The fascinating building known as the Torogan House can be found in the Philippines, a nation renowned for its rich cultural heritage and varied architectural styles. The Torogan House is more than just a physical structure; within its intricately carved walls are centuries of tradition, history, and social significance. We will examine the history, characteristics, and cultural significance of the Torogan House in the Philippines in this article.

History

The Maranao people, an indigenous people living in the Lanao region of Mindanao, the Philippines, have a traditional home known as the Torogan House. The name "Torogan" reflects the house's association with Maranao royalty and nobility and is derived from the Maranao words "toro," which means "pillar," and "gan," which denotes "royal." The Maranao sultans, the local rulers, and their families historically lived in torogan houses.

Architectural Features

The Torogan House's distinctive architectural style is one of its most striking features. These homes are on stilts, which provides ventilation, flood protection, and a line of defense against potential dangers. The houses' intricate wood carvings and motifs serve as a testament to the Maranao people's extraordinary skill at artistic creation and craftsmanship. The exterior and interior surfaces are decorated with intricate panolong (wooden carvings) and okir (curvilinear designs), which represent elements from nature and Maranao folklore.

The majestic facade of the Torogan House, which includes high columns with elaborate carvings, soaring rooflines, and opulent decorations that emphasize the social status of the occupants, is often recognized. The interior areas are equally stunning, with intricate wooden ceiling panels, walls, and floors that all display the expert artistry of Maranao craftsmen.

("Panolong"-Source: Nationalmuseum.gov.ph)

(Example of "Okir" Art Design)

What does Torogan Houses Symbolizes?

For the Maranao people, the Torogan House has great cultural and social significance in addition to being an architectural marvel. These residences represent power, prestige, and wealth in the neighborhood. Torogan Houses, the residences of the ruling class, served as the location for significant rituals, ceremonies, and gatherings. Additionally, they contributed to the Maranao people's social cohesion and sense of identity.

Torogan Houses feature intricate wood carvings and designs that tell tales of Maranao spirituality, history, and myth. These carvings frequently feature scenes from epics, legends, and Islamic influences that have influenced the Maranao people's culture.

Torogan Houses as one of the Philippine's Treasures

Kawayan Torogan has been declared a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine National Museum in 2008. It is located in Barangay Bubung Malanding and was by Sultan sa Kawayan Makaantal. Kawayan Torogan is also considered as the last remaining habitable torogan in Lanao del Sur.

(Source: www.mymindanao.com)

Preservation Acts

Since the Torogan Houses has been built a long time ago, it must've been affected by different calamities and deterioration effects due to its age. Most of these houses are made up of mostly woods, so it is prone to termites. These are just some of the challenges that our cultural heritages are facing that can affect its preservation.

But of course, as Filipinos are born to be creative, they find ways on how to preserve the Torogan Houses through the use of modern technology and by innovation. In an article entitled "The torogan house: beyond the bahay kubo" by Carilla, it is stated there the initiatives towards the preservation of torogan houses by making 3D Torogan Puzzle. This is a project called "Balay-Balay 3D Architecture Puzzles." They aim to create a non-toxic toy to be enjoyed by the children and young at heart. The success of this project will definitely be a success of the Philippines, why? because the minds of the young will be nurtured by being knowledgeable of our culture while having fun in building the Torogan Puzzle and since it is a toy, it will stand longer and be displayed in every house for future generations to see and appreciate.

(The Balay-Balay project. Source: Mindanao News)

The Torogan House is a symbol of the Maranao people of the Philippines' rich cultural heritage. It is a distinctive and alluring object of exploration due to its architectural magnificence, historical importance, and cultural value. By comprehending and preserving buildings like the Torogan House, we pay homage to the histories, customs, and artistic creations of those who came before us and add to the overall fabric of the Philippines' rich cultural landscape.

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