Sinulog Dance Sparks Controversy: Muslim Community Cries Misrepresentation

Members of the Muslim community and online users expressed outrage over a Sinulog dance performance in Cebu that they say inaccurately portrayed Moro culture and religion. 

 

 

 

The controversy erupted after social media page Ka Fiesta TV posted a video of the performance, which took place during the Sinulog sa Sugbo Philippines 2024 launching parade on January 12th.

 

 

The video shows dancers from Cebu Technological University (CTU) dressed in traditional Moro garments, representing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). However, many critics argue that the performance misrepresented and appropriated elements of Moro culture without proper respect or understanding.

 

Dr. Ijodin Saripada Mamacol, executive director of the Cebu City Office of the Muslim Affairs and Indigenous Cultural Communities (OMAICC), told Rappler on January 13th, "As a Muslim, you are showcasing our Muslim [culture] but not in the right way." Dr. Mamacol and others raised concerns about the lack of context, the use of inappropriate costumes and props, and the overall portrayal of Moro culture as solely focused on dance and performance.

 

The incident has sparked discussions about cultural sensitivity, appropriation, and the importance of representation. 

 

 

Many online users are calling for more education and awareness about Moro culture, stressing the need for collaboration and respectful engagement when depicting diverse communities in artistic expressions.