Iranun people

Iranun in the Heritage Village of Kota Kinabalu , Sabah .¹ The Iranun are an ethnic group of Mindanao , Philippines and the west coast of Sabah , Malaysia , in 25 villages around the Kota Belud and Lahad Datu districts; also in Kudat and Likas , Kota Kinabalu .² Their current population is estimated to be around 240,000(2008 est). It is thought that the Malay word for pirate, 'lanun', derives from the word Illanun. Originally from the area around Lake Lanao in southern Mindanao , Illanun colonies spread from Sumatra through the Sulu Archipelago , and the east coast of Borneo. Most Illanun are Muslim . Their language is part of the Austronesian family, and is most closely related to Maranao of the Philippines . Its ISO code is ISO 639-3 ill. Historically, the Iranun were given the exonym Illanun during the British colonial era. Iranun by origin was one of the oldest existing nations of the world. It was the nationality of the people of the Uranen Kingdom of the ancient past. It was dismantled and destroyed by colonization. Thus it becomes a mother of all Moro tribes in the Philippines including Tiduray , Subanen , Kalagan , Blaan , Manobo , and other highlander tribes. Iranun occupies and inhabited the coastal areas which stretched from Tagalook Bay to Sibugay Bay (Moro Gulf of the Modern time). Thus Iranun means people of the sea coast. Some called people of the sea. Shariff Kabunsuan married Princess Angintabu , an Iranun Princess. Why they were Iranun? Long time before prehistoric period, the coastal areas of the present Iranun Bay (Illana Bay) within the Moro Gulf had no flat land surface. The constant flow of rivers and creeks from the mountains to the coastal areas, and volcanic eruptions caused little-by-little changes in the flat land up until the surface developed. There was a gradual formation of flat land surface as seen today (the present topography). Modern science described and illustrated as a result of sedimentary formation and residual remains forms the low and flat land surface in the coastal areas. The vernacular called it Ira which means remains. The suffix nun means people. Thus it forms a word or term IRANUN which means people living the residual remains in the coastal areas. In its socio-political meaning and interpretation, Iranun means people who inhabited along the coastal areas from Tagalook Bay to Sibugay Bay . The first seat of government of the Uranen Kingdom was in Tbok , a barangay of Malabang, Lanao del Sur along coastal area of the municipality. Who were the heirs of the Uranen Kingdom? After the death of the Rajah Urangguwan , the founder of the Kingdom, his heirs named: Makaapen , Dungklang , Maraguia , and Budtol divided and established their own political unit. Makaapen had stayed foot and remained in the seat of government at Tbok. The area of responsibility of Tbok starts from Malabang River to Zamboanga Peninsula and all in land places embraces thereof. Tbok was his seat of government. He established his political unit at Magulaling , Balabagan , Lanao del Sur . He extended his political sovereignty up to Ranaw region including the Tagoloan (now Cagayan and Misamis Oriental). Magulaling was his seat of government. He established his political unit in Slangan (now Cotabato City). The area of responsibility of Slangan embraces generally the present Cotabato City, some part of Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat provinces. Slangan was his seat of government. Budtol moved going upper stream through Slangan . He established his political unit at Buayan . He extended his political sovereignty up to Davao region including Agusan Provinces, and some part of the North Cotabato Province. What was the relation of Uranen Kingdom with other ancient Kingdoms? Relations has many interpretations and connotations. To inquire and to seek knowledge can only be possible if the respondent is invited to experience socio-cultural and political relations of Uranen Kingdom with other ancient kingdoms. Uranen Kingdom has four social classes of people. They were: Pendatu (Noble and Ruling Class), Dumato (Commoners), Endatuan (followers), and Uripin (Slaves). This social class was common to all ancient Kingdoms and Sovereigns. Uranen Kingdom had its diplomats with other ancient Kingdoms. They had been confederated to each other( Aninipay Kingdom, Maktan Kingdom, Sugbu Kingdom, and Batangan Kingdom). They shared the same culture and tradition, and practiced the same source livelihood and economy. What was the nationality of the ancient neighboring kingdoms? Uranen Kingdom and its neighboring Kingdoms as enumerated has the same nationality. They shared the same and common ancestry. Their inhabitants and people were all called Iranuns . Characteristics of the Iranun Iranun as people was very friendly, courteous, helpful, humble, kind, loyal, courageous and brave. It is a promise-fulfilling nation. They considered promise as sacred statement which should be fulfilled. Western writers are often biased and gave erroneous description to the Iranun populace. Iranun was not and never were bandits and pirates. The truth was that when colonization and aggression of the Spaniards and other foreign ancient super powers, Iranun had strongly and vehemently repulsed and defended their sovereignty as an independent state and nation. They established and adopted a counter strategy against the invaders. They also launched a heavy counter-offensive. War had been declared to all aggressors, colonizers and invaders regardless of nationality or origin. It was a fact and normal in time war that there was a spoil of war (prisoners of war), and collateral damages. Normally, the victorious groups would brought back to their place of the origin all spoils of (prisoners of war) war. Therefore, the description of the western writers and historians were mere fallacy. Tradition of the Iranun The tradition of the Iranun started from the ancient times. Iranun considered tradition as a guide of all humanistic and political undertakings. Tradition is something established and inherited. Political leadership in Iranun tradition is often inherited. After the father dies or is disabled, the eldest son assumes the authority. In some cases, a daughter of the deceased Datu assumes the authority (the deceased Datu has no son) "Kapagidala". In time the present ruling family has no qualified successor, the authority to rule shall be transferred to other ruling family with the same roots( saka lukes in Iranun version). The application of this practice shall be applied again-and-again on succession issue. The prince apparent class among the ruling group shall assume the authority in time of no qualified in the Sultan or King or Rajah Clan. Qualification or Criteria in Choosing the Ruler There are four major areas, namely: Bansawan (ruling and noble class), Nunawan (Knowledgeable), Artawan (Brave, Strong, and Courageous)and Rupawan (wealth). Eldest Council Iranun has its Council of Elders to resolve issues especially on politics (succession of leader). Its names varies from principality to principality. Its name is peculiar to a certain principality. In the case of the Slangan Principality, its Council of Elders was: Datu Sa Kaludan, Maharaja Edenda, Ambaharaja, and Maharajalaila. Datu Kali is the chief justice. The major source of rendering decision was taken from the Holy Qur-an , Hadeeth , Qiyas , the Traditional sources called Radawan and Ghalib ko Enged . Enthronement Ceremony The sultan or raja or king shall be enthroned with the presence of the Council of Elders. The ceremony is usually held in the Royal Court or Turugan in vernacular dialect. The in-coming sultan shall step foot to the white soil, a symbol of confinement. The Chairman of the Council of Elders shall announce and proclaim the in-coming sultan. The cannons and other forms of guns shall be blown, an honor-sign (Hudyat ng parangal). What is white soil or earth? White soil or earth-soil is just an expression connoting sign of royalty. The soil which has been referred was a soil which was carried over by the Shariffs . The tradition among Iranuns say that every enthronement ceremony, the in-coming sultan should step foot as one of the symbols of true line of descent. In Maguindanao Sultanate , the Tabunaway Clan is the authorized clan to get the white soil from the Tantawan Cave. Tradition says that the white soil is being guarded by a big snake. Only representative from Tabunaway Clan whom the snake vows its head. In Balabagan Sultanate , the Amidumpaw Clan is the authorized clan to get the white soil from Magulaling Cave.³