This book is a collection of writings on Mindanao from 1890 to 1990, chosen because 1990 marked the official recognition of "Mindanao literature." The editor compiled a century's worth of writings, dividing the book into two periods: pre-independence colonial literature and post-war to modern literature. It includes all literary genres, including oral literatures translated into English, and offers a historical context for the development of literature on the island.

The anthology is an ongoing archival project aimed at inspiring local writers, researchers, and educators to develop and sustain their own literary and historical archives. A literary map in the book locates storytellers within Mindanao's regions, emphasizing the importance of local history, literature, and arts.

The book acknowledges its imperfections but was written to prove that such a project can and should be done. It encourages others to continue and expand upon this work, embracing uncertainties and the evolving nature of literary and historical documentation.