Have you ever experienced Meranaos hospitality and their unique cuisine?
Meranaos are known for being hospitable and their warm hospitality is best reflected in a prestige feast called ‘Pagana Meranao’ where guests are entertained with traditional dance performances and treated to an extravagant banquet that features Meranao cuisine.
The cuisine is showcased in a native food arrangement called ‘Dulang.’ The arrangement contains traditional cuisine placed on brass food trays called ‘tabak.’ The food trays are covered with a Meranao tray cloths called ‘ampas’ and decorated heavily, following the traditional Meranao aesthetic, and with accents of gold or silver which symbolizes prestige and nobility.
Dulang is often served during special occasions such as dialaga (engagement), kawing (wedding), graduations, kapapakaradiyaan (merrymaking), enthronements, religious festivity like Eid’ul Fitr and Eid’ul Adha, and even homecomings of people who had gone to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj.
The city government of Marawi highlighted this tradition during its 76th Charter Day Anniversary which focused on enriching Meranao culture through a Dulang Festival.
The cultural celebration, which aims to cherish Meranao culture, was participated by the 96 barangays of the city, public and private schools, government agencies, and civil society organization, among others.
The city government of Marawi highlighted this tradition during its 76th Charter Day Anniversary which focused on enriching Meranao culture through a Dulang Festival.
The cultural celebration, which aims to cherish Meranao culture, was participated by the 96 barangays of the city, public and private schools, government agencies, and civil society organization, among others.
In his keynote message, City Mayor Atty. Majul Gandamra underscored the importance the celebration to enrich Meranao culture and traditions.
He said the strong ties among Meranaos which are showcased during cultural celebrations also help in building a peaceful community.
The Dulang Festival featured the most beautiful, best-tasting and artistically-arranged Meranao cuisine in Marawi.
It contains dishes with unique blend of flavors
and spices such as kuning (yellow rice), piyaparan (carp,
mudfish, chicken, shrimp meat with coconut shavings), desserts like dodol
(sticky rice in coconut milk) and browa (muffins), among others.
The Dulang is not complete without the Palapa,
a Meranao condiment made of shallots, ginger, and chili peppers simmered in
coconut oil. (SAMD/APB/PIA-10)
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