Yakan

Location: Basilan and parts of Zamboanga.

Culture: Known for their colorful woven fabrics, intricate beadwork, and wood carvings. They also practice traditional dances like the sinulog.

Economy: Farming (particularly rice), fishing, and crafting.

The Yakan people have a distinctive culture and are related both culturally and religiously to other Moro groups. Historically, their island was densely covered with yakal trees.

The Yakan are characterized by their tall stature, brown skin, slanting eyes, black hair, and high-bridged noses, making them distinguishable from other ethnic groups in the Philippines.

They are a predominantly Muslim group living on the hillsides of Basilan Island, formerly known as Tanguina. 

During colonial times, the Spanish misnamed them as "Yakan," derived from the word "yakal," and the island's name "Basilan" comes from the words "Basi" (iron) and "Balani" (magnet).

The Yakan preserved an Islamic lifestyle that differs from the majority of the Philippine population. Their belief can be described as Folk Islam, they have two spheres of belief integrating Islamic principles and the more traditional beliefs. 

They follow Saytan, the many spirits in heaven and the natural environment, demonstrating the residual impact of pre-Islamic religious beliefs that have been blended with traditional Islamic practices. This can be traced back to their ancestor offerings, spirit worship, funeral rites, and planting practices.

The Yakan are known as formidable warriors, and they adhere to a strict internal code of honor that defines the circumstances under which a life is taken. A human being is not an animal, hence he has the right to a dignified death. Men should never be murdered while eating or bathing.