HAJA AMINA APPI

(June 25, 1925 - April 2, 2013)

In the Philippine province of Sulu, in the town of Jolo, Haja Amina Appi was born on February 2, 1939. She belonged to the primarily Muslim Tausug ethnic group, which is found in the southern Philippines.

​

Haja Amina Appi had an early interest in traditional Tausug music and picked up the two-stringed instrument gamaba't. She mastered the instrument and rose to prominence as a key figure in Tausug music and dancing.

​

Haja Amina Appi has given performances at several cultural gatherings and festivals throughout her career, both domestically and abroad. She was a fervent supporter of keeping traditional Tausug music alive and used her singing and campaigning to spread the word about Tausug culture.

​

Haja Amina Appi garnered various accolades for her services to Philippine art and culture, including the 1993 Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (National Living Treasure) award.

​

At the age of 79, Haja Amina Appi passed away on April 2, 2013. Younger Tausug artists and cultural supporters continue to draw inspiration from and be influenced by her legacy.