N'ditarun Tano: Revitalizing Meranaw culture and community in Lanao del Sur

THE second Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP) underscores the importance of preserving and mainstreaming the diverse cultural beliefs, practices, traditions and identities of the people in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during the extended transition phase from 2023 to 2025 and continuing until 2028. However, the situation analysis in the BDP expresses concern that many young people in the region do not fully appreciate or practice their cultural heritage, which includes the arts, dance, sports and music.

This decline is attributed to their exposure to foreign cultures, languages and practices influenced by modern lifestyles and social media. Instead of engaging with their cultural identities, many young people are drawn to social media platforms and contemporary trends. Traditional practices, such as communal gatherings with native delicacies and Indigenous music performed by local artists, have reportedly diminished in popularity. Authentic artists are becoming increasingly rare, and many in the current generation seem to lack sufficient knowledge of their history and customs.