Tausug Tribe

Question 1

What does the term ‘Tausug’ mean?

Answer 1

‘Tausug’ derives from tau, meaning ‘man,’ and sug, or ‘suluk’ meaning ‘current,’ thus translating to ‘people the current.’

Question 2

From which province does the name ‘Sulu’ originate?

Answer 2

The name ‘Sulu’ derives from sulug or sug, which means ‘ocean current’ in Tausug.

Question 3

Where do the Tausug primarily live?

Answer 3

They live primarily in the Sulu Archipelago, located in the southwest island of Mindanao.

Question 4

What are the two social groups of the Tausug based on their living environment?

Answer 4

• PARIANON - Low land-based people
• GUIMBAHANON - Upland People

Question 5

What types of settlements do the Tausug have?

Answer 5

• Interior farmers (tau gimba)
• Shore-dwellers (tau higad) along the coasts

Question 6

What are the key economic activities of the Tausug?

Answer 6

• Fishing & Maritime Trade
• Agriculture
• Weaving & Handicrafts

Question 7

What language do the Tausug speak?

Answer 7

Bahasa sug, a Malaya-Polynesian language related to the Visayan variety.

Question 8

What is the primary religion of the Tausug?

Answer 8

Islam, including the 5 Pillars of Islam, belief in Allah, and the Quran.

Question 9

What traditional practice do the Tausug believe in?

Answer 9

They believe in traditional practices involving a healer who is the medium of the spirits.

Question 10

What type of animism do the Tausug practice?

Answer 10

Animism, which includes belief in spirits dwelling in nature.

Question 11

What are some examples of Tausug arts and crafts?

Answer 11

• Sunduk (grave marker)
• Gabbang (native xylophone)
• Puhan (wooden handle of bladed weapons)

Question 12

What is the patadjung, and what are its uses?

Answer 12

The patadjung is an all-purpose skirt worn by males and females, used as:
* turung (head cover)
* sash or waistband
* blanket
* hammock and others.

Question 13

What is the Tausug house called?

Answer 13

The traditional house of the Tausug is called ‘bay sinug’.

Question 14

What does the word ‘Tausug’ mean?

Answer 14

‘Tausug’ is said to come from the words ‘tide’ and ‘higad’, meaning ‘people along the shore’.

Question 15

What is the structure of a Tausug house?

Answer 15

The Tausug house is built on stilts and connected by extensions.

Question 16

What is ‘lubing-lubing’ in the context of a Tausug house?

Answer 16

‘Lubing-lubing’ refers to the rafters of the house.

Question 17

What is a ‘tiyadtad’?

Answer 17

‘Tiyadtad’ is split bamboo used as a wall covering.

Question 18

What is the purpose of ‘hag’ in a Tausug house?

Answer 18

‘Hag’ refers to a post at the perimeter of the Tausug house.

Question 19

What is a ‘pusal’?

Answer 19

‘Pusal’ is the king post in the structure of the house.

Question 20

What are ‘kasaw’?

Answer 20

‘Kasaw’ are purlins that provide support for the roof beams.

Question 21

What is ‘ubung’?

Answer 21

‘Ubung’ refers to the tie beam in the house structure.

Question 22

What is ‘liug’?

Answer 22

‘Liug’ is the central post of the Tausug house.

Question 23

What is ‘tadjuk pasung’?

Answer 23

‘Tadjuk pasung’ is a bargeboard at the upper end of the house.

Question 24

What is the decoration style of the Tausug house?

Answer 24

The decoration is usually in the style of ‘banglad’.

Question 25

What is 'pantan'?

Answer 25

An elevated living space where fishing implements are kept.

Question 26

What does 'lawang' refer to?

Answer 26

An opening in the main house, often provided with a removable enclosing.

Question 27

What are 'dagtong'?

Answer 27

Bamboo water containers.

Question 28

What is 'naga tajuk pasung'?

Answer 28

A sea-serpent style of bargeboard-end decoration.

Question 29

What is a 'hag' in the context of a Tausug house?

Answer 29

A post at the perimeter of the Tausug house.

Question 30

What is a 'banglad'?

Answer 30

The perimeter beams above the upper end of the house.

Question 31

What is 'manuk-manuk tajuk pasung'?

Answer 31

A sarimanok (bird) style of bargeboard-end decoration.

Question 32

What are the types of roofs mentioned?

Answer 32

Sungan hipped roof, entangular, and libut-pyramidal roof.

Question 33

What is 'pang gong'?

Answer 33

A space intended to receive guests.

Question 34

What is 'gibayan'?

Answer 34

The main house that is provided for use.

Question 35

What is Vernacular Architecture?

Answer 35

A type of architecture that reflects local traditions and materials.

Question 36

What is the Bay Sinug?

Answer 36

A one-room partitionless structure of the Tausug, literally meaning 'house of the sea'. ## Footnote It stands over the sea and has nine posts corresponding to the major parts of the human body.

Question 37

What are the site characteristics considered lucky for building?

Answer 37

A flat and dry site or one that gently slopes westwards.

Question 38

What is the typical structure of the Bay Sinug?

Answer 38

A single rectangular room raised on 6 to 8 piles, surrounded by elevated porches leading to a separate kitchen.

Question 39

What are the main features of the Bay Sinug?

Answer 39

Raised structure, elevated on posts, gable roofing, and a distinct roof finial.

Question 40

What is considered a lucky site for construction?

Answer 40

A site is considered lucky if it is flat and dry or gently slopes westwards.

Question 41

What is the basic structure of a Tausug home?

Answer 41

A single rectangular room raised on 6 to 8 piles surrounded by a series of elevated porches.

Question 42

What type of architecture is represented by the Tausug home?

Answer 42

Vernacular Architecture.

Question 43

What does the center post of a Tausug home represent?

Answer 43

The center post is called the pipul (Navel).

Question 44

What do the southeast and southwest corners of the Tausug home represent?

Answer 44

They correspond to the pigi (Hip).

Question 45

What does the north post of a Tausug home represent?

Answer 45

The north post is called liug (Neck).

Question 46

What do the northeast and northwest corners of the Tausug home represent?

Answer 46

They correspond to the agata (Shoulder).

Question 47

What does the south post of a Tausug home represent?

Answer 47

The south post is called hita (Groin).

Question 48

What do the eastern and western sides of the center post represent?

Answer 48

They correspond to the gusuk (Ribs).

Question 49

What is the sungan roof style?

Answer 49

A hip roof with a triangular vent.

Question 50

What is the libut roof style?

Answer 50

A pyramidal roof with vents at the apex.

Question 51

What materials are used for roofing in Tausug homes?

Answer 51

The roof is made from sari, nipa, sago palm, or plaud (coconut palms from the marang tree).

Question 52

What supports the roof of a Tausug home?

Answer 52

All the eight non-center posts support the roof, which is given form by the ridge beam.

Question 53

What is a distinct feature of the roof in Tausug architecture?

Answer 53

The sungan roof is ventilated by a hole formed by having only two slopes meeting at the apex.

Question 54

What are common materials used in construction?

Answer 54

Lumber, bamboo planks, plywood, and split bamboo.

Question 55

What is a traditional bamboo joinery method?

Answer 55

Nipa palm fronds are sewn together and tied to bamboo roof rafters.

Question 56

What is a key feature of Tausug homes?

Answer 56

They are raised structures elevated on posts.

Question 57

What type of roofing is used in Tausug architecture?

Answer 57

Gable roofing.

Question 58

What is the tajuk pasung?

Answer 58

Finial decoration at the peak of the roof.

Question 59

What are examples of tajuk pasung decorations?

Answer 59

1. Naga tajuk pasung - Thatched serpent. 2. Manuk manuk - Stylized bird.

Question 60

What is a luhul in Tausug homes?

Answer 60

A large rectangular cloth used to catch leaves and dust, often hung in the room.

Question 61

What is the purpose of the tapestry in Tausug interiors?

Answer 61

It decorates the bilik (room) and is hanged on the ceiling or wall.