The Institute of Bangsamoro Studies
The Bangsamoro People
The Muslims who traditionally inhabited Mindanao, the islands of Basilan and Palawan, and the Sulu and Tawi-Tawi archipelago in the south of the Philippines identify themselves as Bangsamoro.
The name Moro was given by the Spanish colonizers to the Muslims in Mindanao whom they found to have the same religion and way of life with the Muslims of North Africa who ruled the Iberian Peninsula for centuries. The Malay word bangsa, which means nation, was prefixed to suggest distinct nationhood. The term has find place in official documents of the Organization of Islamic Conference and agreements between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The thirteen ethno-linguistics groups constituting the Bangsamoro People
Iranun
Magindanaon
Meranao
Tao-Sug
Sama
Yakan
Jama Mapun
Ka'agan
Kalibugan
Sangil
Molbog
Palawani
Badjao