TARAKA A GAPA O BALINDONG

Datu Ontay sa Marogong

Taraka is the Capital of the Pangampong a Masiu. The Principal sit of power of the Sultan of Masiu is maintain by the royal houses Torogan of Maruhom Rahmatullah and Maruhom Dialaloden on the Banks of the Taraka River, These royal houses have the exclusive right to assume alternately, the title of thrones of Sultan of Masiu and Kabugatan of Masiu as had been vested upon their family lines by the great Ancestor SARIKRAN "BALINDONG", Datu Sarikala was enthrone as first and only Sultan Samporna of Taraka a Balindong bsar of Pangampong a Masiu a Diagaborolla sa Ranao, he was the original founder of Masiu Sultanate.

TARAKA got its name in perpetuation and in memory of a noble industrious strong man who lead the crusade of digging a big canal to let water upstream flow – traversing the area for the purpose of irrigating the vast land. The man had cleared and cultivated the land. He also provided water for his people to drink with and for their daily use.

Local history revealed that long before the advent of Islam in Mindanao, these areas were covered by big trees and other wild plants. It was also known with rich stories of fairy tales and myths.

During the introduction of Islam, in the province of Lanao del Sur, BAB-UL-RAHMAN (Gate of Mercy) Mosque was constructed in this municipality and became the first mosque erected in the provinces of Lanao and the second mosque built in the Philippines which gave and enlightened Islamic education and religion in the province.

Another peculiar quality of the Municipality of Taraka is that the Royal title known as Sultan sa Masiu can only be confirmed in this Municipality and if confirmed in other places other than in the Municipality of Taraka is deemed as baseless without royal recognition.

During the commonwealth period under the district administration of the Americans, the late Sultan sa Masiu Ambor Radianggaus was the first appointed Mayor of Taraka, succeeded by Ina Ama Diangca, Gagil Maruhom, Kunug Bano, Sultan sa Dilabayan Banocag Guilla and Sultan Sumpingan Macasalong.

The legal creation of the Municipality of Taraka as a separate, distinct and independent Local Government Unit is by virtue of Executive Order No. 21 date June 25, 1963.

After its legal existence, the first elected Mayor of the Municipality of Taraka was the late Sultan Sumpingan Macasalong who was succeeded by Macapanton Ambor, Mariga Dirampatun, Lumna Mangata Mautante, Magdara Macapasir, Ambung Ambor, Sarip-Ali Mambuay Ambor and in the year 2004, a young and energetic attorney in the name of Atty. Amenodin U. Sumagayan broke the chain of political control and won the election to become the first Mayor-Attorney of Taraka and he graduated as a third termer mayor elected in National and Local Elections. And in the year 2013 local elections, his wife Prof. Nashiba Areefah Gandamra-Sumagayan is the newly elected mayor of the said municipality.

Historical Sites

BAAB UR-RAHMAN MASJID; Baab Ur-Rahman is the oldest Masjid in Lanao. It was built at Maruhom Jalalodin in Gapa-o Balindong, Taraka. This implies that the first Muslim converts were the residents of Taraka. The masjid is an important indicator of conversion, without which being Muslim would only be nominal as happens among maritime nomads like some of the Badjaos. It is only in Taraka where every agama has a masjid that signifies a Muslim community. The agama is the basic unit of community, inged is composed of several agamas, soko is composed of severalingeds, and pangampong is composed of severalsokos.

Originally, there were only two agamas in Taraka, each named after the founding ancestors, the sons of Nggur; Loksadato and Balindong. Loksadato, was older, whose real name was Radia Amaga, and Balindong was younger, whose real name was Radia Sarikran. The residents of the agama are descended from its founder. For example, Moriatao Loksadato is the agama of the descendants of the Loksadato (old dato). There are now fifty-seven agamas in Taraka, the most in Lanao. The founder of the agama exercised authority in the community. Although the same social structure exists in all the pengampongs, it is in Taraka where its elaboration, according to Islamic precepts exists: every agama has a Masjid. The correspondence between agama and Masjid indicates that Islam is most deeply rooted in Taraka.

THE DIBAROSAN; Taraka still has the Dibarosan. The Dibarosan is a stone head for purposes of meeting the death penalty on condemned criminals. An individual was judged and punished for transgressions of Islamic precepts on murder, adultery, and other grave offences. The punishment was public to instil in the minds of Maranao Muslims the moral of the act and its exigency. Capital punishment is told in commonplace stories and folktales, usually relating to infidelity. While it may be said that there could have beendibarosans in other settlements in Lanao, it is only in Taraka where a proof of death penalty and public punishment still exist. The Dibarosan, therefore, has become a symbol of discipline. The Dibarosan stands on a ground next to Taraka River, between Torogan and Maidana at Maruhom Jalalodin in Gapa-o Balindong, Taraka, Lanao Del Sur.

ABDAN / GUSI, Inside Samporna House in Salamatollah, Gapa-o Balindong, are three huge stone wares of Chinese manufactured called “gusi/abdans.” Since Taraka does not lie in the van of trade like Malabang, Ganassi, or Marawi, the accumulation of these jars attests to the affluence of Taraka as an important trade terminus in the basak area. It is said that there used to be four such gusis. One day, some young ladies played hide and seek, and one of them hid on one of the jars. As soon as she was inside, the gusi closed and rolled down to Taraka River, and this was the last that was heard about her.

The past and present become Honorable Mayor of Municipality of Taraka lanao Del Sur.

1.       Datu Dianka Lumabao (appointed)

2.       Datu Kunug Banu (appointed)

3.       Datu Gagul Panggaga (appointed)

4.       Sultan Sa Masiu Sumpingan Macasalong (elected)

5.       Sultan Diagaborola Macapanton Ambor (elected)

6.       Datu Mariga Dirampatun (elected)

7.       Sultan Lumna Mangata (elected)

8.       Datu Magdara Macapasir (oic)

9.       Datu Malado Mansungayan( appointed)

10.   Datu Pangka Guro ( appointed)

11.   Datu Pacaambung Ambor (elected)

12.   Datu Sarip Mambuay Ambor (elected)

13.   Atty. Aminoden Sumagayan (elected)

14.   Madame Nashiba Comadug Sumagayan (current Mayor)

MAKAMPT A TOTHOLAN KO TARAKA 

Miaka isa alongon giakon a Dalum a Masiu na gowani na da-a basan lawasaig sangkanan engud sa aya kiatagowiron sa lawasaig eg nasokon manga datu sa masiu na mitimoto siran si Abagat, nago si Madayao, nago si Kadayon, nago si Pondag nago so nem ka datu sa mimbalay siiko kapalalagaday niyan ko Amanola Aminola Maupaat nago lokes ko arkat tamparan si Barao, nago si Amiting

So gia dalum a masiu na adun a sakatao datu a kabaya iyan na kaugopan niyan so manga tao sa inguda masiu na miapeker iyan a mugop sa katagowi sa lawasaig a taraka na somiong sa raya matatampar sa maguing sii sa kalaan sa kalasan na pikalota iyan angkoto a palao ka aya pamikiraniyan na adun maka simbowang so mala eg lawasaig na pikalota pikalota iyan taman sa kiatokawan o mga datu sa masiu na pagogopan niran sa kapaka undas o lawasaig oto manaros sa gapao balindong Taman sa gioto mama na kiarotan niyan so palaw na mimb’to so palao na miudas so eg sa ronon sukaniyan miawapat nago miatay sa inikarata ginawa a tanto o mga datu masiu

na ayakon a ngaran a mama oto nasi TARAKA a sukaniyan e romiaga sa rogo sii sa Dalum a masiu gioto kiatarowa on “si taraka na romiaga sa rogo ko gapao balindong a arkat masiu taduman de lipatun o mga lalano atao sa Dalum a Masiu”

na aya mambo inibto sa Dalum a Masiu na Taraka ogaid naso manga lalano atao a mga pipia e antangan a mga ambassador ko lalag sii ko kapakamuwayan ko kapangingud nago sii ko taritib na ayadun a Dalum a Masiu naso pakatunday a taraka sii ko kapakamumuwayan niyan ko pata alam ko inguda pilumbayan a lalayonon so oray

GOGODAN SA TARAKA

Ipoon ko Pasandalan a morog na piyangaroma niyan so Potri Sandalinayang Sirig sa parapatan a delem na ama iyan so Tominaman sa Rorogong a ikawalo a miyapangaroma niyan ko Walayin sa Raguindab sa Parapatan a Delum o na mimbawata siran na so aya kisaratunon o mga oongangun ago so mga onor na tlo a datula na miyagkas so taritib na na tlo a pamitoonen ko pangampongan o Ranao na miyagkas peman so taritib na pat a panganpongan a Ranao;

·         a. Butuanun Kalinan sa Bayabao

·         b. Batara-an Kilatun sa Masiu

·         c. Dimaampao Kalinan sa Masiu

·         d. Amirogong Topaan sa Baloi

      Butuanun Kalinan na piyangaroma niyan so Anakinong dararsa “Anginonun Darasa” a aya asal a ngaran iyan na so Mindasa ko paganay a Kinisoratun non ko Salsilla na mimbawata siran na milapilapis,

·         Dimaampao Kalinan,

                Dimaampao kalinan piyangaroman niyan so Lombayoan sa Tagoloan, mimbawata siran na

·         Maka-ampao Diragun

Maka-ampao Diragun piayangaromaniyan so Potre Danggaolan a wata o Sharif Alawiya sa Tagoloan na mimbawata siran na.

·         Popawan sa Bayabao

si Popawan na piangaromaniyan si Potre Pina Along na mimbawat siran na

·         Borowasan sa Mala a Bayabao

·         Maniri Sa Lumba a Bayabao

·         Gimbolanan sa Poon a Bayabao

 Ipoon ko Borawasan sa Mala a Bayabao piangaromaniyan so Sadiada a bae sa Panalawan a inimbawat sa Sapot sa Buntong na mimbawata siran na

·         Radia Dibago sa Mala a Bayabao

So Radia Dibago na piyangaromaniyan so Potre Bae Bathola sa Baloi a wata o manangkya a wata o Bantayao a Delion, na mimbawat siran na walo katao na ayaon bo babae so Pilimbasing sa Molondo a darodopa o Sharif Manuzang a pagari o Sharif Angkaya sa Masiu,

(Walo a Magari-ari)

·         Datu Gomisa sa Marawi (Limaka tindug)

·         Datu Gomising sa Marantao (Tlo a Maruhom)

·         Datu Macadiar sa Buntong (12 Inged)

·         Datu Mayod ko Dowa Dangi Purampiay

·         Datu Domocao sa Taraka

·         Datu Mayaman sa Antanga Didagun

·         Datu Batara sa Ramain go Dutsaan

·         Potre Pilimbasing sa Molondo (num a Datu)

Ipoon ko Domocao sa Taraka married to Poter Kalisia a Olan a wata o Limbobonga (Aliga) a wata o Pati mata ko Mapunag a wata o Sharif Alawi, so Limbombongan na wata o Potre Kalandaan ago so Balabagan Boisan, begot

·         Datu Manlao

·         Maca-apun sa Taraka

Maca-apun sa Taraka married to Potre Bolawan sa Sapad, begot

·         Madayao sa Malungun

·         Kadayon sa Lomasa Boriongan

·         Abagat sa Dilabayan Pitakus Sambolawan

·         Potre Mamotre ko Sudupan o Masiu inao Pundag

·         Potre Ayawa sa Taraka inao Balindong Bsar

Potre Ayawa sa Taraka married to Sharif Angkaya sa Masiu a wata o Potre Kaizadan ago so Amaloya Thopaan sa Masiu, Begot

·         Datu Onggor

·         Abpa sa Poona Masiu amao Doron

·         Kayowa sa Taraka

So Potre Nandaopan na wata o Sharif Alioden Sulog na piyangaromao Madayao a Aloyodan sa maguindanao a wata o Sharif Kabunsuan sa Maguindanao a pagari bo Sharif Alioden sa Sulug. Mimbala-iya so magari a Sharif, na mimbawata siran na;

·         Potre Kaizadan sa Masiu

·         Potre Pazaolan sa Unayan

·         Potre Pinorot sa Iranon

So Potre Kaizadan na piyangaromao Amaloya Thopaan sa Masiu a wata o bae sa Kabuntalan ko Bayogun a moriatao Batara dikhilatun sa Masiu a isa ko pat a Datu ko phangampong a Ranao, na mimbawata siran na;

·         Sharif Angkaya sa Masiu

·         Sharif Manuzang sa Molondo

·         Dayansalong sa Binidayan-Pualas

·         Ambo sa Lumba a Bayabao

So Sharif Angkaya na piyangaroma niyan paganay so Paramata Ampayong a wata o Pazaolan ko Potre Gayo sa Maguindanao na mimbawata siran na;

·         Maupaat Barao (karoma o Bae Angkili sa Marantao)

So Sharif Angkaya na piyangaroma niyan ikadowa so Potre Maririnag a babayo Ambolotho sa Dagook ago so Lolongun sa Lumbayanague a manga wata o Taman sa Unayan ko Sanaolan, na mimbawata siran na;

·         Maupaat Amising(Amitin) sa Tamparan

·         Abpa Otowa a Dingan (amao Amtak sa Tugaya)

So Sharif Angkaya na piyangaroma niyan ika tlo so Ayawa sa Taraka a babayo Abagat a manga wata o Domocao sa tarka na mimbawata siran na;

·         Onggor

·         Kayowa

·         Abpa a Bayora

So Onggor na piyangaroma niyan paganay so Paramata Indias a wata o Embaor sa Bansayan ko Adong a bae sa Maguindanao a wata o Aroyod a wata o Amadas a Datu Tambingag sa Buayaan a Wata o Sulotan sa Maguindanao a Kaharoden Kodain ko Bae Sinai a wata o Sultan Tambingag a wata o Radja Serongan sa Buayaan ko Bae sa Tagoloan ago Sulog na mimbawata siran na;

·         Umaga a lokus a Datu sa Poona Masiu

·         Daki a Dakiran a karomao Datu Maas sa Wato

·         Amiak Ambayo sa Madalum

·         Gaongki karoma o Radia Obangkil sa Masiu

So Onggor na piyangaroma na so Sittie Adir a babae o Dima-alip sa Maguindanao ago so Dianaton sa Butig na mimbawata siran na;

·         Radia Sarikran a Balindong Busar sa Masiu a Sultan Diagaborola sa Ranao

·         Danam bae sa Lumba a Bayabao

Ipoon ko Umaga a lokus a datu na piyangaroma niyan so Doron a babae o Sharif Bangkaya sa Dutsaan a manga wata o Danding sa Maguindanao ago so Ulok sa Dutsaan-Ramain, so Danding na wata o Sultan Dondang sa Maguindanao na mimbawata siran na;

·         Kundaolan a karomao Maruhom Dialaloden a wata o Balindong Bsar sa Masiu

·         Amini sa Poona Bayabao

·         Bayo

·         More (madak‘l p‘n)