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I. INTRODUCTION

BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Filipino is basically of Malay stock with a sprinkling of Chinese, American, Spanish and Arab blood. The Philippines has a population of 70 million, and it is hard to distinguish accurately the lines between stocks. From a long history of Western colonial rule, interspersed with the visits of merchants and traders, evolved a people of a unique blend of east and west, both in appearance and culture.

The Filipino character is actually a little bit of all the cultures put together. The bayanihan or spirit of kinship and camaraderie that Filipinos are famous for is said to be taken from Malay forefathers. The close family relations are said to have been inherited from the Chinese. The piousness comes from the Spaniards who introduced Christianity in the 16th century. Hospitality is a common denominator in the Filipino character and this is what distinguishes the Filipino. Filipinos are probably one of the few, if not the only, English-proficient Oriental people today. Pilipino is the official national language, with English considered as the country's unofficial one.

The Filipinos are divided geographically and culturally into regions, and each regional group is recognizable by distinct traits and dialects - the sturdy and frugal llocanos of the north, the industrious Tagalogs of the central plains, the carefree Visayans from the central islands and the colourful tribesmen and religious Moslems of Mindanao. Tribal communities can be found scattered across the archipelago. The Philippines has more than 111 dialects spoken, owing to the subdivisions of these basic regional and cultural groups.

Some 80 percent of the population is Catholic, Spain's lasting legacy. About 15 percent is Moslem and these people can be found basically in Mindanao. The rest of the population is made up mostly of smaller Christian denominations and Buddhist.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

After man has ensured his safety and survival, the next most important thing for him is a sense of identity. Be it personal or social, a human being needs to be recognized and be able to relate to other human beings. This is where his ethnicity comes into play. Ethnicity is an aspect by which a man identifies with his ethnic group with which he shares cultural, religious, linguistic, behavioral and biological features. An individual's ethnicity ensures a place within his ethnic group, and in turn gives him recognition in the eyes of the world around. The Republic of Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands in the Western Pacific Ocean. It has an area of around 11,5830 square miles with a population more than 92 million according to the most recent statistics. The people of this nation are known as Filipinos. The population of this country comprises a large number of various ethnic groups.

There are more than 40 different ethnic groups in the Philippines. Each group has a distinct culture and language. Several of these ethnic groups can be distinguished as "tribal groups". They are 'indigenous groups' who still live in a rather traditional way. Each group lives in a specific region on one of the islands. You can meet them in parts of Luzon, on some of the Visayas islands and on Mindanao.

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PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The Philippines is one of the most diverse countries in terms of ethnicity.

In Mindanao, there are several ethnic groups of similar ancestry, but whose religion is Islam, and whose culture is not as “Western culture/Westernized” on the surface as that of the Christian Filipinos. They are collectively called Moros. There are also various tribal groups throughout the Philippine archipelago who are generally neither Muslim nor Christian, and are least influenced by Islamic or western cultures. There also exist groups whose members are not concentrated in one specific region but who are spread throughout the country, particularly in major cities as well as in areas having considerable agricultural importance during the colonial period; these groups include the Chinese and the Spanish, the majority of whom are mestizos.

The research intent is to gain insightful information about the historical and cultural understanding of a certain indigenous group in the Philippines, the Yakan. The purpose is to correlate the indigenous architecture to a contemporary Bed and Breakfast with the acquired learning.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS

The study covers the history and culture of the Yakan tribe, including beliefs, ceremonies, arts and crafts, language, religion, and traditions. The study also covers the topography and climate of Basilan, island home of Yakan. It also covers the architecture of Yakan tribe.

The researcher limited this study to the Yakan tribe in the Basilan Island only, a part of the Sulu archipelago.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

For clearer understanding of the terms used in this study, below are their meanings:

Yakan – mountain dweller tribe in Mindanao Moros – from Moors, meaning Muslim Surga and Narka – heaven and hell Jinn - spirits Mang-Upa – betel nut chewing ritual Langgal – Muslim centre of religious practice Seputangan - most intricate design worn by the women around their waist or as a head cloth Lumah – Yakan traditional house Tandiwan – window

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I. PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Geographic Location

The southern Philippines was part of an ancient trading network which, over time, expanded from regional to global. This made the area appealing to many outside powers. In the 14th century, Arab Muslim traders were the first to introduce Islam to the inhabitants of the southern Philippines. Residing in an expansive archipelago of some

7,107 islands, the Yakan were one of many isolated tribes that attracted proselytizing foreigners. Islam provided a form of spiritual resistance to Christian colonization after the Spanish secured control of the northern Philippine islands in the 16th century. The Spanish referred to the Muslims as the Moors, later called Moros because they shared the same religion as people of Berber and Arab descent who had once colonized Spain. The Moros regarded European imperialism as an assault on the sanctity of Islam and not without cause—the Spanish had a missionary agenda in addition to furthering their economic interests. The Spanish would fight the Moros for 300 years in an effort to exploit natural resources and gain control over the shipping lanes connecting Southeast Asia to the world.

Topography and Climate

Basilan Island, home of the Yakan tribe, is part of the Sulu Archipelago, which extends from Mindanao and is comprised of volcanic and coral islands. It is bordered on the west by the Sulu Sea and North Borneo, on the south by the rest of the Sulu Archipelago (of which Jolo Island is the most important), and to the northeast by the large island of Mindanao with the city of Zamboanga to its immediate north.

The island has a mountainous terrain once covered with thick forests. There are three main waterfalls, which provide waterpower: Kumalarang Falls, Busay Falls, and Bulingan Waterfalls. However, this small island has not been spared the ravages of environmental abuse. Basilan at present suffers from water shortage because of unabated illegal logging, which according to statistics destroys Basilan's forest reserves at the rate of 2,000 ha annually. Forest denudation has reduced by over half the water overflow from its watersheds, caused heavy siltation, and dried up the two main rivers, Busay and Aguada.

The island’s undulating terrain becomes steeper as one move inland from the coast. Densely forested uplands provide ground cover for a series of volcanic peaks exceeding heights of 2,000 ft (600 m).5 Short streams act as the source of drainage, and mangrove forests exist at lower elevations. Rolling slopes and valleys contain rich soils which, along with steady rainfall, provide favourable conditions for the cultivation of rice, coconut, and rubber. Located well below the devastating typhoon belt, seasonal differences in temperature are minimal. Rainfall averages 1,100 mm (43 in) while mean annual temperature is 26–27 °C (79–81 °F).

History

Origins of YakanThe origins of the Yakan people are a matter of some debate. While some believe they are descendants of people who migrated from present-day Papua New Guinea, the Yakan believe their descent stems from people who lived in Borneo and Malaysia. It is certainly understandable that they would prefer to trace their ancestry to peoples that were early converts to Islam rather than the non-Muslim Papuan tribes. Physical resemblance tendsto strengthen this claim. Most Yakan have straight black hair and the slight build associated with the Malay rather than the more Negroid features of the Papuans. The name Yakan is derived from a misunderstanding; the Spanish thought the name of an island tree, the Yakal, referred to the island’s inhabitants.

The Yakan have Malay features. They are small of frame, with brown skin, slanting eyes and black hair - characteristics similar to the Dyak of North Borneo, leading to speculation that they originated from this race.

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They speak a language known as Bahasa Yakan, which is a variation of the Samal Sinama or Siama and the Tausug languages. It is written in the Malayan Arabic script, with adaptations to sounds not present in Arabic.

ReligionThe Yakan are primarily Muslim. Islam was introduced to inhabitants of the southern Philippines in the 13th century by Arab traders and Muslim missionaries from Sumatra and other parts of Southeast Asia. Rather thandisplacing the local belief system, Islam was absorbed into it. It addressed the spiritual needs of the Yakan, whose daily life was regulated by taboos that, if not properly observed, threatened to become a source oftrouble.

Prior to the introduction of Islam, animism was perpetuated by oral tradition. Children were taught to avoid playing in places such as clumps of trees and caves where spirits bent on doing them harm were presumed to lurk. People learned about the spirit world in order to avoid crossing paths with troublesome spirits. Islam augmented the traditional belief system by providing a clearer picture of an invisible separate universe. The newreligion made inroads because it was scripturally based, formal, and claimed universal application.

According to the Quran, Allah fashioned angels from light and then made jinn (spirits) from smokeless fire before creating man from clay. Jinn disappointed Allah by engaging in such conduct as ascending to the highest vaults of the sky to monitor the activities of angels. Despite his displeasure, Allah did not destroy them. Like man, jinn were willed into existence to worship Allah. They were preserved to unite the seen (people) and unseen (jinn) to keep the cosmic forces of the earth aligned.

Islam rendered the Yakan sensitive to cosmic alignment in their daily lives. One’s personal orientation toward Mecca during salat (prayer), the positioning of a new home during construction, and even the placement of a coffin in the ground are taken very seriously. The Yakan also believe Islamic utterances and rituals offer protection from the unknown. Thus, Arabic words serve as a type of divine blessing (barakah) used to shieldbabies from danger as well as to prevent jinn from wreaking havoc on a family. Holy water55 and amulets are believed to provide further protection. Jinn can take on any physical form they like.56 Thus, they can appear as animals, trees, and even humans, which enables them to take possession of a person. White jinn are considered benign and the effects may not be noticeable. By contrast, black jinn are to be feared. Whensomeone exhibits signs of mental illness, it is taken as evidence of spiritual possession by Iblis (Satan), or the most feared black jinn. Possession by any black jinn may lead to death. The only cure is for an imam (spiritual leader) to exorcise the person. Seeking Western medical treatment is considered ineffective.

In one less serious case, an ethnographer interviewed a Yakan woman who believed she had received a wedding invitation from a jinn.58 Regardless of the jinn’s initial motivation, responding in the wrong way could offend the jinn and cause it to seek revenge on her family. Thus, she sought expert counsel on how to respond.

Culture

TraditionsThe Yakan are farmers for whom both vocal and instrumental music is an important part of both the agricultural cycle and social interaction. Yakaninstruments are made out of wood, bamboo, and metal. The gabbang is one such instrument. It is made of bamboo sectioned into pieces of diminishing size and arranged like a xylophone. Around the fields, the farmers’ children play the gabbang in order to guard the crops from encroaching animals.64 Another instrument of the gabbang family, the kwintangan kayu, is like a xylophone hung vertically from a tree branch with bamboo slats that taper down to the shortest at its base. During planting season, an open platformis built high up in a tree where a musician will play as the rice crop matures. The sounds of the kwintangan kayu serenade the seedlings, just as a Yakan lover uses music to woo the object of his affections. “Its resonance is believed to gently caress the plants, rousing them from their deep sleep, encouraging them to grow and yield more fruit.”

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There are several types of Yakan vocal music. Lugu are melodies that accompany oral readings of the Quran. Kelangan are one of several varieties of courting songs sung at gatherings by soloists and male and female groups who sing back and forth. The katakata is publicly sung Yakan oral history. Rooted in the animist tradition, the Yakan believe that such stories of their ancestry come from beings who originated in otherworldly realms.

Yakan women are renowned for their beautiful weaving, which is literally an intrinsic part of the social fabric. Vivid geometric designs embedded in brightly colored garments give the impression the item has been embroidered. Woven products figure prominently in rites and rituals. Particular items form part of a bride’s trousseau and may cover apregnant woman in labor to protect her child from evil spirits.

LanguageThe Yakan language is written in Malay Arabic script and native words have been adapted into the alphabet. However, it is difficult for Arabic speakers to read the Yakan script—the syllables are frequently disconnected and some letters are formed differently. The structure and syntax reveal strong Malay-Indonesian influences, particularly Javanese, which probably occurred prior to the introduction of Islam.37 Very few Yakan are literate intheir written language or any language. Though Basilan Island is home to settlers from groups with high literacy rates, it has one of the lowest provincial averages in the Philippines. Only 69.4% of Basilans are literate, as opposed to a national average of 92.6%.38 Moreover, schooling increases the likelihood of Yakan moving far from their native home.

Honor and ValuesPredominantly Muslim, the Yakan view the world (dunya) as comprised of believers and non-believers. Darul Islam and Darul Harb represent the world of adherents to Islam and that of the disbelievers (kafir) or infidels, respectively. This obligates Yakan, in theory, to engage in holy war (jihad) against non-believers.

Declaring war on non-believers, however, has been less a source of conflict than tit for tat revenge killings among the Yakan. This is how clan conflicts, known as rido in Tagalog and kontara in Yakan, traditionally escalate. A number of factors explain the high incidence of such conflicts.69 Victims need to exact physical reparation for the damage inflicted on the family’s honor.70 Lone survivors may resort to what is known as magsabil in Yakan,killing anybody in their path and, in the process, exposing themselves to violent death.

Harm done to one member of the community is considered an assault on the autonomy and safety of the group itself. Thus, males are socialized to protect and defend not only themselves and their own families, but the entire clan as a matter of reciprocal obligation. A Yakan man will put his own life on the line for a family member, no matter how distant a relative, so that when his life is in danger he can be assured the clan will rally tohis defense.

ArtThe Yakan have various musical instruments, most of them percussive, but also flutes and Jew's harps. Percussion instruments are mostly played on certain important life-cycle occasions such as weddings. One special instrument is played while the rice is growing to make it happy so that it will give a good harvest. Dancing is restricted to a war dance performed at weddings. Visual arts are nonexistent.

The Yakan Village in Upper Calarian is famous among local and foreign tourists because of their art of weaving. Traditionally, they have used plants like pineapple and abaca converted into fibers as basic material for weaving. Using herbal extracts from leaves, roots and barks, the Yakans dyed the fibers and produced colorful combinations and intricate designs.

The seputangan is the most intricate design worn by the women around their waist or as a head cloth. The palipattang is patterned after the color of the rainbow while the bunga-sama, after the python. Almost every Yakan fabric can be described as unique since the finished materials are not exactly identical. Differences may be seen in the pattern or in the design or in the distribution of colors.

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MedicineTo cure sickness the imam will pray. Sometimes he may also apply roots and herbs, although that method is more typical of the tabib. The bahasa will summon spirits to help him.

Death and AfterlifeThe funeral must take place within twenty-four hours after death. The body is placed in the grave on its right side, facing Mecca. After the grave has been filled the imam reads a prayer that teaches the deceased to utter the right words on its way to the Judgment. The spirit is supposed to stay in the home of the deceased person for seven days, during which a prayer is said in the house each evening. After the seven days the spirit begins the journey to the next world, which takes 100 days. On the way the spirit passes certain places, and each time the spirit reaches one of these places a prayer is said in the house. Part of the way to the next world crosses a sea. To help the spirit get across, a goat is sacrificed. The last and biggest ceremony is performed on the hundredth day, when the spirit reaches its destination. The grave is finally arranged, and a grave marker is placed on top of it. This grave marker symbolizes a boat that is intended not for the passage across the sea but for the spirit's use in the next world. In very recent times these cycle-of-death ceremonies have been shortened. In some places there are no longer any rituals after the burial. Recently Muslim missionaries have worked among the Yakan, teaching a more orthodox Islam and trying to do away with the many non-Islamic elements of Yakan religion. In some areas they have been successful, but older people especially prefer the old ways.

ARCHITECTURE

By tradition, the Yakan live in houses scattered among their fields, or clustered around the langgal, a mosque made of the same material as the dwellings. The houses are individually owned, occupied by one family.

The Yakan house, called lumah, is a rectangular, ridge-roofed, single room, pile structure of varying size and elevation from the ground. It has a floor area ranging from fifty to a hundred square meters. The steep pitch roof (sapiaw) is concave and is thatched with either cogon or nipa. Lately, the more durable galvanized iron sheets have been used, although they have proven to be visually and functionally incongruent, since the traditional Yakan house has no ceiling and few or no windows because of a belief that bad spirits could easily come in through these openings. Thus, there is often only one tandiwan or window, located at the front side of the house; beside this is a long bench for guests. Another tandiwan, however, maybe appended on the end wall opposite the kitchen or cooking shed.

The Yakan dwelling is largely made of bamboo, thatched, with some parts woven, fitted, or tied together the way a basket is made. While posts, beams, and joints are assembled, the roof is put together separately and later fitted on top like the lid of a basket. The pugaan (bamboo floor slates) are set slightly apart, similar to the bottom of a basket, for better ventilation.

Walls are made of either the horizontally positioned wooden planks or the air-penetrable sawali (plaited bamboo or reeds). For the floor, the material of choice is either split bamboo poles (with the convex sides upwards) or timber for the main room. For the kitchen, the floor is usually made of bamboo, used for practical reasons since waste can easily be thrown through its gaps. Even the kitchen walls are plaited so that smoke can easily escape. If a wooden floor is used for the main house, a small piece of bamboo is inserted, or a hole is punctured onto the floor for spitting chewed betel nut.

The lumah has three parts: the kokan or tindakan (main house), the kosina (kitchen), and the pantan or simpey (porch). Territorial spaces in the structures are achieved by placing a 0.25m x 0.25m patung (wooden flitch) at the middle of the one-room structure. The patung separates the kokan (sleeping area) from the tindakan (multi-purpose living room), which serves as a place for entertaining intimate guests, weaving, dining as well as for the holding of a magtimbang (ritual). The tindakan is also the setting for weddings, wakes, death anniversaries, and other commemorations. Access to the main house is through a harren (a retractable bamboo/timber ladder), then through the simpey/pantan (the porch where clothes are hung and dried, long bamboo water containers are stored, and where most visitors are entertained); and finally through the gawang, a sliding main door.

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If the need arises and if the occasion demands, the kokan can be converted into an expanded portion of the tindakan. During the day, the kokan is the entertainment area where one can find all the sleeping paraphernalia neatly rolled, folded, and kept on the side of the wall over and under open shelves. Oftentimes, above the sleeping area is the angkap, a mezzanine for girls, which can be accessed through the harren. The kokan is also used to hide a family fugitive. In the absence of furniture, the occupants squat to eat in the living room area near the main door opening. The slatted pugaan/nibong flooring does not only provide good ventilation but also serves as a drain for leftover food and water used in washing hands before and after meals. Cats, dogs, and chicken consume whatever food residues fall underneath.

The Yakan are careful in building their stairs for the number of steps – just like the number of rooms – must be an odd number. Even numbers connote death and other ill omen while odd numbers, to the, mean life. The Rites of Pilgrimage says that “God has 99, or a 100 minus one, excellent names and he who learns them by heart will be given access to Paradise because God is One and He likes odd numbers.”

And the door of the house must face the east to embrace the morning sun and take in its promise of live and all of God’s new blessings.

When visiting a Yakan house you go up on a bamboo ladder or notched pole onto the porch and into the living room where, if you will not come upon some woman weaving cloth with one end of the loom fastened to the wall and the other end-cord wound around her waist, you will see a long wooden or bamboo box for storing palay and used as a bench for visitors to sit on, chests for keeping clothes, brass metal containers, brass food trays, bronze boxes for betel and, of course, the mats. The Yakan cultivate kapok which they stuff into pillows and mattresses that they roll out at night or also offer to visitors to sit on at parties and gatherings.

There are basically two doors in a Yakan house: a main sliding door and a service sliding door that leads to the bridged kitchen. Small slit openings or a window, tendewan, at eye-level height serve as lookout holes. The kosina, which is set apart from the house, is accessible through a pantan, or bridge, to avoid fire in the mainhouse, which is made of light and combustible material. A typical early Yakan house has no toilet.

A house for the Yakan has a lifespan of ten to fifteen years, after which, a new house will have to be built. Even then, usable materials from the demolished house will often be used for the construction of a new one, which is usually erected near the previous house.

BED AND BREAKFAST

A bed and breakfast (or B&B) is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments. Typically, bed and breakfasts are private homes with fewer than 10 bedrooms available for commercial use.

Generally, guests are accommodated in private bedrooms with private bathrooms, or in a suite of rooms including an en suite bathroom. Some homes have private bedrooms with a bathroom which is shared with other guests. Breakfast is served in the bedroom, a dining room, or the host's kitchen.

B&Bs and guest houses may be operated either as a secondary source of income or a primary occupation. Usually the owners themselves prepare the breakfast and clean the room etc., but some bed and breakfasts hire staff for cleaning or cooking. Although some bed and breakfast owners hire professional staff, a property which hires professional management is usually no longer considered a bed and breakfast, but enters the category of inn or hotel.[citation needed]

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Some B&Bs operate in a niche market. Floating bed and breakfasts for example are a concept originating in Seattle[citation

needed] in which a boat or houseboat offers B&B accommodation.

Key needs that must be met for people staying at bed and breakfast style accommodation include: pampering and personalised service in an attractive location in an attractive house, opposed to more 'standard' hotelrooms.

The following attributes are also appealing:

Homely or wholesome atmosphere (older segments) or luxurious/heritage surrounds Home style meals Area for conversing with other guests Ability to tap into local knowledge of attractions and activities in local area.

Guests at B&Bs were asked to identify the features and factors which motivated them to choose the establishment they were staying at. The friendliness of the host was the most important factor, followed by easy access to other places, the site being the most appealing place in the region. Usually B & B´s are privately owned, and therefor very different from standard commercial hotels.

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Bed & Breakfasts provide mutual benefits for both the visitor and the operator. Visitors have the opportunity for a relaxing break in a homely environment. Operators have the opportunity to develop a profitable business, make new friends and contacts, understand the cultures and lifestyles of others, and to educate guests about their way of life.

Income and leisure time have changed so that shorter breaks with greater choice of leisure activities are sought by travellers. Changing work patterns have increased the popularity of shorter breaks that minimize the absence from work and the effect of absences on workflow and involvement. Bed & Breakfast holidays tend to be short break holidays and could benefit from the increased popularity of short breaks, sought by people who aim for authenticity and personal service.

JOAQUIN'S B&B TAGAYTAY: A home away from home

Picture perfect views, fresh, cool air, and an exciting and ever-increasing array of sights, tastes, sounds, and experiences - the beautiful city of Tagaytay may not be as quiet and solitary as it used to be, but that doesn't mean you have to start looking elsewhere for a respite from the demands and stresses of urban life.

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Tucked cozily between the many other lodging facilities and commercial establishments that have taken advantage of Tagaytay's favorable climate and landscape, Joaquin's Bed & Breakfast may very well hold the key to the peace and tranquility you seek.

Unlike your typical hotel, Joaquin's puts as much emphasis on the heart and soul of its ambiance as it does on the creature comforts. It steers away from the clinical whites, neutrals, and minimalist designs that so are common today; sensibly adopting a laid back, rustic style that makes it look and feel right at home amidst the pine trees and morning fog.

Originally built by the owners with the intention of making it their retirement home, the young couple decided that the place was just what the "new" Tagaytay needed - consequently naming the abode after their gentle special child, Joaquin.

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The privacy of guests is obviously a priority by making available only eight suites: each one as inviting and enticing as your own ideal bedroom with oversized beds, a relaxing color palette, books, assorted knick-knacks, and weather-beaten looking furniture that provide the interiors a healthy dose of country chic. Friendly housekeepers will only come when you call.

As the property comes with a central, unobstructed view of Taal volcano, the postcard- perfect natural formation and its surroundings can be enjoyed in all rooms whether you pick one with a balcony or a charming mini garden - which, by the way, is a lovely place to have breakfast and coffee, or watch the sun set while enjoying complimentary, newly-picked tarragon leaf tea or fruits sourced from nearby farms.

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But the concept and design of the place isn't all that Joaquin's can take pride in. When it comes to food and dining, its indoor restaurant, Joyce's Diner, puts the B in Bed & Breakfast with a palatable spread of Filipino favorites that can be enjoyed any time of the day.

The menu is intentionally short and composed simply of popular dishes and home-cooked Pinoy classics that even foreign guests can appreciate. Aside from maintaining the high quality of the food being served, this utilizes and maximizes the freshness of locally available ingredients for memorable and satisfying meals. Top-notch wine and liquors are likewise available those so inclined.

While the charming, curio-dotted diner can seat 70 only people, the 600-square meter garden and 150-square meter veranda can accommodate up to 700, and with ample parking - perhaps something to consider when planning your next private or corporate function.

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In the future, the property may have a few more rooms, a spa, and maybe even an outdoor heated Jacuzzi; but at the moment, it's content simply being a haven within a haven.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

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The Yakan are probably the original inhabitants of Basilan, an island just off the southwestern point of Mindanao. They live mostly in the central and southwestern mountainous interior. Basilan has a tropical climate with a rainy season from April to October, and a dry season from November to April. There is also a small Yakan community on Sacol Island.

The Yakan make up less than half of Basilan's population. In some respects, they are culturally related to the other South Philippines Muslim groups, not merely in religious affiliation. However, they still have their own identifiable culture.

There are no major Yakan villages. Instead, the Yakan live in settlements that are based on mosque affiliation. The mosque is considered the center of the community. Yakan houses are usually scattered among the fields, and it is difficult to see where one settlement ends and the next begins. The inhabitants of a settlement may or may not be of the same clan.

Nuclear families usually live together in rectangular-shaped homes built on stilts. Homes were traditionally built with thatched roofs, but, today, corrugated iron may be used. A house usually has only one large room with no special quarters for the women. A kitchen adjoins the house.

The traditional Yakan house is called the lumah, which is described as a huge rectangular building with a floor area varying between 30-100 square meters, standing on high posts some 2-3 meters off the ground.

To correlate bed and breakfast to a lumah, the traditional Yakan house, it must be rectangular and rise above the ground using stilts. It must have the three main parts of a lumah: the main house, the kitchen, and the porch. These parts are on different elevations to connote differences. The kitchen is separated to the main house and connected by an open platform. The entire house is usually made of wooden planks, bamboo, and sawali for the roof. A Yakan house can also be distinguished by the steeply pitched ridge roof, sapiaw, that is concave and traditionally thatched with cogon or nipa.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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http://www.dotpcvc.gov.ph/Visitor%20Information/people.html http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Ethnic_groups_of_the_Philippines http://www.aliawanenterprises.com/id65.html http://www.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?peo3=15956&rog3=RP Religion and expressive culture - Yakan http://www.everyculture.com/East-Southeast-Asia/Yakan-Religion-and-

Expressive-Culture.html#ixzz26bRT1Mlp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakan_people http://www.univie.ac.at/Voelkerkunde/apsis/aufi/yakan/yakan.htm http://litera1no4.tripod.com/yakan_frame.html http://www.ironwulf.net/2007/10/21/zamboanga-yakan-weavers-of-basilan/ Arkitekturang Filipino by Gerard Lico Folk Architecture http://filipinoheritage.zxq.net/arts/architecture/yakan.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_and_breakfast http://www.joaquinsbedandbreakfast.com http://nlpdl.nlp.gov.ph:9000/shares/finders/CC01/NLP00VM052mcd/v1/v51.pdf

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