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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 8, No. 7
Publication Date: July 25, 2021
DOI:10.14738/assrj.87.10451. Butuan, O. S., Abellar, E. M., Mayasa, S. D., Blah, S. G., Fiesta, M. D., & Kasim, O. M. (2021). A Comparative Study on Maguindanaon
Traditional Marriage and Islamic Marriage System. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 8(7). 218-239.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
A Comparative Study on Maguindanaon Traditional Marriage and
Islamic Marriage System
Omar S. Butuan
Mindanao State University-Maguindanao, Dalican
Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
Elisa M. Abellar
Mindanao State University-Maguindanao, Dalican
Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
Samsiya D. Mayasa
Mindanao State University-Maguindanao, Dalican
Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
Sadat G. Blah
Mindanao State University-Maguindanao
Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
Margie D. Fiesta
Mindanao State University-Maguindanao, Dalican
Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
Osmeňa M. Kasim
Mindanao State University-Maguindanao, Dalican
Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to find out the Comparison of the Maguindanaon Traditional
Marriage and the Islamic form of Marriage. Specifically, the study seeks to find out
the Socio-demographic profile of the respondents in terms of age, sex, Marital Status
and educational attainment. The Requisites of the Maguindanaon Traditional form
of Marriage and the Requisites of Islamic forms of Marriage are identified in this
study. Also, the factors to a successful marriage in terms of Cultural / familial,
Economic, Spiritual factor and the difference between the Maguindanaon Marriage
and that of the Islamic Marriage system are the focused of this study. This study
made use of expost facto research design particularly descriptive ethnographic in
approach. This study was conducted in the thirty four barangays of municipality of
Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. The respondents of this study were individuals
who have sufficient information on Traditional Marriage of the Maguindanaon and
Islamic form of Marriage. There were 200 respondents for the entire municipality.
100 respondents are those members of the Al-Hiqma organization, and one
hundred (100) respondents were from Maguindanaon local folk who had sufficient
information about Maguindanaon traditional marriage, and used the simple
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Butuan, O. S., Abellar, E. M., Mayasa, S. D., Blah, S. G., Fiesta, M. D., & Kasim, O. M. (2021). A Comparative Study on Maguindanaon Traditional
Marriage and Islamic Marriage System. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 8(7). 218-239.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.87.10451
random sampling procedures. A survey questionnaire was used for the respondents
who can read and write and for the respondents who have no knowledge on reading
and writing used interview method. Based on the findings of the study, the beliefs
and practices of the Maguindanaon in terms of marriage were handed to them by
their forefathers through series of generations down to present. These beliefs and
practices were counted as legacies of the past that remained a living heritage of the
present generations. The Maguindanaon tradition on marriage is still primitive in
many aspects like the negotiation of third parties, imposition of dowry, man’s
servitude to his in-laws and many of the rituals of the past are still seen in the
present time. Education, both Islamic and Western have influenced the marriage
practices of some Maguindanaons in the urban society as some of their marriage
ceremony are held in hotels and restaurants. The augmentation of the materialistic
nature of maguindanaon traditional marriage has been maintained and increased
due to the devaluation of the Philippine currencies.
Key words: Comparative Study, Maguindanaon, Traditional Marriage, Islamic Marriage
System
INTRODUCTION
Marriage is the foundation of the basic institution that is the family, in any society. Marriage is
a legally and socially sanctioned union, usually between man and a woman that is regulated by
laws, rules, customs, beliefs, and attitude that prescribes the rights and duties of the partner
and accord status of their offspring. The universalities of marriage between different societies
and cultures are attributed to many basic social and personal functions for which it provides
structure such as sexual gratification and regulation, division of labor between sexes, economic
production and consumption, and satisfaction of personal needs for affection, status and
companionship. Perhaps the strongest function concern procreation is the care for children
and their education, socialization and regulations of line and descent.
In the Philippines, there are thirteen (13) Ethnical groups. Each tribe possess its Beliefs,
Traditions and practices which have long been practiced by their ancestors. Like other Filipino
Tribes, the Maguindanaon since the time of their ancestors have their own way of life, beliefs,
customs and tradition in marriage. The Maguindanaon have their own political, religious,
cultural, and social tradition even prior to the Islamization process in Maguindanao. They have
their own ways of marriage [1].
The Maguindanaons like any other ethnical groups of the Philippines have their own distinct
beliefs, customs and traditions which by adherence have endured despite the advent of Islam.
This is still adhering from day to day to their century-old customs and traditions especially in
terms of marriage. The Maguindanaon cultural practices are rich, colourful and loaded with
beliefs and tradition [2].
In Islam, there are easy requisites of marriage prescribed by shari’ah. But among the
Maguindanaon in the area, there are some traditional requisites of marriage commonly
practiced by the residents in every marriage ceremony. Because of this customs and traditions,
many problems cropped-up, and one of this problem is premarital relationship before
marriage. It is only logical that in Islam it is Allah who sets up rules to regulate the functioning
of the family whereby both spouses can find peace, love, security and intimacy. These elements
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 8, Issue 7, July-2021
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
are necessary for accomplishing the greatest purpose of marriage: the worship of Allah,
(Ibadah). Just as marriage does not merely mean having sex with your spouse, so worship does
not only mean the performance of rituals but also essentially implies right action in all
transactional behaviour. The concept of Ibadah is very wide. Every good deed, every service
to humanity, every useful productive effort, every good word, and even a Muslim couples love- making is a part of true worship of the Creation if one intends it thus. If both husband and wife
observe this main purpose, this cardinal purpose of their union will be easily learned and they
know how to help each other achieve this goal- a goal greater than and beyond themselves.
They would learn how to tolerate each other, how to overcome their difficulties and their
shortcomings and how to love one another for the sake of Allah [3].
It is with conviction and vein that the researcher would like to compare the traditional form of
marriage practiced in the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, and that of Islamic form of
marriage, in order for the young generation to be well aware on marriage system and practice
in the Maguindanaon culture and in Islam as well. The very purpose is to acquaint the young
generation with what Allah prescribed in terms of marriage as exemplified by the traditions of
Prophet Muhammad PBUH and of what is the Maguindanaon traditional form of marriage. In
this way they will be well informed on both practices.
It is the primary aim of this study to know what has long been practiced by the Maguindanaons
in connection to marriage traditions in comparison with the Islamic Marriage System.
Specifically, the study sought to find out the Comparison of the Maguindanaon Traditional
Marriage and the Islamic form of Marriage. The Socio-demographic profile of the respondents
in terms of age, sex, Marital Status and educational attainment are identified in this study. The
requisites of the Maguindanaon Traditional form of Marriage and of Islamic forms of Marriage.
Also, the factors to a successful marriage in terms of Cultural / familial, Economic and Spiritual
factors are the focused of the study the study also seeks to identify the difference between the
Maguindanaon Marriage and that of the Islamic Marriage system.
METHODOLOGY
This study made use of evaluative- cross sectional research design. It is a Comparative study on
Maguindanaon Traditional Marriage and Islamic Marriage system used ethnographic and at the
same time may be a qualitative research. The study is partly a library research work and mainly
a field research using questionnaires, interview, and recording by the use of cell phone.
The respondents of this study were individuals who have sufficient information on Traditional
Marriage of the Maguindanaon and Islamic form of Marriage. The respondent’s responses were
crosschecked or verified against other respondents so as to obtain validity of the information.
The respondents on traditional marriage were the age at 40 above whose expertise, knowledge
and wisdom on Maguindanaon Traditional form of Marriage and Islamic Marriage system.
There were 200 respondents for the entire municipality. 100 respondents are those members
of the Al-Hiqma organization. These organizations are composed of Ulama and Ustadz who
were responsible for giving Khutbah in every Masjid in the municipality. 100 respondents were
from Maguindanaon local folk who had sufficient information about Maguindanaon traditional
marriage.