The original people
of Zamboanga were the Subanen of Indonesian origin at
about 2,000 to 6,000 years ago. They
were coastal people who believe in
the spirit of their ancestors and
the forces of nature. When the
Muslims arrived they were pushed
into the hinterlands and live along
riverbanks. Thus, the name "Suba,"
meaning people of the river.
Yakans are
basically farmers originally from the interior of
Basilan Province. Many are pagans and said to be
partly Polynesian in origin. The skill and the are
of hand weaving are handed down from generation to
generation. The can create a masterpiece of an
exquisite and very colorful piece of cloth
Yakan Weaver
performing Yakan dance
One of the
highlights of President Arroyo visits last
February 26, 2002, during the celebration of the
Dia de la Ciudad de Zamboanga was the inauguration
of the Ayuda Badjao Project, which she spearheaded
when she was the vice president and concurrent
Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development.
The Badjao are
called "Sea gypsies" because they move with the
wind and the tide with on their small houseboats
called vintas. The Badjaos are primitive
people, friendly and meek. The Department of
Social Welfare appropriated funds for their
livelihood program and they are now engaged into
colorful mat weaving
MAT WEAVING - a
Badjao women livelihood project
Rio Hondo is a
Muslim community where the house are build above
the water on silts. The houses are connected
with each other by means of catwalk
The taluksangay
Village is one of the oldest Muslim community in
Zamboaga, the well-known Nuņo families are the
pioneers of this village. A prominent structure is
the Taluksangay mosque of red brick and towering
minaret.
