origins of yakan yakal - a tree - mispronounce and became yakan - spaniards thought that the name of an island tree yakal refers to the islands inhabitants - centuries ago the island was thickly covered by the yakal trees sameacans- they are believed to be the settlers of this island (basilan) that is the largest in the archipelago

Language yakan - written in malay arabic script and native words have been adapted into the alphabet - it is difficult for arabic speakers to read the yakan script - the syllables are frequently disconnected and some words are formed differently - structure and syntax reveal stron malay-indonisian influences - particularly javanese probably occured prior to the introduction of islam - very few yakan are literate (in their languange or any) - basilan is home to settlers from groups with high literacy rates - has one of the lowest provincial averages in the philippines - schooling icreases the likehood of yakan moving far from their native group samal - yakans consider to be a fraternal tribe. - languages are quite similar and are muslims - sea nomads unlike yakans wich are inland farmers tausug - refered to as jolono on basilan - closely related to yakan - yakans welcome tausug as long as they do not cause trouble. - they have greater interaction with the outside world characteristics physical- straight balck hair and the slight build associated with the malay - religion Introduction The Yakan are primarily Muslim.45 Islam was introduced to inhabitants of the southern Philippines in the 13th century by Arab traders and Muslim missionaries from Sumatra and other parts of Southeast Asia. Rather than displacing the local belief system, Islam was absorbed into it. It addressed the spiritual needs of the Yakan, whose daily life was regulated by taboos that, if not properly observed, threatened to become a source of trouble

prior to islamic faith - animism was perpetuated by oral tradition - children avoided playong in trees and caves to not disturb spirits - learned about spirits in order to avoid crossing paths with spirits islam - believed in five pilars - some yakan do not strictly observe the five prayer a day