Yakan Indigenous Political Structure Celebrates 11th Confirmation Anniversary
COTABATO CITY (April 13, 2025) — The 11th Anniversary of the confirmation of the Yakan Indigenous Political Structure (IPS) in Basilan, held every March 6, coincides with the month-long Basilan Tennun Pakaradjaan Celebration, as mandated by a Provincial Ordinance. This year, the celebration took place during the holy month of Ramadan, a sacred period for Muslims.
MIPA said, in honor of this event, the Regional Office of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MIPA), led by Program and Operation Chief Division head Ms. Rosan Imperial, sponsored the anniversary celebration.
On March 18, 2025, Hon. Datu Ansar Y. Gadja, the Provincial Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Basilan and a member of the Sama Bangingi Tribe, distributed goods including sacks of rice and groceries to various Indigenous Peoples in Basilan. Following this distribution, a Tribal Festival was celebrated on April 9, 2025, at Barangay Sunrise in Isabela City, Basilan.
It added that the festival attracted approximately 100 leaders and representatives from different Indigenous Peoples groups in Basilan, who wore vibrant tribal attire showcasing their unique cultures. Participants enjoyed sharing and savoring delicious dishes, fostering joyful conversations throughout the event.
Overall, the celebration highlighted a commitment to the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) of the region. Despite the diversity within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the event emphasized the importance of unity, collaboration, and inclusivity. The preservation of cultures and traditions must be celebrated, particularly to empower the younger generation. (Tu Alid Alfonso, BMN/Bangsamoro Today)
