The Lanao Sultanate Political Structure in the 17th Century: Its Traditional Leaders Appointment, Qualifications and Functions

The Lanao datus (chieftains) founded the Pat a Pangampong sa Ranao (The Four-States of Lanao) in 1616. The Four-States of Lanao had evolved into a sultanate which now the Lanao Sultanate. The traditional leaders of Lanao Sultanate consist of several sulutan (sultans), bai-a-labi (sultanas), radia-muda or datu-a-kabugatan (ministers), m’babaya ko taritib/pagawid (governors), radia-laut (army and naval commander), kalis (judges), imāms (prayer leaders), and pananalsilas (genealogists). Studies dealing with the whole spectrum of the political structure of Lanao Sultanate in the 17th century until today is not represented in Philippines literature, in fact there is no published work dealing with the appointment, qualifications and functions of the said traditional leaders of the said sultanate. To fill in this research gap, this paper explores in-depth the appointment, qualifications and functions of the traditional leaders of Lanao Sultanate.