Torogan

Torogan
Bahay Lakan
Model of Torogan Marano at Cockington Green Gardens
General information
Status	National Cultural Treasure
Type	Traditional Tagalog, Visayan and Maranao palace
Architectural style	Filipino
Country	Philippines
Technical details
Material	Wood
Floor count	One

The Torogan was a symbol of high social status. Such a residence was once a home to a Lakan, Rajah's sultan or Datu in the Philippine archipelago. The best-known are Torogans in Dayawan, Marawi City and some others located around Lake Lanao.

A Torogan is elevated above the ground by its columns cut from trees of huge girth. Its walls are covered with plywood sticks and the roof thatched with dried coconut leaves. There is no interior partition, so it appears as a huge hall. Apart from the basic elements of this structure, it is intricately engraved with the flowing geometries of the Maranaw design system called okir. A Torogan will never be complete without the legendary bird, Sarimanok being displayed inside. Furniture is also common among Maranaws.

The Kawayan Torogan, built by Sultan sa Kawayan Makaantal in Bubung Malanding, Marantao, Lanao del Sur, the last remaining habitable Torogan, was declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines in 2008.

There are also existing torogans in various locations in Lanao such as the Dayawan Torogan of Marawi and Laguindab Torogan of Ganassi. All torogans are in need of massive funding for their rehabilitation. These collection of torogans from various towns in Lanao are being pushed to be included in the tentative list of the Philippines in the UNESCO World Heritage List.