Tamparan, Lanao del Sur

Geography

The Islamic Municipality of Tamparan is located on the eastern part of Lanao del Sur. It is bounded on the north by the Municipality of Taraka, on the south by Poona-Bayabao, and on the west by Lake Lanao.

Tamparan is approximately 27 kilometres (17 mi) from Marawi City, the biggest center in the province and also the nearest center of commercial activities to Tamparan. Tamparan and Marawi City are connected by road passing through the municipalities of Ditsaan-Ramain, Bubong, Buadi-Puso Buntong, Mulondo and Taraka. Tamparan is also accessible by water transportation through the Lake Lanao.

The municipality of Tamparan has a total land area of 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) more or less. Agricultural area comprises 42.30%, built-up area is 5.46%, open grassland 48.60%, while roads/creeks and river constitute 3.64%.

Topography

The Municipality lies on the plain and slightly sloppy area hence erosion is less. But due to its location along the lake, some of the areas are affected by the rise and fall of the lake water level.

Climate

The month of February has the lowest average temperature of 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) and the month of April has the highest with 28.8 °C (83.8 °F). A stable north-west wind blows from January to September. In the months of October and November, wind blows either north-west or north-south

Generally, the municipality is under the fourth type of climate characterized by even distribution of rainfall through the year. Heaviest rain is experienced in the months of January, May and July. Dry months are September and November.

Barangays

Tamparan is politically subdivided into 44 barangays.

Etymology and origin

Its name was derived from the Maranao word tamparan which literally means "frontge."

During the American colonial presence in the country Sultan Mangking Sugador was appointed by the American government as Municipal District President, a position equal to the rank of Municipal Mayor, although lesser in power than the latter. When asked by the American Officials about his name, the Sultan said “I am the Sultan of Tamparan,” referring to the dowa ka lokus-tribal leaders of Tamparan. Sultan Mangking Sugador became popular by his royal title that American officials started calling the town Tamparan.

Declaration

The creation of the Municipality of Tamparan could be traced way back the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines under the late President Manuel L. Quezon. It was in the year 1940 President Quezon issued an Executive Order known as Commonwealth Act No. 592 creating Dansalan (now Marawi City) as regular municipality and Tamparan as its municipal district covering the areas (now municipalities) of Masiu, Taraka, Poona-Bayabao, Lumba Bayabao, Maguing, Mulondo, Bumbaran and Wao.

Tamparan District became a regular municipality on September 28, 1960 by virtue of Executive Order No. 405 and consequently declared Islamic Municipality pursuant to Batas Pambansa (PB) Number 33 on June 4, 1984.

Language and ethnicity

Majority of the Tamparanian (or Itamparanen in Meranau) traces their roots to Meranau ethnicity although there are also Tagalog, Bisaya and other ethnicity who migrated in the town. The vernacular language is Filipino in the form of Meranau, while Tagalog and English are the languages also widely used in education and business throughout the town.

Religion

Majority of Tamparanian are Muslims. Sunni Islam is the predominant religion and widely practiced. Many people have studied Islamic (Muslim) and Arabic education both within the country and abroad. Other religious group such as Christian could also be found in town.