History of Dinas

Dinas has three (3) stories according to forefathers of Dinas. First is the "Sardinas" story, second is the "Linas" story, and the third one is the "Dala-Nas" story

First story:
It is said long ago that the name "Dinas" was derived when a group of Spaniards unexpectedly arrived to Dinas. They saw a couple eating under the tree and they decided to approach them. The leader of the Spaniards asked the couple what is the name of that place but they asked them using their language. The couple just looked at them because they can’t understand them. The Spaniards asked them again, so the couple thought that what the strangers asked them was “What are you eating?” so they answered “Sardinas”. The Spaniards thought that the couple understands them so they thanked the couple and immediately went home. That’s the time that the Spaniards call the place “Sardinas”. After how many years, the Sardinas name was shortened as “Dinas”.


The second story:
It is said that the first invaders of Dinas were the Subanen tribe. They were living peacefully there when Datu Zainal Abidin Maulana and his people came to the south to look for a new place where he can put his new kingdom. As they walked to the land, they saw husks of corns anywhere. Datu Maulana wants to know who occupies the place. So when they found a river, they put fishes there, leave it and they eventually hid to the trees. Few hours of waiting, they saw a boy rushing through the water to find out what was shaking in the water. They asked the Subanen what was the name of the place where they are in but the Subanen can’t answer their questions for they can’t understand each other. Months passed by and the Subanens went to other places because they don’t want to be muslimized. Datu Maulana immediately built his kingdom in Poblacion Dinas (now). He let his people plow the soil and plant anything to the land they wanted. When they stop plowing, they pasture their carabaos to the land near the Datu’s house. Carabaos love that place because grasses were newly cut all the time for maintenance. That place was their Pasture Land at that time. When people asked the farmers where to pasture their carabaos, they will answer “in Linas”. Linas is the Maguindanaon term for those newly grown grasses.


Third story:
It is also said by the forefathers of Dinas that the time when Datu Maulana arrived in Dinas, specifically to the river (Banigan River now) who’s facing to the place where the sun rises (sebangan) to the Eastern Part. The Datu called the place as Dala-Nas (peaceful) as he referred to one of the chapters of Qur-an which is the Suratol Nas.



MY CONCLUSION:

It is so impossible that the name Dinas was derived from the story of the “Sardinas”. I just find it impossible. Why? It is because the story happened during the Spanish Regime. Try to analyze it. There were no “Sardines” during the time of the Spaniards because there were no companies or traders of Sardines during their colonization. Tradings of sardines started during the time of Americans. So how come that the couple was eating sardines at that time?

But do you ever think why Dinas isn't peaceful now? People are afraid of going there because of the killings. I’m just curious why... I analyzed the history of Dinas and what I analyzed was this:

The forefathers of Dinas gave its name Dala-Nas which means "unrisky" and people of Dinas also named it "Linas" and eventually change it to "Dinas" after many years passed by. Just think of it, Dala-Nas (unrisky) was changed to Dinas where we can write Di-Nas Di (not) + Nas (peaceful) which means "not peaceful". Well, it's just my conclusion anyways... :-)



Key Informants:
Prof. Abusama Y. Salipada, Al-hajj (Retired Principal of Msu-BC)
Mr. Monib Pelso, Al-hajj (Ex-Vice Mayor of Dinas)
Prof. Cauting S. Anig, Al-hajj (Retired Teacher of Dinas Pilot School)
Prof. Sulman C. Abu (Retired Teacher of Dinas Pilot Highschool)
Mr. Abulhair U. Salipada (Bachelor of Science Major in English)

History of Maguindanaon Tribe

The Maguindanaon are part of the wider Moro ethnic group, who constitute the sixth largest Filipino Ethnic Group. The Maguindanaon, literally, “people of the flood plains”, occupy the Basin of Pulangi River. The southern fork of the river flows towards Illana Bay. In the past the Maguindanaon settled along the banks and in the valley regions of the river. Today, they are found in several provinces. In Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, Zamboanga Del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay.

In Maguindanao Province, which accounts for 76% of the total Maguindanao population, they are settled in Barira, Buldon, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Kabuntalan, Dindig, North Upi, Matanog, Cotabato City, Buluan, Datu Panglas, Pagalungan, Ampatuan, Maganoy, Datu Piang, Talayan, Sultan sa Barungis, General Salipada Pendatun, and South Upi. In Cotabato Province, they are found in Pikit and Kabacan. In Sultan Kudarat Province, they live in Lebak, Palembang, Kalamasig and all coastal towns. In Zamboanga Sibugay, they are found in Buug, Kabasalan and Malangas. In Zamboanga Del Sur, they are found in Dimataling, Dinas, Kumalarang, Labangan, Margosatubig, Pitogo and Tabina.

The Maguindanaon language is a part of a subgroup of languages called the “Danao languages”. The subgroup includes Maranao, spoken in the Lanao provinces; Ilanun (also Ilanum or Iranun), spoken by a group of a sea-based people between Lanao and Maguindanao; and Maguindanao, mainly spoken in Maguindanao, Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

Maguindanaon people usually have their different accents that made people confuse about the said ethnic group. Actually, there are different kinds of Maguindanaon such as Tao sa Laya (those people residing particularly in Cotabato), Tao sa Biwang (people residing particularly in General Santos), Tao sa Bala (people residing particularly in Zamboanga Sibugay), Tao sa Kawanan (people residing particularly in Zamboanga Del Sur), and Simuay. But as a whole they can still be considered as Maguindanaon.

The predominant religion among the Maguindanao is a form of folk Islam. Islamic beliefs and practices, which are gradually becoming more orthodox, are superimposed on a preexisting animistic belief system. People continue to believe in a variety of environmental spirits, and many tales are told of magic, sorcery, and supernatural beings. Even Sarip Kabungsuwan, who is credited with having brought Islam to this area, is described as having had powers of magic and sorcery. Muslim religious leaders and teachers are called Imam and Pandeta. Muslim religious holidays and other observances are celebrated among the Maguindanao, but in varying degrees by different communities and individuals. The most widespread ceremonies are those associated with fasting during the month of Ramadan, when virtually everyone appears to participate. Other ceremonies, such as those associated with birth, marriage, and death, tend to incorporate both Islamic and indigenous beliefs and rituals.