This paper conducted from June to August 2016 is a history of three Mёranawladies kept inside a purposely chosen laminin Binidayan and Taraka Lanao del Sur in the early 20th century. Lamin is a secluded room on the very top of a torogan (royal house) where a Mёranaw lady called liyamin for a time is kept in isolation until marriage. This is a traditional practice of the Mёranaw of Lanao del Sur which partly symbolizes the status and worth of aMёranaw woman. The Mёranaw epic, Darangёn, a United Nation World Heritage, gives an account on this practice. With the onset of women empowerment as well as gender sensitivity issues, this paper intends to enrich the knowledge and academic discussion on gender issues vis a vis culture of the Mёranaw and the impact of Islam and education. To be specific, this paper focuses on the personal experiences of a liyamin, her daily life, social interaction/relation with others, her status as well as her worth in the Mёranaw society. In the community, a liyamin exercised several powers like her intervention in settling rido in the absence of her father and mediating in the reconciliation of the married couple. In this traditional practice, these Mёranaw ladies (liyamin) felt they were protected and loved. But this was a tradition where its real essence are good for memory keeps as Islam according to them gave them better kind of status and worth. Added to this is the powerful impact of education both madaris and of the west. Lamin may be a thing of the past but the essence of being a liyamin continues to remind the Mёranaw how women shouldbe loved, protected now and in the future.
Keywords: Liyamin, Lamin, Bai, Torogan, Mëranaw, Darangën