Hello to all Steemians!

Welcome to my first post about arts ,exhibits and history.

I love History! In fact, it is one of my favorite subjects when I was growing up. I feel fascinated when I read and see articles about how people lived in the past.

Let me take you to the Museum of Three Cultures situated in the campus of Capitol University, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. It will be one of your itineraries if you happen book for a city tour here in Cagayan de Oro. An average of 500 visitors from all walks of life, visit the museum every month. Not long ago, the Miss Earth 2017 contestants were dropping by for a visit. It's my second time to visit this museum and I had the chance to take photos of selected artifacts. The last time was with Japanese visitors who were in a hurry so, I wasn't able to enjoy watching the exhibits.

Just a brief background on how the museum was established, and why it was named the "Museum of Three Cultures."

The Museum was opened to the public on May 02, 2008 by the University founder, Madame Laureana San Pedro Rosales. She was an educator and a philanthropist. During her early years, she had close acquaintances with this group of people namely the Migrant Workers, Indigenous People, and the Maranao Muslims here in Mindanao. All the artifacts and exhibits in the Museum, are lifelong collections of the founder. Some were given as donations and gifts by this 3 different groups of people as a token of their earnest gratitude to Madame Rosales's contribution in the field of Education in the Region.

Due to this vast collection which accumulated over the years, Madame Rosales decided to have it exhibited. And the plan to open a Museum began.

A painting with the founder and her husband, Engr. Sesenio S. Rosales.

An exhibit of artifacts by 3 different cultures, The Migrant Workers , The Indigenous People, and The Maranao Muslims. That's why it was named the Museum of Three Cultures.

The Migrant Workers

These are the "Bisaya" speaking Christians who migrated to this Region to find prosperity, work, and livelihood together with their families and friends. The founder itself is a Migrant worker. She hails from Bataan, Luzon. According to history, the first known settlers in the region were the Malays. Below are the exhibits...

Bark Beater - used to soften tree bark.. During the olden times, tree barks were used as medicine. The soften bark is then placed in a pot with water and boiled. The mixture is then to be given as a medicinal drink to the sick.

Chinese Porcelain tradeware ceramics from the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD).. These are treasures from the Huluga Archaelogical site.

According to historians, Butuan was bustling seaport which caters the" Balanghay"(the early wooden boats) merchants carrying merchandise from China.

Porcelain Flower Vase, Water Jugs

Porcelain Jars- used to store water or food. I can still remember my Grandmother. One day she stored some fresh raw fish, salt and garlic mixed together and stored it in one small porcelain jar. She had a collection of porcelain jars just like in the photos. After a week , we took some out and cook it fried. Also used for fermentation of wine.

"Batya"- wooden basin. Used for washing and soaking clothes or food.

"Lusong"- a small wooden mortar.. we used to mash cooked unripe banana(saba) ,grated coconut and moscovado sugar mixed together. A Filipino snack food, "Linusak"..

"Lusong ug Alho", a large wooden mortar and peastle. Used for breaking seeds or corn and even rice. It's rarely used now since we have corn and rice mills nowadays.

"Duwang"- a food container for farm hands.

"Galingan sa Gapas"- a wooden cotton grinder

"Palungan sa Baboy"- a food container for the feeding of pigs.

A Stone Mill Grinder- use to mill or grind seeds or rice. Seems like the handle for rotating the head is missing. This is how it works. The seeds are poured on the top hole and the stone head is rotated. The milled seeds will come out on the sides..

The Indigenous People

There are about 18 Tribal groups that are recognized by the government here in Mindanao. They are the Subanon, Manobo, B'laan, T'boli, Mandaya, Mansaka, Tiruray, Higaonon, Bagobo, Bukidnon, Tagakaolo, Banwaon, Dibabawon, Talaandig, Mamanua, and Manguangan They live in the mountain ranges all over Mindanao. One of the famous, are the Talaandig tribes. They are known to be world class soil painters.. Farming is the most important economic activity. They hunt and fish for their daily food supply.

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3 students from tribal groups during a festival.

Here are the exhibits:

Baskets and equipment's...

"Sinakeb"- these are woven baskets carried by women. Use to store betel nut chew.. According to a friend of mine who chews betel nut everyday,chewing one betel nut is like drinking 2 cups of strong coffee. It gives them strength and keeps them awake . Wow!

A one string instrument called the "Kuglong" and a bamboo flute "Pulala"

Wooden Arrows and Spears for hunting and for protection against tribal enemies.

An instrument for producing fire.

"Sulo" - once they have fire, they light up one of these and use them as torch.

"Bubu"- use to trap fish and eels

A headband.. usually worn by the women.

The Maranao Muslims

There are 3 Indigenous Muslim groups in Mindanao.. One of them are the Maranaos or "Lake people." They are the first inhabitants of Lake Lanao in Central Mindanao. It is considered as a tourist spot. That is before the war broke out last May 2017. They have a musical style called "Kulintang Music" a gong music using different types of brass gongs. They are skilled in wood carving, tapestry weaving, and brass making and other precious metal smithing. Modern Maranaos are adapting to the modern society, but still preserving their culture and beliefs.

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Here are the exhibits.

Posaka Maranao means Maranao Culture

A Maranao Sultan... means a spiritual ruler ,a king of a tribe.. He holds a "knob stick" which represents power and authority.

A Maranao woman...

"Tabo" - a 10ft. wooden drum. It is used for calling all the tribes people for a meeting or emergency.

"Sungkaan"- A traditonal capture and count game. Originated in Indonesia and Malaysia. The small holes will be filled with 7 pebbles each except the big ones on each sides which are the home. It needs 2 players facing each other. The objective of the game is to get as many pebbles as you can and position them in the big holes assigned to you. I've played this game when i was a child.

Brass exhibits.....

Brass ensembles of different gongs..

The Danganan Sword, owned by Sultan Malimala. It's about 300yrs. old. and about 10ft. long. Used during an enthronement ceremony of a Sultan. Of all the exhibits here, this one caught my attention..

"The Kampilan Swords" a long single edged sword. The hilt, represents a open mouth of an animal. Historians believed that the famous Datu Lapulapu of Mactan Island used a Kampilan to defeat Ferdinand Magellan at the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521.

"Bolo Knives" used for cutting purposes.

"Kris Swords" identifiable with it's wavy pattern. Used sometimes as a weapon but it is more of a spiritual object like a talisman. It is also used during ceremonies and rituals.