by an antique royal high roof with curved designs. The city’s Aga Khan Museum, located within Mindanao State University, is a repository of Maranao and other Moro artifacts. It boasts a huge collection of indigenous art and cultural materials, ethnic music, the native tools and weapons used by the Muslims, and Muslim houses of different artistic designs. Founded in 1962, the university draws the most crowds to the city.
Geography
Lanao del Sur forms the western portion of Northern Mindanao. It is bounded on the north by Lanao del Norte, on the east by Bukidnon, on the west by Illana Bay, and on the south by Maguindanao and Cotabato. Rolling hills and valleys, a placid lake and river dominate the landscape.
Climate
The province has a cool and pleasant climate that falls dominantly under type F, which is distinguished by an even distribution of rainfall throughout the year. The Philippine summer is not quite distinct here. The wettest month is February and the dryest month is June. Lanao del Sur is outside of the typhoon belt
Language / Dialect
The Maranao dialect is the most commonly spoken. Also spoken are Tagalog and Visaya as well as English and Arabic.
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CULTURAL TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Aga Khan Museum
This repository of Maranao and other Moro artifacts boasts a huge collection of indigenous art and cultural materials, ethnic music, the native tools and weapons used by the Muslims, and houses of different artistic designs. It was named so in honor of King Aga Khan who contributed significantly to the realization of the museum. It is located within Mindanao State University, Marawi City.
Moncado Colony
It was named in honor of Hilario Camino Moncado, a native Filipino, a leader, an organizer, an author of books, and a lecturer on the humanities. He graduated with honors at the age of nine from the India College of Mystery and Psychics. Moncado monuments as well as monuments of wild animals can be found on the site. It is located in Moncado, Cadingilan.
Torogans & Sambitory Old Building
The unique natural setting of the Maranaos in Marawi City is best manifested by the presence of the many large torogans, the Maranao houses, characterized by an antique royal high roof with curved designs. The torogans are found in Amito, Dayawan, Marawi City, Sambitory Building, Barrio Naga, Marawi City.
Mindanao State University (MSU)
Marawi City draws the most number of visitors within Lanao del Sur due in most part to MSU. Founded in 1962, it serves as an educational institute and a center of social and cultural integration.
Dasalan Handicraft Building
It houses Maranao art-in-execution. Expert carvers and weavers offer live demonstrations here, displaying their impressive craft and skills.
Tugaya Town
It has a near-exclusive reputation for producing brassware, being the only community in the province that produces excellent brassware. Practically every family has a bellows in the area where the metals are smelted. Using the cire perdule or lost wax technique, cannons and gongs, betelnut boxes and King Faisal Center of Arabic Studies It is located in Marawi City.
Mahaad of Arabi
It is located in Marawi City.
Jainiatul Philippine Al Islamic
It is located in Marawi City.
Dansalan College
It is located in Marawi City.
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NATURAL, RELIGIOUS AND MAN-MADE TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Natural Attractions
Rolling Hills and Mountains
A number of scenic rolling hills and mountains can be found in Marawi City. Signal Hill, Arumpac Hill, and Mt. Mupo are considered beautiful but mysterious. The Angoyao Hills, Signal and Arumpac, served as natural watch towers towards Lake Lanao. Mt. Mupo is known for its untouched trees and beautiful perfect cone.
Lake Lanao
Lake Lanao is the second largest and deepest in the Philippines, at 2,300 feet above sea level. Marawi City, the provincial capital, lies in a rolling terrain commanding a majestic view of the fascinating Lake Lanao.
Bagang Beach
The beach is filled with rocks and boulders that serve as benches, and trees in the lakeside that provide shade. It is ideal for picnics, and its clear water makes it a good place for boating and swimming. Bagang Beach is located in Caloocan, Marawi City, two meters away from the commercial site of the city.
Agus River
Agus River is said to be the swiftest runnig in the country. Its famous cataract is the Maria Cristina Falls, an outlet of Lake Lanao to Illana Bay. It is located in between Saduc and Lilod, Marawi City.
Religious Attractions
Sacred Mountain
It is a 150-meter high mountain with a pond at its summit. Visitors are not allowed to climb the slopes in reverence to the mountain.
Man-Made Attractions
Kilometer Zero Point Marker
It is an important landmark in Lanao del Sur, from which all distances in Mindanao are measured. This is similar to the measures of distances in Manila, which begin at the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park.
Golf Course
There is a 9-hole golf course laid out on the gentle greenery of Mindanao State University, Marawi City. Aside from golf, it is a good place to relax, breathe the clean country air, and bathe under the gentle sun.
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FEASTS AND FESTIVALS
Maulid en Nabi
The entire Muslim world celebrates this feast, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). It is a movable feast that the Sultan or Datu is obliged to throw for his people. Some of the Maranaos do their celebrating ahead and then rest on the day itself.
Ramadan
All Muslims eagerly look forward to the twelfth month of the year for the month-long Ramadan. In Lanao del Sur, it is so special that the Muslim folk willingly spend what they have earned during the other eleven months in just this one. They go about looking not only for the best food in town but the best kitchen utensils. They put away the old things and bring out the new ones during the month. On the very first night, which some call Pegang, special foods are served joyfully in new, beautiful wares. The Muslims believe that giving and praying during this month will be rewarded a thousand times, than the other months.
Eidel Fitri
Celebrated every 29th or 30th of the month of the Ramadan, it falls on the breaking of the fast and serves as a farewell feast for the miracles and blessings during the Holy Month. A thanksgiving prayer for all the blessings is given.
Eidil Adha
Celebrated two and a half months after the Eidil Fitri, it is in commemoration of the Islam Revolution. It signifies the progressive realization of Islamic principles and teachings among believers.
Ashura
Falling on the tenth day of the Muharram, it is celebrated by the Maranaos by serving a feast that puts emphasis on vegetables. Fern is a compulsory vegetable in the feast. It is served in memory of the time when the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), having encountered the difficulties of the war, only had ferns to fill his people’s hunger.
Kanduli
It is the occasion of bestowing money and lavish food to celebrate a landmark achievement, such as the crowning of a Sultan, Datu or Bai, the naming of a child, a wedding, or even when one’s wish has been granted.
Kapemorod
It is a feast celebrated by the Datus, Sultan, and Bais, held during the Mauled en Nabi, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Morod a Datu
The festivities start a week before the crowning of a Sultan, Bae or Datu. Everyone is invited, and food is served in abundance.
Morod a Bae
After the coronation of the Sultan, the women or Bae of the place is given a feast in honor of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Murod a Miskin
It is a feast given to the poor of the community. Food is prepared and everyone is invited, including the Sultan, to partake of the feast.
Murod a Lomalayag
It is a feast given by travelers or sailors after they have returned from a trip in thanksgiving for their success and safety.
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Where to Stay in Lanao Del Sur | Brief History | Lanao Del Sur Descriptions
Cultural Attractions | Natural, Religious and Man-Made Attractions
Feasts and Festivals
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