Philippine E-Journals

The Meranao Manuscripts: Their Contents and Characteristics

Labi Hadji Sarip Riwarung

 

Abstract:

Meranao manuscripts refer to those documents written by hand in classical Meranao or Malay language using Arabicbased script such as batang a Arab and kirim, depending on the contents and type of document in which the script is used. These manuscripts are both religious and cultural. Religious manuscripts include the Qur’an, kissa or Islamic stories, Arabic and Islamic textbooks like the parokonan or the guide to prayer, alipalipan or the Arabic alphabet, barsindi or the book used by the padidikir in performing dikir, prayer scroll, and other Islamic books of importance to them. The Meranao are very much concerned about their life after death, thus acquiring knowledge on that subject is very important to them. Cultural manuscripts, on the other hand, include the Meranao epic called darangen, salsila or the Meranao genealogy, folktales, tothol, bayok or songs, and medicinal documents or mga bolong. These manuscripts are strictly guarded by their owners and their families. One can easily borrow a large amount of money or an expensive gold item, but not an important manuscript. Thus, because of the value that the Meranao attached to their manuscripts, this paper will describe the contents and characteristics of the manuscripts studied to know why these are very valuable to them.