>>> New York has one of the largest Filipino
populations in the U.S. While the majority of Filipinos
are Christians, little is known about the Muslim community.
One woman is hoping to change all that.
[Chanting]
>>> It’s a ritual they often do together during practice.
They come together in a prayer circle.
>>> In honor of our ancestors...
>>> My name is Potri Rankamanis Queano Nur.
I come from the Rapaptin Royal House...
>>> Potri Rankamanis grew up in the Southern Philippines,
and is the daughter of a sultan. She is a proud
Muslim Filipino whose mission since arriving in the U.S. is
to keep her culture alive.
>>> So I'm part of that stereotype of the Filipinos,
you're a nurse, you have to go abroad.
But the thing is I'm conscious because of my own exposure
since childhood that I'm conscious that I have
a tradition, culture and heritage that I have to
carry with me.
In my mind I said I'm not going to be assimilated.
America will assimilate me, but not me assimilating America.
>>> So 26 years ago, she founded Kinding Sindaw,
which tranlates to movement and light.
Along with performing classic and original dances
thoughout the country, they also offer workshops
and dance classes teaching young and old about the
history Filipino Muslims.
>>> Kinding Sindaw's mission is assert, reclaim, preserve
and recreate the unwritten stories, legends and myths
and the unwritten history of the Filipinos,
particularly those of the Mindanao history.
>>> Mindanao is the second largest island in the
Philippines, and where most of the Muslim Filipinos live.
The Muslims are a small minority in the majority
Christian Philippines, an estimated 6% of the population.
Islam has a long and rich history in the Philippines,
predating Christianity.
According to historians, Islam arrived
in the southern Philippine in the 13th century when
sultans ruled the land.
When the Spanish arrived in 1500s it marked
the beginning of a complicated history of
fighting and skirmishes between the Muslims also
known as Moros, first with the Spanish, then the
Americans, and today the Philippine government.
The most recent clash came last year in Marawi,
a 5-month long armed conflict between U.S backed
Philippine security forces and Islamic state loyalists.
Potri’s family, along with the other tradition bearers
in her group, are descendants of former ruling sultans.
>>> My grandfather, the father of my mom,
is actually from the descendants of Sultan Badaruad.
>>> There really isn’t a Filipino Muslim enclave in
the tri-state, so Kinding Sindaw, for many has
become home.
>>> Just bear in mind that we have to really understand
this tradition so we can internalize it and excute it
correctly and for the upcoming shows just bring it on.
>>> It's already my passion to teach dances.
Arts is my passion. Dances, singing is my
passion. I was longing for a group so that I can
exercise what I learn. So, when I was introduced to
Potri Mankaranis, the founder, I was so interested to
join the group.
>>> Kinding Sindaw’s members are both Muslim
and Christian. When we interviewed the group they
were preparing for a show at La Mama Theater,
featuring the stories of their homeland.
Along with original stories and dances,
the group also performs a popular dance called the sinkil,
based on a famous legend of the Maranao people,
which tells the story of a Muslim princess
rescued by a prince.
It is these legends, these stories, the group wants to
make sure is passed on to the next generation.
For Potri, that means handing the baton to
her daughter Mailika.
>>> Before when I was younger, I was just like,
yeah, I'll just perform. I know it. But I think that I took
on really making sure it continues because we are
really the only Filipino Muslim and Moro indigenous
voice in America.
>>> For Mailika and her mother that voice,
they say is more important than ever, especially in
today’s political climate.
>>> So what is it like now, being Muslim in this current
political climate?
>>> For me there is no change. I grew up discriminated.
I grew up during the Marcos regime. I had to change my
name at every check point.
I grew up with it, so I'm very graceful facing it.
And I'm using all this trauma and all this
negativity in the most positive way and using that as an
opportunity to raise consciousness.
>>> I’m Ernabel Demillo for Asian American Life.