INTRODUCTION AND DANCES
Countries in the world have their own cultures made more colorful,
beautiful and vibrant because of Folk Dances that are reflection of who
they are. In the east, the Chinese have their symbolic Dragon Dance, the
Japanese have the ancestral dance Bon Odori. In the west the Americans
have their Square Dance. On the other hand, the Philippines will not be
left behind. "The Pearl of The Orient" boast of a varitey of Filipino
Folk Dances.
The Philippines consist of 7107 islands, and is broken down in three groups of islands. The Luzon, Mindano, and Visayas. Each of these regions contain different languages,history, regligon, and traditions. With each region having different influence in thier arts, crafts, and ancestorical dances. Lets take a trip through each region and explore the different styles, costumes, Dances and Talents from Each Region.... As we explore each of the regions and styles, please remember alot of these Cultural and Folk dances represents hardships and daily back breaking tasks, that has turned into a art form. Many of the dances you will read about here were actuall activities or chores that the Filipino endured to survive the poor economy and state of the nation
The Philippines consist of 7107 islands, and is broken down in three groups of islands. The Luzon, Mindano, and Visayas. Each of these regions contain different languages,history, regligon, and traditions. With each region having different influence in thier arts, crafts, and ancestorical dances. Lets take a trip through each region and explore the different styles, costumes, Dances and Talents from Each Region.... As we explore each of the regions and styles, please remember alot of these Cultural and Folk dances represents hardships and daily back breaking tasks, that has turned into a art form. Many of the dances you will read about here were actuall activities or chores that the Filipino endured to survive the poor economy and state of the nation
Traditions and Hertitage - Luzon Region
LUZON - consisting of the tribes such
as Ifugao, Benquet, Kalinga, Bontoc, Apayao, Kalinga, sometimes these are
called Igorot. " But sometimes that is considered degrading ."
Cordillera name also used for some parts the Luzon Region. Northern
most region of the Philippines, Luzon gets it's Cultural influence from
Hindu-Buddist, Spanish and many ethnic regilous tribes. All with
differences and beliefs. But in all the Cultural and Folk Dances from
this region represents all different factions in one way or the other.
Dances of Luzon:
* Dance: Idaw
This
dance sometimes has many names and different versions. Most common is
this dance depicts the hunting ritual performed before a tribal war. The
tribes men would go out and look up and watch for the scared Idaw bird.
Which is said to lead the tribe to victory. Also look at the clothing,
Philippines being a very hot climate, plus the use of as little material
as possible, the traditional clothing was not made to cover much of the
body.
* Dance : Banga
This
dance displays the Igorot women on their way to the river to fetch the
daily water supply for thier familys. It shows the skill and strength of
the women as they would carry heavy laiden clay pots (Banga) full of
water. Their grace and agility while balancing the heavy pots, sometimes
stacks 5 high, is a testiment of the Filipino and how hardships become a
art form and talent. As a young girl you would start with only one pot.
Of course as you become older and more experienced, along with the fact
that you could provide more water for your family in one trip. Pots
could be stacked as high as 5 or 6. The more pots you could carry showed
your skill and also you standing amoung the women of that area. They
would all gather and march to the river each day, singing a native song
which is represented by the flute and banging of bamboo on iron pots in
the dance.
* Dance : Idudu
The
family is the basic structure of family life among the Itneg / Tinggian
poeple. The caring for the Children is shared by both the mother and
father. While the men are clearing the fields, breaking the soil with
bamboo and their feet, the women watch the children. Soon as the men are
done, they take care of the children while the women do back breaking
work. You can see in the dance how the women will take the bamboo
baskets in a shaking fashion like drying the rice, while the men are
going in circles in background like they are toiling the land. Then you
will see the women put down the baskets fold the cloth into a baby while
the husband stands aside. Then the women will turn over the baby to the
husband, pick up the bamboo and start toiling the land while the men
hold and cradle the babies.
* Dance : Ragsaksakan
The word means " Merriment". This dance would be performed after a successful headhunt and also for a peace pact between waring tribles. The colorful hand woven blankets " blankets of life" are worn around the neck while baskets to carry produce or rice are worn upon the head. Some versions of this dance use the " Banga " instead of the basket.
Pride and Honor - Mindanao Region
MINDANAO - this
is the southern most region of The Philippines. Being the second
largest island in the Philippines, its Culture consists of mostly
Muslim or " Moro " people, also composed of other ethnic groups such as
the Maranao, Tausug, Banguingui, and indigenous tribes know as Lumad.
You will see alot of Arabian, and Middle Eastern influence in thier
costumes and dances.
Dances of Mindanao:
Dances of Mindanao:
* Dance : Singkil
Singkil dance takes its name from the bells worn on the ankles of the Muslim princess. Perhaps one of the oldest of truly Filipino dances, the Singkil recounts the epic legend of the "Darangan" of the Maranao people of Mindanao. This epic, written sometime in the 14th century, tells the fateful story of Princess Gandingan, who was caught in the middle of a forest during an earthquake caused by the diwatas, or fairies or nymph of the forest.
The rhythmic clapping of criss-crossed bamboo poles represent the trees that were falling, which she gracefully avoids. Her slave loyally accompanies her throughout her ordeal. Finally, she is saved by the prince. Dancers wearing solemn faces and maintaining a dignified pose being dancing at a slow pace which soon progresses to a faster tempo skillfully manipulate apir, or fans which represent the winds that prove to be auspicious. The dancers weave expertly through criss-crossed bamboos.
* Dance : Kini Kini
Kini means the Royal Walk. Maranao women performed this dance with scarves. The beauty of the scarve and the talent and grace in which it is displayed. Shows their elite social upbringing.
Singkil dance takes its name from the bells worn on the ankles of the Muslim princess. Perhaps one of the oldest of truly Filipino dances, the Singkil recounts the epic legend of the "Darangan" of the Maranao people of Mindanao. This epic, written sometime in the 14th century, tells the fateful story of Princess Gandingan, who was caught in the middle of a forest during an earthquake caused by the diwatas, or fairies or nymph of the forest.
The rhythmic clapping of criss-crossed bamboo poles represent the trees that were falling, which she gracefully avoids. Her slave loyally accompanies her throughout her ordeal. Finally, she is saved by the prince. Dancers wearing solemn faces and maintaining a dignified pose being dancing at a slow pace which soon progresses to a faster tempo skillfully manipulate apir, or fans which represent the winds that prove to be auspicious. The dancers weave expertly through criss-crossed bamboos.
* Dance : Kini Kini
Kini means the Royal Walk. Maranao women performed this dance with scarves. The beauty of the scarve and the talent and grace in which it is displayed. Shows their elite social upbringing.
* Dance : Pangalay
A pangalay native to the Badjao, sometimes known as the "Sea Gypsies." Pangalay is a dance that emphasizes the agility of the upper body. The rhythmic bounce of the shoulder with simultaneous alternating waving of arms are the basic movement of this dance. The pangalay is commonly performed at weddings and other social gatherings. You will also see some parts of the Sinkgil in this dance also. Another part of this dance is also called the Muslim four Bamboos.
* Dance : Asik
This
is performed by a solo madien, adorned with fine beads and make up,
long head scarf. She would dance to win the favor of her Sultan master.
Many time the girls would dance to win the hearts of her master or to
make up for a wrong she had done. She would give her whole heart and
soul into this performance to soften the heart of her master to accept
her.
VISAYAS - being the Central Island of
The Philippines, Visayas is also broken down into three sections.
Central , Eastern, Western. Consisting of Austronesians, Negritos, these
we Animist Tribal Group. Many others tribes from around surrounding
island would come after the downfall or break up of thier tribes.
Visayas became a melting pot for many different Tribes and Cultural
backgrouds. You will find Arbian, Spanish, and some Western influences
in the dances of this region. You will see that the dances of the
Visayas are more upbeat and exciting, not so much in Drama and tribal
meanings as other regions.
Visayas Dances:
* Dance : Sayaw Sa Banko
This
dance is native to the barrio of Pangapisan, Lingayen, Pangasinan, and
demands skill from its performers who must dance on top of a bench
roughly six inches wide.
* Dance : Tinikling
Tinikling
is considered the national folkdance with a pair of dancers hopping
between two bamboo poles held just above the ground and struck together
in time to music. Originated from Leyte Province, this dance is in fact a
mimic movement of “tikling birds” hopping over trees, grass stems or
over bamboo traps set by farmers. Dancers perform this dance with
remarkable grace and speed jumping between bamboo poles.
* Dance : Subli
The
term “subli” is from two tagalog words “subsub” meaning falling on head
and “bali”, which means broken. Hence, the dancers appear to be lame
and crooked throughout the dance. This version is originally a ritual
dance of the natives of Bauan, Batangas, which is shown during fiestas
as a ceremonial worship dance to the town’s icon, the holy cross.
* Dance : Maglalatik
Originally
performed in Binan, Laguna as a mock-war dance that demonstrates a
fight between the Moros and the Christians over the prized latik or
coconut meat during the Spanish rule, this dance is also shown to pay
tribute to the town’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador. It has a
four-part performance such as the palipasan and the baligtaran showing
the intense battle, the paseo and the escaramusa- the reconciliation.
Moro dancers wear read trousers while the Christian dancers show up in
blue. All dancers are male; with harnesses of coconut shells attached on
their chests, backs, thighs and hips.