Lesson 1:

SARIMANOK
The Sarimanok is a legendary bird of the Maranao people who originate from Mindanao, a major island
in the Philippines. It comes from the words "sari" and "manok." "Sari" means cloth or garment, which is
generally of assorted colors. Manòk means "bird".
Description:
It is the legendary bird that has become a ubiquitous symbol of Maranao art. It is depicted as a fowl with
colorful wings and feathered tail, holding a fish on its beak or talons. The head is profusely decorated
with scroll, leaf, and spiral motifs. It is said to be a symbol of good fortune.
Origin:
The Sarimanok is derived from a totem bird of the Maranao people, called Itotoro. According to the
Maranao people, the Itotoro is a medium to the spirit world via its unseen twin spirit bird called
Inikadowa.
The Sarimanok is also believed to have originated from the Garuda of Hindu epic Ramayana adopted
into Maharadia Lawana of Maranao people, which in turn was later adopted to an Islamic legend after
Southern Philippines converted to Islam.
According to the later Islamic legend, Muhammad found a rooster in the first of the seven heavens. The
bird was so large its crest touched the second heaven. Its crow roused every living creature except man.
Judgement day would come once this celestial rooster ceased to crow.
A Maranao legend also says of a Sultan's daughter being swept by a colorful rooster that became a
handsome young man and they were never seen ever again. The Sultan then created replicas of the bird
to remember his daughter by.