Basilan is a province located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)[1], part of the Sulu Archipelago and neighboring Lanao del Sur[2] and Maguindanao[3] in central Mindanao. The province’s capital is the City of Isabela.
Basilan has a land area of 3,224.47 square kilometers (1,244.97 square miles). According to the 2015 Census, the population of Basilan was 346,579, accounting for 9.17% of the total population of BARMM, 1.44% of the population of Mindanao, and 0.34% of the total population of the Philippines. The population density is approximately 107 inhabitants per square kilometer (278 inhabitants per square mile).
History of Basilan
Basilan was historically known by various names, including Tagime, which was named after a Datu who ruled a significant portion of the island before the arrival of the Spanish. The island also had names such as Uleyan and Matangal, derived from prominent mountains on the island. Other names included PuhGulangan (Island of Forest), UmusTambun (Fertile Land), and Kumalarang, named after a local river. The name BasihBalan emerged after a legendary battle in which the natives, led by Sultan Kudarat and his brave Muslim warriors, successfully defended the island against Spanish invaders from nearby Zamboanga. The name BasihBalan comes from the local weapon called pira, made of iron (basih) and magnetic (balan). Over time, this name was shortened to Basilan, which remains the name of the province today.
People of Basilan
The Yakan people are the predominant ethnic group in Basilan, primarily concentrated in the towns of Tipo-Tipo, Lamitan, Sumisip, and Tuburan. There are also smaller Yakan populations on nearby islands such as Sakol, Malanipa, and Tumalutad, located to the east of the Zamboanga Peninsula. The word Yakan is believed to mean “Dayak Origin,” as the Yakans are considered descendants of the Orang Dyaks or Tagihamas from eastern Indonesia. They speak a dialect of the Sama language and have been influenced culturally by the Tausug people.
The Yakans are primarily farmers, focusing on upland rice cultivation. Unlike many other groups, they do not typically live in compact villages. Instead, they build their homes just out of sight from their neighbors, on their own plots of farmland. Each Yakan community is led by an Imam, who holds both religious and sociopolitical authority. The Yakans are renowned for their beautiful weaving, vibrant
