Datu Matu. Our story. Your Story

Gumbaran, a village beside a lake. Her history is sung by an onor. Images of American troops entering the village merge with the ethnic lifestyle summarily reenacted in the oral storytelling and the dances of the warriors (with their kris) and the dama (in their malong). Pocket struggles are short-lived as the Americans overpower the locals. 

Datu Matu celebrates the circumcision of son KHALID. Matu presents a kris, his family's heirloom, to Khalid. The kris was also a gift from Matu's father Datu Malik.

Friends and foe are invited to this kanduri in a grand kalilang (celebration). Arch enemy Datu Awalo unities with Matu through the betrothal of Matu's daughter TARINGTANG to Awalo's eldest son MADUK to end the long rido (feud) between their clans. ABU, Matu's trusted deputy, is however wary of the "unholy" alliance. Datu's warriors are led by the young HASSAN, Abu's son, who is secretly in love with tarintang. Abu knows that Matu has united the bangsa to form a stronger force against the Americans. Abu has no alternative but to obey Matu's directives. Abu warns Hassan to stop his intentions for Tarintang so as not to hamper the unification of the families and thwart Matu's plans. 

Meanwhile, the Americans decree the building of roads, the education of the youth, and  the service of labor of the men. As Datu Matu reluctantly complies under the pressure of law and firepower, Awalo willingly provides labor to the Americans. Nevertheless, the Datus have volunteered only oripen (slaves) for fear that a new religion or ideas may "contaminate" their ways of life. The Americans are led by a COLONEL and the ruthless racist CAPTAIN who is in charge of implementing by the letter all the decrees. Hassan leads a group of laborers on a road project. Being of noble class, he supervises the work of the men but an American soldier rudely orders him to do the same. In the ensuing conflict, Hassan cuts the soldier's head off. He escapes. 

The Americans order the capture of Hassan, now branded bandit. Unable to do this, they capture Datu Matu instead, interrogate him as a collaborating criminal," and in shame tie him to a pole. Abu laments the events, and secretly helps Hassan build a small force against the Americans.

Awalo is aware of Hassah's plans and informs the Colonel about these. As Hassan arrives one night to pick up weapons from Abu's house, he is ambushed  and killed by American soldiers. Matu is released. He fumes at Awalo's treachery. Abu and Matu's warriors decides to become "fighters in the way of God" (f'l sabil-ullah) as the women wail. Matu gives his final blessings. Jihad ensures. But superior firepower defeats the warriors.

Matu and his people are aware of the worsening situation. They attack and kill Awalo. Matu and his people now prepare for war against the Americans evacuating to a forested jungle whre they hole up abd build their last defense. The Americans pool a formidable contingent to capture the "bandits". Men, women, and children tensely await the arrival of the enemy. The Americans surround the kuta (fort). Negotiations continue as the Colonel hesitates to attack for his concern for the children, women, and elders. The Moros are steadfast in their defense. Tensions build up. Negotiations fail. Led by the Captain, the Americans attack. All men, women, children, and elders, despite their staunch defense, are killed or wounded. Khalid, bringing his father's heirloom, the kris, and the banner escapes.

He is Datu Khalid known as Cleven Magan Garban. Who rule their tribes or protect their tribes. I admire him because he was brave enough to stand, peaceful, also he never give up even the enemy is stronger.