Marawi City

MARAWI CITY

Known for its name as Islamic City of Marawi is the largest city in Lanao Del Sur and the central business of the region. It is the only Islamic City in the Philippines that can be found at the ARMM region in Mindanao. The city has a total of 201,785 (almost all are Maranao) as of 2015 and Maranao Language used as the widely spoken language. Some of them can also speak Tagalog, Cebuano, Arabic and even English.

Mindanao State University (Main Campus) is also located in this city. One of the popular school in the country.

LIFESTYLE in MARAWI

Street Foods could be similar to other city which tempura, kikiam, grilled part of chicken like liver can be found mostly in some street of the city. Pork and haram foods and drinks were forbidden like alcoholic drinks due to their belief in the religion of ISLAM. Most of the population of the city were maranao and maranao believes in the only one God (ALLAH).

The weather of the city was mostly cool, it’s because of the Lake Lanao and the city has a lot of trees that gives the city a cool wind. Based on my own experience, the city has no summer season as it always rain even summer season.

Maranaos are friendly and nice people, just don’t let them be your enemy.

WHAT YOU CAN BUY IN MARAWI?

Some Marawi’s businesses more focused in importing dresses, malong, hijab and other muslim needs. Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and even China were the most sources of the big businesses in Marawi.

We call this fish as "BAKAS"

In terms of fish, Marawi has Kadurog and Katulong that’s the most popular fishes in the realm of Maranao. Tilapia, Galonggong and Squids also exist and more.

Okir designed furnitures can be found in every furniture store in the city and Dodol, Amik, Browa were the popular sweet foods in the city.

Maranao Wedding

Let's talk about Maranao Wedding, based on my experience it can be simple or sometimes elegant as long as it is following the rule of ISLAM.

SIMPLE WEDDING

As in simple, once the groom was accepted by the parents of the bride they will now give the total dowry and set the date of the wedding. Sometimes, wedding may held at GYM or sometimes at the house depends on the bride's parents. Dowry may contains of money and sometimes, land title, carabao and other animal that can be used to farming may combined as dowry.

ELEGANT WEDDING

The amount of dowry in this maranao wedding may cost atleast PhP500,000.00. This wedding may held at hotel, resort and other event venue. Before the wedding date, the groom's family will perform "DIYALAGA" (groom's family will give some fruits, sweet foods etc.).

About Maranao

Masjid in Bario Naga, Marawi City

THE PEOPLE

Meranao also spelled as Maranaw or Meranao is the term used to address the people who are living in the Southern tribe. Specifically, the Muslim people of the Philippines. They can be found mostly in the ARMM region of the Country. Darangen and Kulintang are known as their epic literature.

CULTURE

Some popular known culture of Maranao's are Sarimanok that symbolizes them, Darangen for thier song, Singkil for their dance.

• Sarimanok, a symbol of their art that represent their colorful life and good fortune.
• Darangen is an epic song that covers their wealth.
• Singkil is a dance that they perform in a certain event.
• etc.

FOODS

Kuning, is one of the popular food of Maranao people. It is a rice that mixed with turmeric to make it colored yellow. Kuning is mostly served in a certain event like wedding, in a special visitors, celebration and more.

Dodol, Amik, Browa also popular as dessert. Mostly they used these foods as gift or served also in an event.