Original Places of the Tausugs

The Tausug are an ethnic group of the Philippines and Malaysia. A small population can also be found in
the northern part of North Kalimantan, Indonesia. The Tausug are part of the wider political identity
of Muslim Filipinos of western Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago, and southern Palawan, collectively
referred to as the Moro people.

The Tausugs originally had an independent state known as the Sultanate of Sulu, which once exercised
sovereignty over the present day provinces of Basilan, Palawan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga City, North
Kalimantan and the eastern part of the Malaysian state of Sabah (formerly North Borneo). They are also
known in the Malay language as Suluk.

ETYMOLOGY

"Tausug" (Tausug: Tau Sūg) means "the people of the current", from the word tau which means "man"
or "people" and sug (alternatively spelled sulug) which means "[sea] currents".The term Tausug was
derived from two words tau and sūg meaning "people of the current", referring to their homelands in
the Sulu Archipelago.

HISTORY

PRE-ISLAMIC ERA

During the 13th century the Tausug people began migrating to present-day Zamboanga and the Sulu
archipelago from their homelands in northeastern Mindanao. Scott (1994) mentions the origins of the
Tausugs as being the descendants of ancient Butuanons and Surigaonons from the Rajahnate of Butuan,
who moved south and established a spice trading port in pre-Islamic Sulu.

The Butuanon-Surigaonon origins of the Tausugs is suggested by the relationship of their languages, as
the Butuanon, Surigaonon and Tausug languages are all grouped under the Southern sub-family of
Visayan. Prior to the establishment of the sultanate, the Tausug lived in communities called a banwa.
Each banwa is headed by a leader known as a panglima along with a shaman called a mangungubat.

The panglima is usually a man with a strong political and physical leadership among the community
folks. Each banwa is considered as an independent state, the same with the city-states of other regions
in Asia. The Tausug during the era had trade relations with other neighboring Tausug banwas, the Yakan
of Basilan, and the nomadic Sama Bajau.

SULTANATE ERA

Sayyid Abubakar became sultan, thereby introducing the sultanate as a political system (the Sultanate of
Sulu). Political districts were created in Parang, Pansul, Lati, Gitung, and Luuk, each headed by a
panglima or a district leader. The political system of the sultanate was patrilineal. The sultan was the
sole sovereign of the sultanate, followed by various maharajah and rajah-titled subdivisional princes.
Further down the line were the numerous panglima local chiefs.

• Battles and skirmishes were waged intermittently from 1578 till 1898 between the Spanish
colonial government and the Moros of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.
 • In 1578, an expedition sent by Governor Francisco de Sande and headed by Captain Rodriguez
de Figueroa began the 300-year conflict between the Tausūgs and the Spanish authorities.

• In 1579, the Spanish government gave de Figueroa the sole right to colonize Mindanao. In
retaliation, the Moro raided Visayan towns in Panay, Negros, and Cebu, for they knew the
Spanish conscripted foot soldiers from these areas.

• In the early 17th century, the largest alliance, comprising Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, and
other Moro and Lumad groups, was formed by Sultan Kudarat or Cachil Corralat of
Maguindanao, ruler of domains extending from Davao Gulf to Dapitan on the Zamboanga
Peninsula.

• In 1637, Governor General Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera personally led an expedition against
Kudarat, and temporarily triumphed over his forces at Lamitan and Iliana Bay. On 1 January
1638, Hurtado de Corcuera, with 80 vessels and 2000 soldiers, defeated the Moro Tausūg and
occupied Jolo, mainly staying inside captured Cottas.

• A peace treaty was forged, but Spanish sovereignty over Sulu still had not been firmly
established; the Tausūg abrogated the treaty in 1646 soon after the Spaniards occupiers
departed. It wasn't until 1705 that the sultanate renounced to Spain any sovereignty it had
previously asserted over south Palawan, and in 1762 it similarly relinquished its claims
over Basilan. During the last quarter of the 19th century the sultanate formally recognized
Spanish sovereignty, but these areas remained partially controlled by the Spanish, with their
sovereignty limited to military stations, garrisons, and pockets of civilian settlements in
Zamboanga and Cotabato (the latter under the sultanate of Maguindanao). Eventually, as a
consequence of their defeat in the Spanish–American War, the Spanish had to abandon the
region entirely.

Occupation

FISHING

Fishing has been a central part of the Tausug way of life for generations. They are skilled fishermen,
using various techniques such as net fishing, spearfishing, and the use of traps to catch fish and other
seafood.

SEAFARING

Tausug people have a long history of seafaring. They are known for their expertise in building and
navigating traditional boats, such as the vinta, which are used for transportation, trade, and fishing.

AGRICULTURE

In addition to their maritime activities, many Tausug communities engage in agriculture. They cultivate
crops such as rice, coconut, and various fruits and vegetables on the islands where they live.

TRADE AND COMMERCE

Tausug communities have historically been involved in trade and commerce, both locally and with
neighboring regions. They often participate in barter and trading activities.
LIVESTOCK FARMING

Some Tausug families raise livestock, including chickens, goats, and water buffalo (carabao), for food
and other resources.

HANDICRAFTS

Tausug artisans are known for their skills in crafting various items, including traditional weapons like the
kris (a type of sword), intricate jewelry, and woven textiles.

ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

The majority of Tausug people are Muslims, and many are involved in Islamic religious activities,
including religious leadership roles, Quranic studies, and participation in religious ceremonies.

MILITARY SERVICE

Historically, Tausug warriors were known for their courage and were often recruited into the armed
forces of various regional powers in the Philippines. Some Tausug individuals have served in the
Philippine military.