The Kagan/Kalagan Tribe

 The Kagan Tribe Background

 Geographic background
 What Kagan means
 Language of Kagan Tribe
 The Kagan Tribe Cultural Aspect
 Work
 Traditional Food
 Clothing and Accesories
 Intrument’s use
 The Kagan Tribe Social Aspect
 Religion and Beliefs
 The kadayawan festival
 Wedding Practices
 Pregnancy and Delivery Practices
 Circumcision
 Death and Burial Practices
 The Kagan Tribe Political Aspects
 Women in the Government
 Justice System
 The Kagan Tribe Literary Texts
 Literary works of Kagan’s
 The Kagan Tribe Main Issues the Tribe is Facing Right Now
 Kagan, not Kalagan
 Education
The Kagan Tribe Background

The Kagan tribe is located in the southeastern portion of Mindanao, particularly in the Davao
Region, between the interior uplands and the coastline of the Davao Gulf. They are one of the 13
Islamized ethnolinguistic groups of Bangsamoro and the only Islamized indigenous tribe in Davao
City.

Their name was derived from the word, kaag, which means "to warn". Because many of their
members resided along the coastal area, this term refers to how they informed their people and
neighboring tribes of foreign invaders.

The Kagan Tribe Cultural Aspects

The Kagan people are known to be self- sufficient farmers. Depending on the land that they're
cultivating, they produce a variety of crops such as rice, sweet potatoes, abaca, and coconut, with corn
as their major harvest. Aside from farming, Kagans near the coastal area also obtain their food through
fishing.

Traditional Food

Sinigapuna. The Kagan Yellow Rice is a dish cooked with coconut milk, turmeric, and other spices.
It is served on special occasions and religious celebrations.

Kagikit. This delicacy is made with shredded tuna, seasoned with spices and soy sauce. It is served
as a topping for Pastil or steamed rice wrapped in banana leaves.

Amik. This is a golden-brown, crunchy rice noodle snack that can be shaped into rolls or different
forms. During the three-day Pakaradyan Festival of the Moro communities, an amik making
contest is held to find the best cooks among the tribes.
 Panyalam. Also referred to as Panyam. this traditional deep- fried rice pancake is prepared with
ground glutinous rice, muscovado, and coconut milk.

Jampok. Usually made from mashed Tundan bananas, this sweet "merienda" is a deep-fried
banana ball sprinkled with sugar.

Clothing and Accesories

Especially during social gatherings, the Kagan tribe loves wearing bright and colorful knitted
garments. Their clothes are patterned with fine, delicate colored beads and fibers, with golden
strips that emphasize the design worn by their members. There can also be embroidered pieces of
Kagan visual arts on their attires and dresses worn by both the pre-Islamic and Islamic

Kagan community. In the process of weaving, spindles and other bamboo hand tools are used,
putting together cotton, and pineapple and abaca fibers.

The Kagan tribe possesses hand-carved, decorative combs which are made out of wood. This is
also patterned with glass beads and bits of mirrors, stuck using a rubbery substance from a tree.
Hanging from this comb are 14 beaded strings with differing lengths, and stuck with the same
rubbery substance is a tail of horsehair-positioned on top of the comb.

Additionally, the Kagan tribe has bracelets which can be laced and netted with beads. And leglets
which are made from rattan fibres then thinly cut, sometimes with glass beads attached at every
1.5 to 2 cm. These leglets are wom precisely under their knees, giving them strength and
protection from falling or injuries.

They also have necklaces which vary with design. Their necklaces can come with different lengths
of 4 beaded strings. locked with a metal clasp. Some can be composed of 6 beaded strings with 4
brass pellet bells at the end. And some can simply be single-stringed with beads and glass pellets.

During special occasions, the kagan tribe performs graceful rythmic dances to Kulintang music.

Kulintang refers to both the instrument, which is a set of eight bronze knobbed gongs on a
wooden stand, as well as the larger ensemble, which includes gongs, drums, and other percussion
instruments.

The Kagan Tribe Social Aspects

It is said that the Kagans became Muslim midway through the nineteenth century. This happened
due to the blend of these aspects: the Tausug migrants' political pressure and/or influence, their
Maguindanaon neighbors' substantial exposure and/or contact with them, and the marriages
between the Kagans and Maguindanaons and/or Tausugs.

The Kadawayan

Every third week of August, the Kadawayan Festival is held as a ritual and celebration of
thanksgiving for life, the gifts of nature, the wealth of the culture, the bountiful harvests, and the
tranquility of living.
Kadawayan, a native expression in the Dabawnon tongue, derived from the word madayaw,
meaning good, valuable, and superior, thus, in Tagalog, it means "pasasalamat" and
"pagpapahalaga". Furthermore, it is an expression of their respect to the wonderful year they've
experienced. Because of this, fruits, vegetables, flowers, rice, and corn grains are displayed at the
front of their houses and mats.

facts! During the 27th Kadawayan Festival, colorul and cibrant costumed silled the slender streets
of Davao. It is also known as 'the festivals of festivals' and 'the king of festivals in the Philippines,
with 70,000 witnesses who were tourists.

This is one of the biggest festivals in the country, a celebration without tribal borders and religion,
prided by eleven of Davao's ethnic groups; and one of them being the Kagan tribe.

Wedding Practices

The discussion of the mahr or pangayo, in which a third person would serve as the middleman, is
one of the first acts of getting married. In this negotiation, the sum settled upon would be the
starting commitment of the pair in their union. The soon-to-be husband would supply the cow/s,
goat/s, ducks, corn, and more with the dress and all of the provisions at the feast.

The mood is joyous on the katipunan, and while no liquor is distributed, people dance. On the
kawin, the couple bathe separately in order to rid them of their impurities. The door is closed by
their loved ones with a string and lapun. The gong starts the kawin, which is situated on an
elaborately. decorated elevated table. The bride sits first and the imam reads the Fatiha.

words!

 maht (bride price)

 pangayo (dowry)
 Katipunan (eve of the wedding)
 Lanun (paper money)
 Kawin (the wedding day)
 Fatiha (the opening chapter of th Koran)

Their wedding day is largely affected by the phases of the moon, with the new moon being the
preferred option.

Did you know?

The groom and the bride each have 3 sponsors, and important members of the society are
requested to attend.

The religious duties of the groom are asked about and his thumb is taken ahold of by the imam,
pressing their thumbs together. The imam also does this to their toes, as he steps on the right
foot of the groom. As their hands are locked, a scarf is used to cover it then the groom is asked if
he is willing to marry and care for his soon-to-be wife. The groom then replies, "Inshallah", and
presses his right thumb on the lips of the bride, then her forehead-indicating the bride's
submission. Finally, finishing the ceremony, the imam recites a prayer. Wishes and gifts are given
to the couple by the guests. And to the guests, there is dancing and thanksgiving.

Inshallah? The word "Inshallah" is an exclamation saying, "If God wills it. After asked to do
something, responding with this proclaims that one will do his best. But in today's world, the word
is being abused, declaring the opposite, making a promise to not do something.

Pregnancy and Delivery Practices

The first part of the practice happens around the fourth or fifth month of a woman's pregnancy.
Here, her belly is prayed over by a panday. The second part happens in the seventh month
wherein a kandari is done, together with the extended family, to pave a way for a safe birth.
When the delivery happens, the midwife, who is the balyan, helps the mother, and the infant
hears the Muslim Shahada through the whisper of the panday.

 Panday (native healer)

 Kandari (a ceremony)
 Balyan (a female native ritual specialist)
 Muslim Shahada (an Islamic profession of faith)

Muslim Shahada? This declaration says, "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his
messenger." Only one genuine recitation of this creed converts a person to islam. Among the Five
Pillars of Islam, this is the most important.

Three months after the infant's birth, another kandari is conducted. In the "Paggunting" they
would cut the child's hair, the imam or uztadj would read the first verses of the Koran and would
trim off a clump of hair from the forelock-- wherein a relative would accept it, for safekeeping.
During the feast, a sadaka is situated next to the dinner plates of guests.

help?

 Imam (an Islamic priest)

 Liztadi (an Islamic scholar)
 Sadaka (a packet for voluntary offerings)

Circumcision

Prayers are said, then circumcision is undergone. For females, this is done at age seven, wherein
an old woman uses a thin bamboo stick to scratch a part of her clitoris. While for a male, it is done
as a group by a specialist.

Death and Burial Practices

Death happens, no matter who you are, no matter where you're from. But the burial of the
Kagans makes it very special.

Firstly, before death takes over, the Kagans perform the Shahada to the dying. Then, the loved
ones are informed about the death, and help in any form is requested.

Secondly, the body, which is being covered with cloth from the waist to his ankles, is also being
cleansed by the uztadj. done by the same gender as the dead, with the exception of his wife (but
 not vice versa) and with no restrictions in washing a baby. Also, the baylan performs prayers, and
unutilized needles are thrust into three pieces of ginger and positioned in cups that are filled with
Tiwalan water. This water is now drunk from the cups and if the initial amount is depleted, more
water can be added.

Thirdly, the dead is laid down on his right side, with his front facing the holy Kaaba in Mecca. His
eyes will be gently closed, his limbs will be positioned straight, and his body will be wrapped with
a white cloth.

Fourth, through a window, the corpse is brought outside for the burial; and with alignment to
their Islamic practice, must be done within twenty-four hours. At the site, a part of the Koran is
read by an imam. Then, the body is taken down into the kobor. To serve as transportation to the
next world, an agiga is also offered.

what?

 Tiwalan water (holy water, can also be sprinkled on those who are possesed by evil spirits)
 kobor (grave)
 kagan Agiga (a sacrificial animal)

Fifth, the three-night wake takes place wherein the Koran is read by a few and on the third day-- a
kandari occurs. The soul of the dead is prayed for by the imam, white-- the color for mouming-- is
worn by the family, and to protect the dead from punishment, they give sadaka a part of this
involves giving to the poor. And also, they slaughter a cow that will be feasted by the community.
Food is taken to the grave and water is poured over the marker to satisfy the dead's thirst.

Do you remember when they would cleanse his body? The bench used will be washer! and
perfumed. This will be done three to five times.

Within this ritual, nobody is allowed to shed tears, to weed or cut branches near the grave, to not
look back when leaving the grave, to those who were part of the procession: they are to bathe
later, and to those who return to the family of the diseased-rice is thrown at them.

guess what? If the dead has a beard, a cloth will be used to tie it down onto his chest.

The Kagan Tribe Political Aspects

System of Leadership

Datuship is the political system in place for the Kagan people. Although the position of a datu is
inherited, one's age, bloodline, and capacity to lead are all put into careful consideration. The
datu is responsible for presiding all civic and labor duties, as well as resolving conflicts that arise
within the area.

Originally, the datu and imam had authority over their respective groups. Because they handled
affairs of different kinds, they ensured a definite separation between politics and religion.

The current political structure displays aspects from both the Kagans' and the national
government's. Even though datus are often recognized as the chief of the largest clans in their
villages, they are still led by the sultan of the area. The sultan is selected by the people from the
 Barabangsa social group. A barangay captain that serves as a village representative to the
government is also elected.

did you know? "bara-bangsa" means dignity.

Women in The Government

In the Kagan tribe, it was always made sure that some women would possess political authority.
Biya is a position for the woman who holds the highest place in their community. Although her
rank may be high, her power is not equal to that of the datu's. A biya's responsibility is to
represent and make decisions on behalf of the women in her area. Not only is she the
spokeswoman for their concerns, but the biya also assigns them tasks during social events. Other
than that, she is only allowed to provide suggestions in council meetings. She is assisted by a
council whose members are handpicked by her. For a woman to be a biya, she either needs to
have royal blood or be the first wife (unless another or herself already is) of the datu. In
determining the adequate leader for this position, an old biya is considered before the present
wife of the datu.

Justice System

Before its Islamization, the government referred to the addat. Even after the arrival of Islam, most
of their political and justice systems remained intact, except for a few punishments that have
been modified in consideration of the commands in the Qur'an.

what does it mean?

addat (customary laws)

An increasing number of disputes are being settled in the hukuman, where both the addat and
Shari'ah Law is enforced. Supreme leaders in the village such as the imam, datu, uztdj, the mokari,
and barangay captain serve as the judge. The offending party may receive different types of
punishments depending on the severity and reason for committing the crime. Despite the
punishments indicated in the Qur'an, all parties are subjected to a course of legal proceedings.

need some help?

 hukuman (court)
 mokar! (elders)

what is the Shari'ah Law?

Sharia, translated, means "the way". It is an Islamic religious law that acts as a code of conduct,
managing religious rituals and the day-to- day life in Islam.

The Kagan Tribe Literary Texts

The Kagan Tribe Main Issues The Tribe Facing Now

Kagan, not Kalagan

The Davao City Council passed an ordinance requiring all private and public agencies to use the
term "Kagan" and not "Kalagan" in all essential files, data reports, and other community
documents when referring to the Kagan tribe. "Kagan" refers to the indigenous tribe that has
adopted Islam and has formed its own practices, culture, and traditions. Meanwhile, "Kalagan"
refers to the Christianized group of people originally from the Caraga Administrative Region. It is
also considered to be an "unrectified" term used when pertaining to the Kagans.

The objective of this ordinance is to give due recognition by raising awareness and informing
people of the difference between the two terms. Prohibited acts include the printing of "Kalagan"
instead of "Kagan" in public documents, as well as the failure to correct the misuse of terms. The
penalties for committing such deeds can range from P500 up to P5,000. Although it has been
nearly 5 years since the passing of the ordinance, the term, Kalagan, is still being widely used to
refer to the Kagan tribe.

It is of utmost importance that stricter implementations and compliance methods will be ensured.

Education

In this day and age, Kagan learners are facing academic challenges. They are struggling with
language skills, mathematics, anxiety, and agitation. Students are also in want of a home support
system and are compromised by poor study behavior, as well as impoverishment.

The impacts of social interaction have likely led them to realize the significance of hard work,
education, change of outlook, and the practice of using the English language. Through this, they
have gained an understanding of how education could be used as an instrument towards socio-
economic progress.