METAMORPHOSIS GIRLS
(Click on photo to return to thumbnails)
The Metamorphosis Girls perform the Kadzoratan scarf dance --
an ancient Maguindanao dance from the southern island of Mindanao
in the Philippines. The dance represents the many uses of the
scarf worn by Muslin women. The scarves were commonly used by
the women as a weapon to defend their domain and protect their
womanhood. Maguindanao -- a providence on the Island of Mindanao
-- means "people of the flooded plains". Shariff Mohammed
Kabungsuwan of Johore introduced Islam in the area at the end
of the 15th century. He subsequently married a local princess
and established the Sultanate of Maguindanao. |
