Museums in Cagayan de Oro

Along the northern coastline off the island of Mindanao in the Philippines lies the Cagayan de Oro Museums. The city of Cagayan de Oro, also known as The Gateway to Northern Mindanao or The City of Whitewater Rafting, offers two museums found amidst caves, archaeological sites and memorials. Each museum has a variety of pieces representing the rich history of the original natives (known as the Huluga settlement) right up to the thriving urban center it has become.

Museum of Three Cultures

The first is the Museum of Three Cultures in the Capitol University melding archaeological treasures with rare antiquities of three dominant cultures: Moro, Christian lowland and lumad (the indigenous people from about 350 A.D.). Brassware, weaponry and musical instruments all adorned with the trademark Maranao vine patterns can be found. The crown jewel, however, is the Muslim ceremonial sword collection representing the great power of the Sultan called the Danganan. This collection has swords ranging up to fifteen feet in length with one ten foot blade formerly owned by Sultan Malimala. Over three hundred years old this spectacular weapon still has the Sultan’s motif carved in the beak shaped handle.

Museo del Oro

The second is the Museo del Oro located on the campus of Xavier University mostly covering traditional anthropological and folk culture of Northern Mindanao. On permanent display is the rare collection of artifacts from a Huluga cave including skeletons, stoneware and Indian glass beads. In addition, a vast range of preserved historical pieces representing the Bukidnon and Maranao culture are on display.