TAUSUG: A MERE TRIBE OR NATIONALITY?

Neldy Jolo

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There are many arising questions to the advocacy of the United Tausug People restoration of the Sultanate of Sulu. Many asked that the Tausug only means to the people of Jolo Island. In here, in my capacity, I wish to clear out and explain what Tausug really means in the context of statehood, country and nationality of the Sultanate of Sulu.

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Tausug doesn’t mean representing only of one tribe. Tausug means people of Sulu. Tau means people; Sug connotes Sulu under the statehood and nationality of Sulu. Hence, Sulu people or people of Sulu are called Tausug – meaning composed of different tribes. Sulu basically is a nation-state not a mere province. What are the tribes of Sulu then? It was Buranun, Tagimaha (Yakan), Baklaya, Sama-Bajau, Dampuans and Banjar that was unanimously formed into one single citizenship under one nationality of the state Sultanate of Sulu.

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It is clear that Tausug is "citizenship" and "national identity" of the people of Sulu Archipelago not of single tribe. So there is no reason for the other tribes in Sulu Archipelago or the people of Sulu not to accept Tausug as their national identity – if soon the question will arise – how about us Sama, are we still called Tausug?

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To compromise let us call people of Sulu as Sulu Citizens or Sulu Nationals of the Sultanate of Sulu, thus comprising many tribes that are now thriving within the historical, political and legal territory of the Sultanate of Sulu.

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It is to be noted that Sulu Archipelago or the Sultanate of Sulu are encompassing present Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Jolo greater Island, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan and Lupah Higad or North Borneo now Sabah. According to Portuguese Explorer, Duarte Barbosa, “Sulu Archipelago is extending to North Borneo where pearls and gold are found.” This was the account of the outsider who went to Sulu in 15 century – meaning people who wish to refute it is extremely ignorant of history.

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We don’t have to worry about the name Tausug – all tribes and faiths are respected and recognised by this name under the statehood of the constitutional Sultanate of Sulu. We could put it this for clarity:

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a. Tau is people in Bahasa Sug

b. Sug is Sulu in Bahasa Sug

c. Sug or Sulu is country

d. Sultanate of Sulu is state and government

e. Tau Sug is people of Sulu

f. People of Sulu are nationals and citizens of Sulu or the Sultanate of Sulu.

Any historians, political leaders, professors, doctors, lawyers and others who are claiming to be intelligent to refute the name Tausug with the basis of political rights, historical rights and legal rights are very much welcome.

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The only single question that worth to be asked here that is addressed to the “PEOPLE CONCERN”, “is the Tausug national identity is only a tribe in terms state of Sultanate of Sulu?”

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This Tausug national identity has been binding people of Sulu for hundreds of years ago. People of Sulu were unconsciously agreed to take and embrace Filipino National Identity or the Filipino Citizenship of the Philippines - meaning people of Sulu were fooled and deceived by the colonizers after being not defeated by war and conquest – UNCONQUERED!

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The only way to restore peace by the will of God is to restore Sultanate of Sulu by changing the citizenship of the people of Sulu into Tausug or Sulu Citizenship from Filipino Citizenship.

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This move is barely legal that is in accordance to the Philippine Law, International Law and United Nations Charter, Declarations and Resolutions. Changing citizenship under the legal features is the right of the individual under the Basic Human Rights concept.

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Thus, this move is ANTI WAR AND TERRORISM! United Sultanate of Sulu People is “DENOUNCING WAR AND RENOUNCING TERRORISM!” Any armed leaning move in the Sultanate of Sulu is condemned!

THE ONE AND ONLY GENUINE TAUSUG PAINTER!

Neldy Jolo

I was with Asreesulu, a Tausug Cartoonist based in Kuala Lumpur and also an author of the book “Tausug and Sulu Sultanate”. Asreesulu wanted to cartoonize the lives and the activities of people in Sulu. We wander in the beautiful islands of the Sulu Archipelago of the Sultanate of Sulu.

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Based from our observation the place is extremely magnificent - but the situation of the state and status of the people and the faces of poverty are likewise in the level of extremity. I don’t know if anybody had seen this matter or questions the existence of these ala nightmares!

People sell mussak-massik (different kinds of goods) in the streets. The merchandises are basically made in Malaysia, China and Indonesia – not pretty sure if any from the Philippines – maybe there were.

The street vendors are hiding like criminals who had murder anyone – they will be running from the authority so their dagangan (merchandise) would not and could not be seized.
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The activities in the market are of negotiating the price and goods to be delivered later – it was my surprise that even professionals who have works in the government (of the Philippines) like in the university and other agencies are also doing the business.
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The authority does not find the way to let this people in comfort to sell their goods – no proper stall prepared for them – even there was but unaffordable price of the rent. The daily rent is perhaps more than the daily income of the street vendors.
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How this happen to them? There is really a problem and the solutions seem unprecedented. Those are the visuals of the faces of chaos and the aftermath of war that has painted the status of the Sulu people.
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With Asreesulu, we met Rameer Tawasil, The Only Genuine Tausug Painter of the 21^st century. Rameer Tawasil’s paintings talk about the social, cultural, political, historical, and economical milieu of the Tausug society with his concept of "UKKILISM" based from Tausug cultural identity motif, form and strokes that is known as UKKIL.

He said that, "My art retouches and rekindles the light of familiar intensity, stirring images of virtual overloads, capturing in flattery definition of neo- romanticism ,vivacious, a recreation of languor and rigorous neo-realism."

He further stated that, “the basic form and foundation of my art is “Ukkil”, a form of carving or traditional Tausug art formed done even before the Spaniards introduced paintings to the Philippines. I use bright, strong and bold colors to express my emotions, so my curvilinear speaks, creates “Sug” (swift current) or movement in my work."

As I wanted him to reiterate more about how deep is his work in terms of identity as Tausug, he responded as a Tausug professional artist of the present era with humbleness, sincerity that emphasize how strong quintessence form or genre of his art.

He said, “For as long the intention of my paint and brush is pure, I will keep on painting. If I will stop painting, I will die.”

I prepare to call Rameer Tawasil as RAMEETA although I am not a right person but I have an authority to myself as “cultural insider” as Tausug to call him as such. RAMEETA for me is connoting of his full name Rameer Tawasil also his identity as Only Genuine Tausug Painter – thus it is Rameer Tausug – in short for me is RAMEETA. It is depend upon others to call him by different nick.

Rameeta but spells Ramita is an Indian or Sanskrit word that does mean an ornamental that resembles a spray of leaves or flowers likewise “loved” and “pleasing”– this only signifies the craft of Rameer Tawasil’s Ukkilism that represent how he loved and how he is pleased with his work of that having the identity of his own – the Tausug Identity. His works also attracted the attention of the people that love and pleased with the message conveyed within!
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He is more than a person to be called Sulu National Artist by the impact and effect of his works to the development of the Tausug community as well as of that international village.
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Through his international collectors his works had gone so far that cannot be measured by any measuring instrument even how deep his works had penetrated the hearts and minds of the people – thus psychological and philosophical being of the people. His works and craft of arts seems to me that we cannot measure how far is too far.
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Somehow the paintings of Rameeta and the cartoons of Asreesulu will contribute to uplift the lives of the vendors we had mentioned above. To Rameeta and Asreesulu please keep on painting as you both keep the reality of truth of being Tausug!

Photo: Neldy Jolo and Asreesulu.
Painting: Rameer Tawasil (Rameeta).

TAUSUG: A STATELESS PERSONS!

Adopted on 28 September 1954 by a Conference of Plenipotentiaries convened by Economic andSocial Council resolution 526 A (XVII) of 26 April 1954

Entry into force: 6 June 1960, in accordance with article 39
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Preamble

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The High Contracting Parties,

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Considering that the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights approved on 10 December 1948 by the General Assembly of the United Nations have affirmed the principle that human beings shall enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms without discrimination,

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Considering that the United Nations has, on various occasions, manifested its profound concern for stateless persons and endeavoured to assure stateless persons the widest possible exercise of these fundamental rights and freedoms,
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Considering that only those stateless persons who are also refugees are covered by the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951, and that there are many stateless persons who are not covered by that Convention,
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Considering that it is desirable to regulate and improve the status of stateless persons by an international agreement,
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Have agreed as follows:

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

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Article 1. - Definition of the term "stateless person"

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1. For the purpose of this Convention, the term "stateless person" means a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law.
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2. This Convention shall not apply:
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(i) To persons who are at present receiving from organs or agencies of the United Nations other than the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees protection or assistance so long as they are receiving such protection or assistance;
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(ii) To persons who are recognized by the competent authorities of the country in which they have taken residence as having the rights and obligations which are attached to the possession of the nationality of that country;
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(iii) To persons with respect to whom there are serious reasons for considering that:

( a ) They have committed a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against humanity, as defined in the international instruments drawn up to make provisions in respect of such crimes;

( b ) They have committed a serious non-political crime outside the country of their residence prior to their admission to that country;

( c ) They have been guilty of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

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Article 2. - General obligations

Every stateless person has duties to the country in which he finds himself, which require in particular that he conform to its laws and regulations as well as to measures taken for the maintenance of public order.
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Article 3. - Non-discrimination

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The Contracting States shall apply the provisions of this Convention to stateless persons without discrimination as to race, religion or country of origin.

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Article 4. - Religion

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The Contracting States shall accord to stateless persons within their territories treatment at least as favourable as that accorded to their nationals with respect to freedom to practise their religion and freedom as regards the religious education of their children.

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Article 5. - Rights granted apart from this Convention

Nothing in this Convention shall be deemed to impair any rights and benefits granted by a Contracting State to stateless persons apart from this Convention.

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Article 6. - The term "in the same circumstances"

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For the purpose of this Convention, the term "in the same circumstances" implies that any requirements (including requirements as to length and conditions of sojourn or residence) which the particular individual would have to fulfil for the enjoyment of the right in question, if he were not a stateless person, must be fulfilled by him, with the exception of requirements which by their nature a stateless person is incapable of fulfilling.
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Source: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/stateless.htm

TAUSUG GLOBAL MEDIA TEAM: EXPLORES BONGAO ISLAND!

Neldy Jolo<钤ʰ>
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Bongao is one of the islands of Sulu part of the larger island of Tawi-Tawi and serve as capital city. This island can be considered part of the global standard of beautiful environmental setup of nature. It is bounded by the two international seas, the Sulu Sea (Sulu West Sea) and the Sulawesi Sea (Sulu East Sea).

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Beautiful Monkey in Bongao Peak. They are very friendly. Please bring bananas to offer them.

Asreesulu captured the views of the market and other establishment here. Despite the shadow of poverty confronted by the people, still they are very happy of their endeavour and seem satisfied with their everyday routine. This proves that happiness cannot only be achieved by the power of money but satisfaction out from oppression – respect the morality of being human of having rights to enjoy freedom and independence!

Asreesulu at the top of Bud Bongao over looking Sulu Sea!

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After roaming around the city of Bongao, we decided to have a mountain climb to the Bongao Peak. There found many intelligent monkeys that prove Bongao still undisturbed natural place to live in. In the two most peaks there are many tombs of the Islamic masters who were part of extending the teaching of Islam in Sulu.

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Stall where we bought Bananas to bring to Bongao Peak!

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They are Dama Tuan Muhammad Ali, reportedly shifted from Bud Kaha and a brother of Tuan Mahadum. Others are Sitti Fatimah Karandaman, Tuan Hadinullah and Tuan Andaw believed to be coming from Tapul, and the two sisters, Sitti Nurasia and Sitti Jahura. The tomb is taken cared by Tuan Sharif Arajan. Many of the Tausug believers were coming to extend prayers as a gift to them.

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One of the mosques in Bongao, Sulu. View at early morning!

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The lives of these masters were dedicated to the development of being of the Tausug People of the Sulu country, hence loving them is part of strengthen the spirit of universal brotherhood without discriminations. There were the symbols of the past crusades of truth in the entire Islamic civilizations of the world. They respected the culture and traditions of the Tausug so long it won’t go out beyond the boundaries of Islamic faith, thought and laws.
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Blue skies and seas that are seen here are symbol of peaceful heart of the Tausug people in terms of accepting and understanding different culture and traditions as well as faith. The co-existence of the people as citizens of Sulu bounded them very much.
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Children swimming near Siasi Wharf. We passed Siasi on the way to Bongao!

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Of course not to forget the worth mentioning of fisher folks, vendors, farmers and other stakeholders as “peace divers and carvers” without them there shall no daily activities of the city. It is worth to be part of their community and brought people to be proud to be called Tausug! Let keep the blessings of Allah. Amin!!!

Photos: Neldy Jolo and Asreesulu

TAUSUG PEOPLE AND MINDANAO WEEK OF PEACE!

Neldy Jolo
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While in Jolo we received the invitation that Mindanao Week of Peace will be celebrated largely in Zamboanga City. Actually, it was our way to Bongao to explore and enjoy the beauty of the nature and the islets found here. The blue-crystalline water of the Sulu Sea symbolizes the calmness of the Sulu Archipelago as was having a country that has its own great historical and political milieu in the pages of foreign descriptions.
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This characteristic reminded me of Sulu ancient description as Madi Mahat means “once a great one” quoted by Vic Hurley in his Swiss of the Kris. Chinese described Sulu as a “peaceful country” of the “glorified peaceful people”.
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It is about time for the people to reminisce their past to determine their future by not having the ugliness of war to go over beautiful peace. This is the time also to measure how far is too far. The key is to celebrate peace together. The Mindanao Week Peace is one way to realize but one secret recipe is independence? One ingredient is citizenship?
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People of Mindanao and Sulu rallied to establish long lasting and sustainable just peace based from the humanitarian conscience in their homeland that were been long under the stage of social, psychological, economical and cultural savagery.
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More than 2500 people from different agencies and organizations who joined the opening parade of the celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace in the morning of November 26, 2009. These groups of people wanted to bring peace to Mindanao and Sulu as the theme of the event is to “Think Mindanao, Feel Mindanao and Bring Peace to Mindanao. The event was started from November 24 to December 2, 2009.
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The event was headed by the Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace along with the Peace Advocates Zamboanga. The United Tausug People of the Sultanate of Sulu were among in the front to lead the parade with Sulu Flag flying along. Thank you for the invitation!
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Zamboanga City was one of the dominions of the Sultanate of Sulu were people of different faiths and ethnicities living hand and hand peacefully with their neighbours. There is no appropriate reason for the people to understand and tolerate each other than to accept their co-existence as human being despite differences in names. Diversity is one way to unity, distinction is a method of commonality and community is a ground of harmony. There can be no one without many!
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“You want Peace? Restore Sultanate of Sulu!” said the author of the book “Sulu Sultanate: The Unconquered Kingdom”, Professor Clemencio Bascar in his article published in Zamboanga Today Newspaper on November 25, 2009. To the United Tausug People, “changing of citizenship according to the rights and laws is the way to restoring Sulu Sultanate to realize peace and security. So let there be peace in Sulu. Philippines please leave Sulu now for the sake of JUST PEACE!”

Photos: Neldy Jolo and Asreesulu

TAUSUG GLOBAL JOINS PHOTO ART EXHIBIT!

Neldy Jolo

On our way to look for Kadday Pagkaun (restaurant), we happened to meet the Tausug famous artist in Zamboanga City. He is an artist of a unique identity of painting using Tausug Ukkil. If any painter would use the ukkil medium, it is an imitation of his work.

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I said, “Uy Rams yari kaw. Maunu-unu na kita yan. Malugay na kita wala nagkita” (Oh Rams, you are here. How are you? It has been so long we haven’t seen each other). Anyway, this is Asreesulu! A caricaturist and cartoonist in Kuala Lumpur, he is also an author of the book Tausug and the Sulu Sultanate and the head of the Tausug Global Media Arts Team”, I introduced to him.
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I said, “Bro. Asree, ini hi Rameer Tawasil, Tausug painter di ha Zamboanga City” as I they shake their hands. My tummy had been calling for food. We left to Zamboanga City without having our lunch.
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Rams invited us to taste the food in a certain famous fast food chain. He ordered for us. Thank you Rams for saving the lives of our Kalug. While enjoying the food, Rams invited us to join the Photo Art Exhibit as part of the celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace, organized by Peace Advocates Zamboanga and Ateneo De Zamboanga. We promised to submit some. We left after having some stories of peace activism through arts.

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The Miradas De Paz, a Photography and Digital Art Exhibit were displayed in the Gallery of the Peninsula and the Archipelago, Ateneo De Zamboanga University, La Purisima Campus. All participating artists were organized by Rameer Tawasil. It runs until December2 from its opening on November 24, 2009. Thank you to Rameer Tawasil who works hard to include our photo arts in the exhibit.

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As we are representing the Tausug Global Media Arts Team (TGMA), among the title of the photo arts we sent to Rameer are Right Way, Right Food, Sells Good, Future Player and Clean Is Right. For Asreesulu are Love Cares, Future Is Past, Save Freedom, and Right Identity.

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This invitation promotes the learning artists to expose their infant art work. In the future more new artist will join to enjoy their craft of being to practically promoting peace and justice. There are many Tausug artists that are soon to engage in Artivism, that is using arts for peace activism.
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The effect of the arts contributed to the psychological development and upbringing of people to live lives. Art does not only mean art – it is life..! So keep doing arts. Tausug Artists show your hidden talent.

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Photos: Neldy Jolo and Asreesulu

TAUSUG SUMMIT REACHING THE PEAK!

Neldy Jolo

It was the first time in the 21st century Tausug held summit to reach the peak of their quest to free Tausug as well as Sulu from the clutch of tyranny. Despite of the signed Final Peace Agreement between Moro National Liberation Front and Government of the Philippines in September 1996 the Tausug People are still unsatisfied towards the height of achieving the genuine rights, peace and justice in their unconquered island homeland, the Sulu country.

Council of Regents was created through this summit by the Tausug People from the United Tausug Citizens and the Council of Royal Datus. Chairman of Council of Royal Datus, Datu Albi Ahmad Julkarnain was chosen to head the Council of Regents.

About 3000 supporters of Sultanate of Sulu attended the summit who jointly celebrating the 604th Sulu Public Governance and Administration that was started in November 17, 1405.

Datu Albi Ahmad Julkarnain, wrote the article that was published in Zamboanga Today Newspaper on December 1, 2009, “The Tausug People movement is taking steps to resolve the several conflicting Claimants to the position of the Sultan of Sulu Sultanate Islamic State through a series of consultations, dialogues and information campaigns among Royal Heirs, Ulama, Sharifs, traditional leaders, such as the Panglima, Mahardja and Ulangkaya, the religious leaders such as the Imams, Bilals and Hatibs, the political leaders and other inhabitants of Sulu archipelago and Sabah”.

I could feel the sufferings of Tausug People as one descended from this Tausug ancestral blood. I and Asreesulu supported their pursuit to realize “peace and security” by “denouncing war and renouncing terrorism” as researchers of the truth and solutions to the problem bounded Sulu for centuries.

The flowing tears of the orphans and widows and in the flooded blood of the martyrs seem to realize through this effort. The United Nations was created for international peace and security via the cry of the departed heroes and living oppressed people of the world. This is the same case that was cried by the Tausug People for many decades living outside the decency of others, especially in the hand of the Philippines.
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“What were lost to Sultanate of Sulu are its people. The advocacy of the Tausug People is to get back to their citizenship according the Philippine Political Law, International Law and United Nations Resolutions on the Rights of the Peoples Nations to Self-Determination. Tausug Citizens unconsciously became Filipino Citizens after granting of the independence to the Philippines by the United States of America”, said the Sultanate of Sulu Legal Counsel and Spokesperson, Atty. Meltino Jaujan Sibulan.
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The Supreme Head of the United Tausug Citizens, Sultan Bantilan Muizzuddin II agreed and says “I am indeed happy that the Tausug People had signed this unification effort and created the Council of Regents along the way to the celebration of the just peace and security towards freedom and independence of Sulu”.

The steps of the peaceful restoration of the Sultanate of Sulu shall be taken into account based from the international human rights through legal, political and historical rights. Any armed move to this cry is absolutely condemned by the United Tausug Poeple and the Council of Regents!

Photos: Neldy Jolo and Asreesulu