Indigenous Communities

A pre-nuptial dance native to the Yakan people found in the Sulu Archipelago. Considered one of the 13 Moro groups in the Philippines, the Yakan people mainly reside on Basilan Island.

This dance is performed by the bride and groom prior to their wedding ceremony, as a presentation of their union to the community. The couple adorn their faces with geometric dots and dashes made from a rice flour paste. This is done to hide their true identities from bad spirits who may try to taint the marriage.

Named after the traditional outrigger boat, vinta is a dance meant to tell the story of a royal couple's migration to the Philippines through the Sulu Sea. Soloists will carefully balance atop moving bamboo poles, meant to represent the movement of the boat on water.

Also called panglay ha pattong, vinta's  story hails from the Sama-Bajau people, whose presence is scattered among coastal areas and islands in the Sulu Se, as well as northern Philippines.