Osonan: The Royal Funeral Among the Meranaos in Lanao

This study aims to explore osonan, a unique funeral rite for datus among Meranao. Osonan is a house-like structure made up of woods or bamboos and white cloth as a cover that is specially built to pay tribute and honor to a dead noble Meranao datu or bae. It bears social symbolism, economic standing and social status. In this research, other aspects of osonan were explored, its symbolism, relevance and implications to the Meranao culture and society, factors that caused its cease, and how it is perceived by the Meranao nowadays. Now, osonan is rarely practiced due to the penetration of Islam in Lanao del Sur, influence of Meranao educated in Middle East, and apparent social change. Since it is a pre-Islamic practice of Meranao, embracing the religion fully would mean giving up this tradition.