Meranaw people is always been known for its unique and vibrant culture. From tiniest details in every baor and agongs to the sophistication in their weaving designs and colors in langkit, Maranaw arts and crafts were able to preserved and evolved amidst the challenges and episodes of struggles that Meranaw have been through. Their traditions and cultures defines their identity and carry their stories. The crafts they have were always been their source of livelihood especially for women.
Raheemah Peace Weavers is always have this strive to preserve and promote the Maranaw arts and crafts by bridging and facilitating livelihood opportunities to the most vulnerable women and youth. Raheemah Peace Weavers believe that this is one way to empower women and youth in peacebuilding. To continue realizing that vision, Raheemah Peace Weavers initiated the development of livelihood context-based curriculum, specifically for competencies on kapangantowiras (sequins and beadworks), kapangaol (weaving), and Meranaw brass and baor making. These competencies also inculcate the teachings of Islam, its significant contributions towards achieving halal way of earning and living.
Through the assistance of Save the Children Philippine under Livelihood Restoration Program, supported by the Asian Development Bank and Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, with the collaboration of MBHTE-TESDA a signing of Memorandum of Agreement have been done on Friday, October 15, 2021 at Task Force Bangon Marawi Office.
The signing of Memorandum of Agreement was participated by the Sittie Aisha “Baicon” Cayongcat-Nuska, Chairwoman of Raheemah Peace Weavers, Edwin Horca, BARMM Team leader of Save the Children Philippines, Aleida Mangata, Provincial Director of Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE)-TESDA Lanao del Sur, Professor of Islamic Studies in Mindanao State University-Main Campus, Mayor Majul Gandamra of Marawi City, and Eduardo Del Rosario, Secretary of Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and TFBM Chairperson.
This initiative is one of the responses of Raheemah Peace Weavers in cultivating the cultural identity of Meranaw people while magnifying the livelihood component through developing this livelihood contextualized are-based curriculum.