The Confederate States of Lanao (Maranao: Pat a Pangampong sa Ranao, "Four States of Lanao"), also inaccurately known as simply the Lanao Sultanate, is a collective term for the four states (pangampong) of Bayabao, Masiu, Unayan, and Balo-i centered around Lake Lanao in the center of the island of Mindanao, Philippines.
History
Before the Maranaos were invaded by the Sultanate of Maguindanao, it already existed as a separate nation. The Chinese chronicle Zhufan Zhi (諸蕃志) published in 1225, described it as a country southeast of Shahuagong (Sanmalan) in present-day Zamboanga City, a country called "Maluonu", of which this is what the chronicles have to say.
Eventually, the Lanao nation fell under the power of the Maguindanao Sultanate.
Afterwards, though, the lords of Bayabao, Masiu, Unayan, and Baloi seceded from the Maguindanao Sultanate in 1616. The Lanao Sultanate consisted of traditional leaders and forty-three sultans. Fifteen of these sultans headed the fifteen royal houses of Lanao.
As of 2004, the sultanates of Lanao govern themselves within the Republic of the Philippines as the Sultanate League of Lanao. On February 9, 2007, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 602, which founded the Lanao Advisory Council to facilitate the Philippine national government's relations with 16 royal houses in the Lanao area.
See also
Sultanate of Maguindanao
Sultanate of Sulu
References
Former confederations
Former sultanates
Former countries in Philippine history
History of Mindanao
History of Lanao del Sur
History of the Philippines (1565–1898) History of the Philippines (900–1565) States and territories established in 1616