The People of  Ranao (lake) are called Meranao since they are residing near or in the vicinity of the lake.  By implication, they are the people of the lake.

          Meranao Muslim people believe in the oneness of Allah, the Sustainer and Creator of all creatures, and they also believe in the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him).  Tambas Yahya in his dissertation in 1989 revealed that “the people, Mslim Meranao, are the most religious among the thirteen Muslim groups in the Philippines .”

         Meranao born around the Ranao ( Lake) and the parents are same Meranaos looks upon himself noble.  His nobility therefore is a great challenge on his part to prove in all  walks of life and be reflective in his attitudes, utterances and activities.

 
       As Muslim, he must be noble in the sight of Allah. He should fear Allah by following His commandments as enshrined in the Qur’an (the words of Allah) and the Sunnah (tradition of Prophet Muhammad). 

    Obviously,  some Meranao uphold their nobleness though they are not dignified in the sight of Allah, they are not observing the tenets of Islam. They used to sustain this by inter marriages with the same noble.  Some even  resort to subsequent marriage mainly to widen their kinship and  develop a strong community feeling and attachment

          Cayongcat Atti in his book entitled “Knowing the  Meranao” published in 1986 revealed that “the common impression is that the Meranao is a cultural minority and only a second class Filipino.  His social stratification is premised on his religious identity and ethnic posture.  But the Meranao is seemingly not accepting these limitations.  In fact, he thinks highly of himself.  He  believes he belongs to the high stratum of Philippine society.”

 
        The most noble in the Meranao social structure are the parents, sons or daughters of an influential sultan, bae, or datu.  Their manners are domineering.  Their behavioral patterns are autocratic.  These are observable in times of their farming, business transactions and other social activities.

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