Architecture of Mindanao PDF

# Architecture of Mindanao ## Lesson 3 ### Targets - Identifies the characteristics of architecture in Mindanao. - Analyzes the elements and principles of architecture inspired by the architecture of Mindanao. - Appreciates Mindanao architecture. - Shows interest in doing Mindanao art activity....

# Architecture of Mindanao ## Lesson 3 ### Targets - Identifies the characteristics of architecture in Mindanao. - Analyzes the elements and principles of architecture inspired by the architecture of Mindanao. - Appreciates Mindanao architecture. - Shows interest in doing Mindanao art activity. The Philippines, being a tropical climate, is characterized by relatively high temperatures, oppressive humidity, and plenty of rainfall. It is abundant in coconut trees, narra, bamboo, mahogany, tanguile, acacia, and many tropical plants to the point that pre-Spanish houses with different styles from the tip of Luzon to Mindanao are built mostly of a nipa hut. Different houses, like the *torogan* of the Maranao, the houses of Manobo from Agusan, Bukidnon, Davao, Misamis, and Cotabato, including the *bay-smug* of Tausug houses, are built from bamboo, nipa, and cogon. ## Maranao's Torogan The *torogan* is a stiff-roofed or cone-like structure. The walls are decorated with *panalongs* at the front and sides. These designs are not found in ordinary houses in a community as they symbolize power, rank, and leadership. The *panalong* is a beam-end or a prow or pointed point part of the house carved with a combination of floral and dragon (Naga) designs. It is also used to decorate *lamins* or a room (atop the *torogan*, especially intended for a daughter or maiden). One can also see these designs even in mosques, *bancas*, and home decor. The wall sidings and other parts of the house are also decorated with *okir* designs. ## Okir Design The *torogan* is supported by big posts, or sturdy pieces of timber or logs set upright in the ground; the size of each is as big as two to three standing individual holding hands together as if hugging the tree. The *torogan* house is constructed by first putting up the center post called, *rapuwilih* followed by four corner posts called *lukud*. The posts are made from *bunga* wood and are placed on top of large stones for protection against termites and devastating effects of earthquakes. The *torogan* is built for a sultan or *datu* who holds the highest rank in a community. It is an ancestral-communal house where he resides with his closest relatives. It is a multi-purpose house which functions as a meeting place for the members of the community and the sultan or *datu*. Community gatherings, weddings, coronations of *datus*, and other activities are also done here, not to mention that it also serves as a courtroom in settling disputes. ## The Manobo House A Manobo house is a square one-roomed structure at a height of 3 meters to 5 meters. The posts are usually light varying from 4 to 16 pieces, support the floor, roof, and other parts of the house. The materials consist of rattan, palm leaves, bamboo slats or dried cogon grass. The roofs are thatched with palm leaves, and the walls are made of bamboo slats or dried cogon. The floor is also made of palm leaves, bamboo slat or mahogany tree. ## The T'Boli House The T'boli house is raised about six feet or more above the ground with the side always barely more than three feet high. The roof is made of cogon or other dried grass which is strung and sewn down to the bamboo rafters with strips of raw abaca or rattan. The posts are of bamboo except for the three stumps still rooted to the ground that are occasionally utilized as posts for the inner portion of the floor. The walls of the house are of bamboo split from the inside and flattened out or of woven bamboo strips called *lahak*. The large two-level house of the T'boli is called *gunu bung*. Its structure is almost similar to other types; they only differ in size. It a home for an extended family, averaging about eight to sixteen persons. The house is laid out in a rectangular plan about fourteen meters long by eighteen meters wide. This shape of the house is appropriate as a weaving area for the sacred *tinalak* fabric. The lower central space is integrated with the elevated side areas. This area is the "area of honor", where the sleeping area and the vestibule is. The vertical edges of the roof are also with thatched walls. The walls of the house are made of split bamboo, or wood ladders were drawn up to keep the intruders out. Today T'Bolis still continue to live on banks of placid Lake Sebu and live peacefully in total harmony with nature. ## Tausug (Bay Snug) House A gabled roof and larger slit windows characterize the present-day Tausug house known as *bay snug*. A house built on flat, dry land on a site that slopes towards Mecca is lucky. It has a separate kitchen accessible through a side porch. ## Typical Yakan House Yakan houses in Basilan is a single-room structural plan with floor area of 100 square meters. It is called *lumah*. The steeply pitched ridge roof, *sapiaw*, is concave and traditionally thatched with cogon or nipa. There is often only one *tandiwan* or window, located on the front side of the house because they believed that opening our windows will invite evil spirit. Beside this is a long bench for guests. It does not have partitions. The kitchen is also used as the dining area. The porch or *pantan* is used for entertaining guests and some times a resting place in the household. You will find a cloth-weaving loom in the living room which leads to the porch. ## Badjao House The Badjao have been a nomadic, seafaring people, living off the sea by trading and subsistence fishing. The boat dwelling Badjao see themselves as non-aggressive people. They kept close to the shore by erecting houses on stilts, and travelled using *lepa-lepa*, handmade boats which many lived in. Although originally originating from the southern Philippines coast, *Sbahan Sma* legend narrates that they are descended from members of the royal guard of the Juhor Sultanate after the fall of the Malacca Empire, who settled along the east coast of Borneo after being driven there by storms. ## The Masjid (Mosque) Pre-Spanish Structure Islam was introduced in the Philippines by the Arabian missionary Sheik Karin UI Makhdum. He built the first Muslim mosque in 1380 A.D. on the small island of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi. Inside this national monument are four of the original 3-feet diameter *ipilpillars*. The place is a venerated pilgrimage site visited by imams from all over the country and Asia. Since its foundation, it still is a functioning mosque 625 years later. This mosque is declared as a National Historical Landmark as declared by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. It is the first and the oldest mosque in the Philippines - older than any Catholic church. The location of the mosque is also recognized as a National Cultural Treasure. ## The Kaum Purnah Mosque The Kaum Purnah Mosque is the oldest mosque in Basilan island. It is painted white and has a minaret with yellow colors on its upper half. # Ancestral Houses in Mindanao ## Pelaez Ancestral House Pelaez Ancestral House is inspired by a Beaux Art architectural design or an architectural design that focuses on symmetry and hierarchy of interior and spaces, aside from decorative articulation in its pilasters. The graceful proportion and tasteful details contribute to the quality, aesthetics of the house. The second floor has the traditional sliding capiz windows with balustrade *ventanillas*. ## Vega Ancestral House Vega Ancestral House in Poblacion, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental is a fine example of Spanish era Bahay Filipino that is not Bahay na Bato but is rather fully wooden materials. The house is a Nipa Mansion, a "Prototype Bahay na Bato style". The Vega Ancestral House is one of the 1st Transition Bahay na Bato inspired houses that has been standing through times. # Catholic Churches in Mindanao During the Spanish Era Some of the Spanish era churches in Mindanao found in Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga, and Davao are all built wholly or in part of masonry, bricks, or coral stones. ## Jimenez Church (San Juan Bautista Church) Jimenez Church (San Juan Bautista Church) in Misamis Occidental is, by far, the best preserved Spanish era built church in Mindanao. Building the church started in 1862-63 by Fr. Roque Azcona and probably finished in the late 1880s. It has retained much of its interior including a neo-gothic style retablo mayor, a ceiling painting done on canvas was installed in 1898. The original bell tower clock is still intact. The church was declared a National Cultural Treasure in 2001. ## St. James the Greater Church St. James the Greater Church might be the fourth structure built in Dapitan City ever since the first one was built in 1639. This church, now much covered in concrete has been historical as it was the National Hero, Jose Rizal, during his exile use to hear mass. A particular spot is marked inside where he used to stand. In front of the church is a relief map of Mindanao that he has also built. ## Caraga Catholic Church The oldest church in Mindanao is Caraga Catholic Church in Caraga, Davao Oriental. It has the distinction of having the oldest Catholic structure in the island of Mindanao. It was built by Fr. Pablo Pastells in 1884 when the Jesuits took charge of the spiritual administration of the town in 1871 from the Augustinian Recollects. # Painting and Sculpture of Mindanao ## Lesson 4 ### Targets - Identifies the characteristics of Mindanao sculpture and painting. - Reflects on and derive the mood, idea, message, etc. emanating from different art objects. - Appreciates the painting and sculpture of Mindanaoans. - Incorporates the design, form, and spirit of sculpture and painting from Mindanao like *okir*, *naga*, *ikat*, and *sarimanok* to one's art creation. - Expresses the love for painting and sculpture. The art: painting and sculpture of Mindanao reflects the varied superstitions, and ethnolinguistic traditions and culture of its people. ## Painting The T'Boli, Bagobo, B'laan and other tribal groups became skilled in the art of dyeing abaca fiber. The fiber is dyed by a method of tie dyeing called *ikat*. Ikat textiles are woven into intricate geometric patterns with animals, humans, and sometimes plant motifs. Another traditional painting expression was done on *boras* (rattan mat) by Simunul Sama ladies who used enamel paint to fill the space with a variety of designs. Initially, *boras* designs were purely geometrical, but as a result of pilgrimage to Mecca, new designs such as Ka'aba temple in Mecca, Arabic Kufic calligraphy and figurative *burraq* were integrated into *boras* designs by the arriving pilgrims. Islamic art places emphasis on creating an artform that is built on the beauty and respect for the teachings of Islam. ## Islamic Art Islamic art is characterized by designs of flowers, plant forms and geometric designs. It is used in calligraphy, architecture, painting, clothing, and other forms of fine art. As Islam spread around the world, this distinct form of art has become an integral part of the identity of its followers, including the Philippines. ## Sculpture Muslims in Mindanao have two main artistic styles: *okir* a curved-line wood carving, and metalworking style patterned after the Middle Eastern Islamic art. This style is associated with men, if not geometric tapestries and metalworking style associated with women. Tausugs and Sama-Bajaus exhibit their *okir* on elaborate gravemarkers with boat-like imagery. The *torogan* of the Maranaos make similar carvings on their *panalongs*. ## The T'Boli Museum The T'boli museum was set up to help maintain the T'boli heritage and provide a location to promote cultural learning. The museum displays artifacts and memorabilia. But what is prominently displayed in this modest museum are several gongs which strongly remind the T'boli's great tradition of brass casting and passion for music. ## Museo Dabawenyo ## Sculptor and Painter Abdulmari Asia Imao (a native of Sulu), 73, is the first Moro, and the only one to date, to be honored as National Artist of the Philippines. Named National Artist for Sculpture in 2006, he articulates Philippine Muslim art and culture through his work not only as a sculptor but also as a painter, photographer, ceramist, documentary film maker, cultural researcher, and writer. The National Artist award is considered the highest national recognition of Filipino individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts in the fields of music, dance, theater, visual arts, literature, film, broadcast arts, and architecture and allied Arts. In a profile on Imao, the NCCA notes, “Through his works, the indigenous *ukkil*, *sarimanok* and *naga* motifs have been popularized and instilled in the consciousness of the Filipino nation and other peoples as original Filipino creations.” "With his large-scale sculptures and monuments of Muslim and regional heroes and leaders gracing selected sites from Batanes to Tawi-tawi, Imao has helped develop among cultural groups trust and confidence necessary for the building of a more just and humane society.” ## Sculpted Images/Objects in Different Museums in Mindanao Sculpted images in different museums are a reflection of Mindanaoans tradition and culture. ## Museo Dabawenyo Bits and pieces of different images are shown. ## Museo de Oro (Cagayan de Oro) Museo de Oro displayed different kinds of patron saints. ## Fort Pilar Museum (Zamboanga City) ## Lepa *Lepa* is a sculptured houseboat of the Sama D'Laut better known as Badjao. The house boat is complete with living quarters where the family's food and water storage area are located near the stern. Items like cooking pots, coconut shell ladles, water jug, fishing tools, and implements complete the accessories in the boat. This *lepa* is displayed in Fort Pilar Museum in Zamboanga City. ## Balanghai *Balanghai* is another sculptured boat, this is from Butuan Shrine, Butuan City. It is a cultural heritage that establishes Butuan's maritime activities long before the Chinese and other Asian countries sailed the high seas. Butuan was declared an archeological site by Executive Order No. 252 and is protected against any form of intrusion, illegal excavation or vandalism. This *balanghai* is displayed in Butuan Shrine, a branch of National Museum.