Mythologies of the Iranun Tribe

The Iranun are an Austronesian ethnic group native to southwestern Mindanao, Philippines. They are ethnically and culturally closely related to the Maranao, and Maguindanaon, all three groups being denoted as speaking Danao languages and giving name to the island of Mindanao. The Iranun were traditionally sailors and were renowned for their ship-building skills. Iranun communities can also be found in Malaysia and Philippines. The origin of the name "Iranun" remains contested. The "Iranun" (archaic "Iranaoan") may have been the original endonym of the ancestral group which later split into the Iranun, Maranao, and Maguindanao people. The Iranun and Maranao still speak the language closest to the ancient Proto-Danaw among all of the Danao languages spoken by these groups. The Iranun are native to the southwestern regions of Mindanao. Iranun are found Maguindanao del Norte (Barira, Buldon, Parang, Matanog, Sultan Mastura, and Sultan Kudarat), North Cotabato (Alamada, Banisilan, Carmen, Libungan, and Pigcawayan); Lanao del Norte (Kauswagan and Kolambugan); Lanao del Sur (Balabagan, Kapatagan, Bumbaran, and Picong); Bukidnon (Kalilangan); and Zamboanga del Sur (Pagadian City, San Pablo, Dumalinao, Dimataling and Tukuran). The Iranun have also migrated to the other parts of the Philippines, especially in urban areas. Iranun have also migrated to the west coast of Sabah, Malaysia (in which they are found in 25 villages around the Kota Belud and Lahad Datu districts). They have also settled in Kudat and Likas, Kota Kinabalu, in which they assimilated with the Sama-Bajau, owing to their shared naval history as well as their common religious beliefs and same ancestral roots in the Bangsamoro region of the Southern Philippines.

The Illanun, called Iranun and Ilianon as well, are closely related culturally and linguistically to the Maranao and Maguindanaon. The Illanun language is part of the Austronesian family that is most closely related to Maranao. When the Spaniards left, however, contact between the Maranao and Illanun decreased. The majority of Illanun live along the coastline in the of the towns of Nulingi, Parang, Matanog, and Barira in Maguindanao Province, Mindanao; along the Iliana Bay coast, north of the mouth of the Pulangi River; and all the way to Sibugay Bay in Zamboanga del Sur and even the western coastal plain of Borneo. Illanun, a Malay term meaning “pirate,” is appropriate for the people of this ethnic group, who were once regarded as the fiercest pirates in the Malay area.

Iranun was one of the oldest existing nations in the world during the ancient times with definite integral territory wherein the sovereign power and authority was exercised over it by the ligimate ruler. Iranun as a nation inhabited mainly the Crab Gulf (Moro Gulf). Its villages were established and concentrated in the Iranun Bay (Illana Bay). The origin was attributed to the people of the Uranen Kingdom of the primitive past inhabited in the Tbok (Malabang). Iranun was the first people who entered into a marriage affinity with Shariff Aulia and Shariff Kabunsuan. Bai sa Pandan (Princess Pagunguwan, daughter of Rajah Urangguwan) and Bai Angintabu respectively. Their wedlocks where Sultan Kudarat has directly got his line of descent. Iranun was a breed nation between the Karibang-Karingke Line of descent and last wave of Malay migrants. From this marriage affinity sprang the Iranun nation whose first leader was Rajah Urangguwan. The name of their place (state) was Uranen. During the advent of the Shariffs, union took its place in the kingdom through uninterrupted inter-marriages among the royals. The ancient Muslim civilization started from the coast of the Uranen. Genealogists say that later in the succeding decades it was spread and extended to the Ranaw areas as far as Upper Pulangi areas. The Biwang-Kawanan Tinday A Datal O Pagilidan (Two Huge Coastal Principalities) was established as a political group headed by Rajah Makaapen after the death of Rajah Urangguwan, simoultaneously with Slangan and Buayan principalities. Later on sultanate system of government was established patterned from the system of government introduced by the Shariffs.The political system of the Iranun during Rajah Urangguwan was patterned from Sri Vishaya and Majapahit Empires. The society of the Iranun was a muslim. Its social class was classified into: Uripin (slave), Kadaklan (Dumato) and Pendatu (Ruling class). Iranun is a very hospitable and principled group of people. It is good and friendly contrary to the description of the western writers as they described Iranun as pirates. This description is not true. As a matter of fact, Iranun is the champion of hospitability and good will. The Sultan of Brunei was being reinforced by Sultan Kudarat. The fleet was composed of Iranun warriors. The Sultan of Brunei was able to defend his sovereign state against invaders through the assistance of the Iranuns led by Sultan Kudarat. Tradition says that it inhabited the coastal areas of the Iranun Bay. It was said that Tbok, a place near the present site of Malabang was the center and seat of government of the ancient Iranun. It was headed by Rajah Urangguwan, the ruler of the Uranen Kingdom. The modern authorities in history have cited the fact that the ancient territory of the Uranen was the areas where Sultan Kudarat exerciced his sovereign authority and influence. It stressed from Punta de Flechas of Sibugay down to Tagalook (Davaw Gulf). These areas were recognized by the Spaniards.

From the proud lineage of sultans of pre-colonial Philippines, the Iranuns have a long way to go to regain as one of the oldest existing nations in the ancient times. “It is very hard for me to speak in behalf of the entire Iranun. I can only speak for my family and relatives, but the way I see it, the Iranun has a long way to go. Iranuns are still struggling, especially those who are living in conflict-affected areas. It will be unfair to say that Iranuns have been doing well,” said Mussolini Sinsuat Lidasan, executive director of the Al Qalam Institute of Islamic Identities and Dialogue in Southeast Asia at Ateneo de Davao University (Addu). Although Iranuns of today have home-based madrasa (a college for Islamic instruction) and pandita (for the ritual specialists), this is not enough, he said. For one, the indigenous group does not have a school of living traditions. “Yes, it is quite difficult to pass on the cultural practices and identity of the Iranun, but we are doing our best to practice the culture and keep our identity up to our next generation. Good thing with Iranun youth now is they’re very active. We hope the government and different sector can do something,” he said. In Davao City, a sizable population of the Iranun can be found in Maa and Sirawan, Toril. The others could be found in Metro Manila and even in other countries around the world. As to how the Iranun keep their identity, Lidasan said, it is through speaking their language, maintaining their rituals and arts/decorations—Iranun textiles and swords with respective symbols—at home. And despite all pressure and influences, he said, the Iranuns ensure that certain life cycle is still being practiced. “Iranuns are also attached to nature and river. In fact, our rituals have the biggest role in keeping our identity. Our identity is fluid. It is not carve into stones. It is not forever as there are assimilations going on nowadays, but we do our best that our children still follows the life cycle sa kabila ng lahat,” he added.