The Sultans of Kulaman

More often than not, whenever it is mentioned that the Dulangan Manobo have a sultan, eyebrows are raised. In Mindanao, the title sultan is normally associated with Muslim tribes with a large population, a wide territory, and considerable wealth, such as the Maranaos, the Maguinadanaoans, and the Tausugs in Sulu. In contrast, the Dulangan Manobo is an obscure tribe. They have not been converted to Islam, and for hundreds of years, they have been confined to just one mountainous part of the Cotabato empire.

However, there is enough evidence that the highest-ranking leader of the Dulangan Manobo have been using the title for several generations. The Manobo sultan may not be as well-known and wealthy as his Muslim peers, but he wields considerable power in his community. Kulaman is the most famous of all Manobo sultans. He is believed to have lived in the seventeenth century, and named after him are the following:

• A river used to be called Matiao, where he died in a flood
• The central village of the municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino
• The municipality of Kalamansig, which means “Kulaman in the river”
• The Kulaman Plateau, at the heart of which is the Kulaman River

Sultan is Islamic in origin, so it is not surprising if the Manobo copied the title from the Islamized tribes of Mindanao. Marcelino Maceda, an anthropologist from Cebu, stated in a 1964 article in Anthropos magazine, “The titles given to [Manobo sultans] have been borrowed from the Muslims. It may be also mentioned that the present sultan of Kulaman claimed that his position was granted to him by a Muslim ruler from the south.”

Maceda further explained in the footnote: “Informants and Sultan Kalulong Dakyas himself of Kulaman say that the Muslim ruler referred to is Datu de Patuan of Craan, Cotabato.”

More research has to be done on the title. Based on the tradition of many tribes and countries, the first titleholder usually assumes the title or it is bestowed on him by a higher authority, and then he passes it on to his descendants. The claim of Sultan Kalulong Dakyas makes him appear to be the very first sultan. However, Dakyas was probably interviewed in 1960s, and Kulaman, as mentioned, is believed to have reigned in the 1600s.

A local history document, the content of which appears to have been copied in a website on local products, has the genealogy of the sultans of Kulaman. The document states that the following succeeded Kulaman: Sultan Jani, Sultan Ugis, Sultan Tilok, Sultan Kallon, and Sultan Dakias. It also states that Sultan Tagenek Dakias is the first Manobo elected as a councilor in the municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino.

Note that the information from Maceda and the local history do not match. Maybe Sultan Kalulong Dakyas and Sultan Kallon are the same person, and his son and successor is Sultan Tagenek Dakyas. Being far away from my hometown, and with sources limited to Internet-based, it's difficult for me to ascertain some facts. But at least I'm making progress. Till next post.