The is a woven Maranao multi-colored cloth bearing variety of Okir designs. The well-organized shapes indicate the weaver's village of origin. The garment can function as blanket, bedsheet, dressing room, hammock, prayer mat and for cultural events of the Maranaos. A newborn is wrapped in a ''malong'' and as he grows this piece of cloth becomes a part of his daily life. When he dies, he is once again wrapped in a ''malong''.
The ''malong'' has evolved into its modern use, a quick way to gather things by strapping the four corners forming a big pouch. It was said that the plight of the Maranaos can retold with a malong. At the height of the war in some parts of Mindanao , the villagers evacuate with their things packed in ''malong''.
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