The Fading Scribe: A Preliminary Analysis Behind the Decline of Kirim and the Transformation of Salsila in the 21st Century in Marantao, Lanao Del Sur

This paper examines the decline of the Kirim (Batang-Arab) scribe and the transformation of Salsila in the 21st century in Marantao, Lanao Del Sur amid the modernization and conflicts. Utilizing analysis of the Salsila copies and other kirim manuscripts, and the oral account from the elder---it unravels that this is not just a single case but a systematic driven by the following: the prevalence of secular education and the technology making the traditional scripts obsolete; the barriers in introducing kirim in MTB-MLE of the secular education and standard Islamic knowledge; the shift in the bureaucracy of the datus and the enthronement process; and the limited preservation initiatives. The multiple conflicts within Lanao Del Sur from 1990-2010 affected the diffusion of this Scribal knowledge due to the loss of the manuscripts and the passing of the old practitioners. Some used digital platforms to compensate for this, but it didn't change the reality of cultural erosion. Findings highlight that digitization from various organizations and institutions can be a partial resistance act against the eroding knowledge and it should be paired with introductory lessons for the youth to strengthen Meranaw identity. This study bridges the Philippine heritage gaps, emphasizing the vital point of intangible losses in indigenous scripts.