Invisibilities in the Sama islands and seas: Grace

Invisibilities in the Sama islands

and seas: Grace

Invisibilities in the

Sama islands

and seas:

Grace

2022

Autobiographical recollection, impression on cornstarch,

and installation

Karl Castro (concept development and artwork creation), Hadji Tuttoh Awang, Anthony Peñafiel, Benhar Tahil, Ed.D., Adzhar Ibno, Sattolnina Abba and Panglima Asikal Maasiral (autobiographical detail), Mucha Shim Quiling (research and analysis), Marian Pastor Roces (concept and concept development), Sara Rivera (concept development), Maricel Hilario-Patiño (project administration and anthropological insight)

They also understand that the

dislocations experienced in Sulu

increased momentum during the

Martial Law period that brought

war to the archipelago.

SAMA WOMEN AT A COMMUNITY MEETING WITH

THE RESEARCH TEAM IN MARIKI, ZAMBOANGA CITY.

The word grace describes

the will to life of the participating

men and women in this project,

who wish it understood that

their desire to uphold

the ritualized Samalan sea-oriented

life of the past is neither belligerent

nor divisive. They seek a "One Sulu"

inclusive of Tausug and

Sama peoples, despite

historical asymmetries of power

between the language groups.

THE PROJECT COLLABORATORS

ARE ACUTELY AWARE THAT

THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF

THESE RITUALS IS THREATENED BY

FUNDAMENTALIST STRAINS OF ISLAM,

MODERNISM, AND INDEED CHRISTIANITY.

THIS IDEAL OF UNITY EMERGES FROM

A CULTIVATED SENSIBILITY THAT KEEPS FAITH

WITH PRE-ISLAMIC AND ISLAMIC-ANIMIST

RITUALS PRESIDING OVER LIFE AND DEATH

IN THE SULU ARCHIPELAGO.

THIS IDEAL OF UNITY EMERGES FROM

A CULTIVATED SENSIBILITY THAT

KEEPS FAITH WITH PRE-ISLAMIC

AND ISLAMIC-ANIMIST RITUALS PRESIDING

OVER LIFE AND DEATH IN THE

SULU ARCHIPELAGO.

ilities

in the

Sama

Islands

and

seas:

Grace

Invisib

Invisibilities

and seas: Grace

in the Sama islands

SAMA WOMEN AT A COMMUNITY MEETING WITH

THE RESEARCH TEAM IN MARIKI, ZAMBOANGA CITY.

They also understand that the

dislocations experienced in Sulu

increased momentum during the

Martial Law period that brought

war to the archipelago.

THIS IDEAL OF UNITY EMERGES FROM A CULTIVATED SENSIBILITY THAT KEEPS FAITH WITH PRE-ISLAMIC AND ISLAMIC-ANIMIST RITUALS PRESIDING OVER LIFE AND DEATH

IN THE SULU ARCHIPELAGO.

The word grace describes

the will to life of the participating

men and women in this project,

who wish it understood that

their desire to uphold

the ritualized Samalan sea-oriented

life of the past is neither belligerent

nor divisive. They seek a "One Sulu"

inclusive of Tausug and

Sama peoples, despite

historical asymmetries of power

between the language groups.

THE PROJECT COLLABORATORS ARE ACUTELY AWARE THAT THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF

THESE RITUALS IS THREATENED

BY FUNDAMENTALIST STRAINS

OF ISLAM, MODERNISM, AND INDEED CHRISTIANITY.

These small polychromatic, plain-woven mats

are used universally in the Sulu archipelago

for the pause to pray, many times a day,

as prescribed by Islam. It may be said that mats

in general—traditionally used for the most

mundane passages of daily life—

also accompanied many Sulu peoples in major

passages such as birth and death, and therefore

the use in Islam represents an intersection

between global and local realms.

Mats used for prayer

Tusug (but similar ones used by Sama speakers)

Plain weave

Dyed pandanus strips

Gift from Mucha Shim Quiling

These small polychromatic,

plain-woven mats

are used universally in the Sulu archipelago for the pause to pray,

many times a day,

as prescribed by Islam. It may be said that mats in general—traditionally used for the most mundane passages of daily life—also accompanied many Sulu peoples in major passages such as

birth and death,

and therefore the use in Islam

represents an intersection

between global and local realms.

Mats used for prayer

Tusug (but similar ones used by Sama speakers)

Plain weave

Dyed pandanus strips

Gift from Mucha Shim Quiling

RESEARCH PARTNER MUCHA SHIM QUILIG (CENTER) IN JOLO, SULU.

RESEARCH PARTNER MUCHA SHIM QUILING (LEFT) WITH DR. KRISTINE SANTOS (CENTER), EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ATENEO LIBRARY OF WOMEN'S WRITING.

SINCE THE BURNING OF JOLO IN THE 1970S, WHICH OCCURED WHILE THIS CAPITAL OF SULU WAS ALSO BEING BOMBARDED BY THE PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE, THE REBUILDING OF LIVES COULD NOT PROCEED QUICKLY ENOUGH BEFORE NEW "BOMBARDMENTS"—MODERN CULTURES OF OPPORTUNISM AND OLD CULTURES WITH AN AUTOCRATIC BENT—CREATED NEW CHALLENGES.

The justice sought by

these participants is that

which acknowledges Sama

and Tausug ritual life and

guarantees their survival

and continued growth.

The exhibition on their call

against disappearance consists

of molds of mats woven by

Samalan women. The grace that

is captured in the artworks

is in the ephemerality of

the material: the molds

will disappear soon, and revealed

may be the integrated Samalan

and Tausug cultures of the past.

It is to be hoped.

SINCE THE BURNING OF JOLO IN THE 1970S,

WHICH OCCURED WHILE THIS CAPITAL OF SULU WAS ALSO

BEING BOMBARDED BY THE PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE,

THE REBUILDING OF LIVES COULD NOT PROCEED QUICKLY

ENOUGH BEFORE NEW "BOMBARDMENTS"—

MODERN CULTURES OF OPPORTUNISM AND OLD CULTURES

WITH AN AUTOCRATIC BENT—CREATED NEW CHALLENGES.

The justice sought by

these participants is that

which acknowledges Sama

and Tausug ritual life and

guarantees their survival

and continued growth.

The exhibition on their call

against disappearance consists

of molds of mats woven by

Samalan women. The grace that

is captured in the artworks

is in the ephemerality of

the material: the molds

will disappear soon, and revealed

may be the integrated Samalan

and Tausug cultures of the past.

It is to be hoped.

GRACEFULLY, THEY CONTINUE

TO CONDUCT WHAT THEY CAN,

WHILE HOPING THAT EVENTUALLY,

THE SURVIVED OLD TRADITIONS

WILL BE REVEALED.

RESEARCH PARTNER MUCHA SHIM QUILIG (CENTER) IN JOLO, SULU.

RESEARCH PARTNER MUCHA SHIM QUILING (LEFT) WITH DR. KRISTINE SANTOS (CENTER), EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ATENEO LIBRARY OF WOMEN'S WRITING.

SINCE THE BURNING OF JOLO IN THE 1970S,

WHICH OCCURED WHILE THIS CAPITAL OF SULU WAS ALSO

BEING BOMBARDED BY THE PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE,

THE REBUILDING OF LIVES COULD NOT PROCEED QUICKLY

ENOUGH BEFORE NEW "BOMBARDMENTS"—

MODERN CULTURES OF OPPORTUNISM AND OLD CULTURES

WITH AN AUTOCRATIC BENT—CREATED NEW CHALLENGES.

The justice sought by

these participants is that

which acknowledges Sama

and Tausug ritual life and

guarantees their survival

and continued growth.

The exhibition on their call

against disappearance consists

of molds of mats woven by

Samalan women. The grace that

is captured in the artworks

is in the ephemerality of

the material: the molds

will disappear soon, and revealed

may be the integrated Samalan

and Tausug cultures of the past.

It is to be hoped.

GRACEFULLY, THEY CONTINUE

TO CONDUCT WHAT THEY CAN,

WHILE HOPING THAT EVENTUALLY,

THE SURVIVED OLD TRADITIONS

WILL BE REVEALED.

RESEARCH PARTNER MUCHA SHIM QUILIG (CENTER) IN JOLO, SULU.

RESEARCH PARTNER MUCHA SHIM QUILING (LEFT) WITH DR. KRISTINE SANTOS (CENTER), EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ATENEO LIBRARY OF WOMEN'S WRITING.

GRACEFULLY, THEY CONTINUE

TO CONDUCT WHAT THEY CAN,

WHILE HOPING THAT EVENTUALLY,

THE SURVIVED OLD TRADITIONS

WILL BE REVEALED.

FOR THE WOMEN INCLUDING

THE FOUR  WHO ENTHUSIASTICALLY

ALLOWED EXCERPTS OF

THEIR STORIES TO BE EMBROIDERED

ON TRADITIONAL KALINGA

WRAP-AROUND SKIRTS OF

THEIR CHOOSING, THE TRAJECTORIES

OF THEIR LIVES INTO VIOLENT

DEFIANCE WERE AN EXERCISE OF

THEIR OWN POWER.

VIEWS OF THE SETTLEMENT HOUSING FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN RIO HONDO, ZAMBOANGA CITY.
VIEWS OF THE SETTLEMENT HOUSING FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN RIO HONDO, ZAMBOANGA CITY.
CONNER APAYAO
BALBALAN
BALENCIAGO MASS BASE
TOMIANGAN
NAPOCOR CAMP
NANENG MASS BASE
CAGALUAN MASS BASE
TANAP MASS BASE
MALUCUSOD MASS BASE
BASAO MASS BASE
BATONG BUHAY MASS BASE
MOUNT BINULUAN
HELD THE CORDILLERA
MASS PLENUM IN 1984
PLANNING OF SPLIT
MOUNT BINULUAN SIKUU'
MALLANGA
SUMADEL MASS BASE
PAY-ONG BANGAD
FULISONG BANGAD
BANGAD MASS BASE
TINGLAYAN
DANANAO MASS BASE.
MARKS BY JUANITA CHULSI AND
JUANITA D. CABABA
BITUAGAN
SADANGA
BELWANG MASS BASE
BUGNAY
BUGNAY GATE
MOUNTAIN BETWEEN
BASAO AND BUGNAY
BASAO
CHICO RIVER
NGIBAT
BUTBUT PROPER
LOCCONG
BUSCALAN
MOUNT CHUMANCHIL.
A
B
C
D 
E
F

G
H
I
J
K
L
M
A
B
C
D
 
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L


M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
MARKS BY TINA BALWEG,
CAROLYN GAMBOA AND
MANDING TAYAB

THIS MAP INCLUDES THE MARITIME DOMAINS OF THE SAMA DILAUT (BADJAO), SAMA PANGUTARAN, CENTRAL SINAMA, JAMA MAPUN, SAMA YAKAN, AND SAMA BANGINGIH, WITH THE TAUSUG ESSENTIALLY OCCUPYING THE ISLAND OF JOLO.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SAMA TRADITION, INFUSED BY BOTH

MYSTIC ISALM AS WELL AS ANIMISM,

IS AN EVENT HORIZON TAKING PLACE IN THE WHOLE OF THE SULU ARCHIPELAGO.

THIS MAP INCLUDES THE MARITIME DOMAINS

OF THE SAMA DILAUT (BADJAO), SAMA PANGUTARAN,

CENTRAL SINAMA, JAMA MAPUN, SAMA YAKAN, AND

SAMA BANGINGIH, WITH THE TAUSUG ESSENTIALLY OCCUPYING

THE ISLAND OF JOLO. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SAMA TRADITION,

INFUSED BY BOTH MYSTIC ISALM AS WELL AS ANIMISM,

IS AN EVENT HORIZON TAKING PLACE IN THE WHOLE

OF THE SULU ARCHIPELAGO.

The project partners whose recollections form the base of the Sama experience of Martial Law collectively believe that the entire world of all Samalan speaking peoples—as well as the Tausug—will form their spatial representation

The project partners whose recollections form the base

of the Sama experience of Martial Law collectively believe

that the entire world of all Samalan speaking peoples—

as well as the Tausug—will form their spatial representation.

The project partners whose recollections form the base of the Sama experience of Martial Law collectively believe that the entire world of all Samalan speaking peoples—as well as the Tausug—will form their spatial representation

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