Preserving Ancient Customs: Youth Embracing Traditional Values
Muslima Limpao, a Maranao advocate, is making waves in challenging long-held stereotypes about Muslim women and preserving her cultural heritage. Born and raised in a region where traditions run deep, Limpao embodies strength and leadership within her community.
Dressed in her hijab, Limpao views the headscarf as a symbol of her empowerment rather than silence. She actively confronts misconceptions that Maranao women have limited education or expression, using her platform to teach youth that their culture is a source of identity and strength, not restriction.
Limpao's advocacy work extends beyond workshops and leadership. She has been recognised with titles such as Hiyas sa Panaghiusa 2024 and has performed publicly to showcase Maranao culture, further promoting pride and awareness of her heritage. Her participation in cultural events and visibility as a confident leader helps preserve Maranao traditions in a changing world, making her an important figure in both cultural preservation and social empowerment.
The preservation of heritage for indigenous and Moro youth goes beyond participating in festivals and wearing cultural attire. For Limpao, it involves the personal and cultural significance of traditional attire like the hijab. She sees the hijab as a reminder of her voice for her people, underscoring the importance of personal identity and voice in the preservation of heritage.
The preservation of heritage in a fast-changing world is a quieter, ongoing fight for many indigenous and Moro youth. Limpao's actions and words highlight the importance of passing down skills and ensuring that identity is not just a performance for an audience. Every August, the streets in an unspecified location burst with color, music, and dance, celebrating traditions centuries old. But for Limpao and others like her, the fight for cultural preservation continues, challenging long-held stereotypes and ensuring that their identity thrives in a modern world.
- Muslima Limpao's advocacy work not only includes cultural events but also extends to her social media presence, where she uses pop-culture and entertainment to further promote Maranao heritage and challenge stereotypes.
- Within the fashion-and-beauty industry, Limpao is a pioneer, showcasing the beauty and elegance of traditional Maranao attire, thereby merging cultural-travel with contemporary lifestyle.
- As a celebrated figure, Limpao has shared the spotlight with celebrities, using her influence to bring attention to the importance of cultural preservation and the empowerment of Muslim women.
- To continue the preservation of Maranao traditions, Limpao emphasizes the need for travel and exploration, encouraging indigenous and Moro youth to experience and embrace their cultural roots, thereby fostering a deeper connection to their heritage.
