Etymology and origin

Its name was derived from the Maranao word tamparan which literally means "frontge."

During the American colonial presence in the country Sultan Mangking Sugador was appointed by the American government as Municipal District President, a position equal to the rank of Municipal Mayor, although lesser in power than the latter. When asked by the American Officials about his name, the Sultan said “I am the Sultan of Tamparan,” referring to the dowa ka lokus-tribal leaders of Tamparan. Sultan Mangking Sugador became popular by his royal title that American officials started calling the town Tamparan.

Declaration

The creation of the Municipality of Tamparan could be traced way back to the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines under then-President Manuel L. Quezon. It was in the year 1940 President Quezon issued an Executive Order known as Commonwealth Act No. 592 creating Dansalan (now Marawi City) as a regular municipality and Tamparan as its municipal district covering the areas (now municipalities) of Masiu, Taraka, Poona-Bayabao, Lumba Bayabao, Maguing, Mulondo, Bumbaran and Wao.

Tamparan District became a regular municipality on September 28, 1960, by virtue of Executive Order No. 405^[4] and consequently declared Islamic Municipality pursuant to Batas Pambansa (PB) Number 33 on June 4, 1984.

Barangays

Tamparan is politically subdivided into 44 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Topography

The Municipality lies on the plain and slightly sloppy area hence erosion is less. But due to its location along the lake, some of the areas are affected by the rise and fall of the lake water level.

Climate

The month of February has the lowest average temperature of 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) and the month of April has the highest with 28.8 °C (83.8 °F). A stable north-west wind blows from January to September. In the months of October and November, the wind blows either north-west or north–south.

Generally, the municipality is under the fourth type of climate characterized by even distribution of rainfall through the year. The heaviest rain is experienced in the months of January, May, and July. Dry months are September and November.

Language and ethnicity

The majority of the Tamparanian (or Itamparanen in Mëranaw) traces their roots to Meranao ethnicity although there are also Tagalog, Bisaya and other ethnicities who migrated in the town. The vernacular language is Filipino in the form of Mëranaw, while Tagalog and English are the languages also widely used in education and business throughout the town.

Religion

The majority of Tamparanian are Muslims. Sunni Islam is the predominant religion and widely practiced. Many people have studied Islamic (Muslim) and Arabic education both within the country and abroad. Other religious groups such as Christian could also be found in town.