Traditional Maguindanaon Music

Local Maguindanaoan musicians play traditional music on kulintang, gandingan and agong (assortment of gongs) in Al Jamelah Weaving Center, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, Philippines.

Overshadowed by corruption and impunity currently magnified by the press, "Maguindanao" stands for a rich and proud centuries-old heritage that forms the multifarious fabric of Philippine culture.

The highlight of visiting Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao (near Cotabato City) was witnessing an impromptu performance of traditional Maguindanaon music at Al Jamelah Weaving Center, known for its handwoven 'inaul' textile. The Maguindanao people are a Muslim ethnolinguistic group belonging to the much larger Moro peoples of Mindanao.

Cultural worker Akmad Wampa (left) heads a community dance troupe for underprivileged and out-of-school youth. Like all the other indigenous cultures in the Philippines, Maguindanao culture and arts are threatened by modernization and, sadly, the indifference of younger generations to continue traditional knowledge and practices.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Music
• Tradition
• Maguindanao
• Philippines
• Mindanao
• kulintang
• gandinga
• agong
• Al Jamelah
• weaving
• center
• cotabato city