Philippine folk dances incorporate influences from immigrants and conquerors and at the same time maintaining distincly Filipino roots. Philippine folk dancing is a true reflection of daily life in the past centuries while enchanting modern audiences at the same time.
There is no exact date as to when dancing became part of our lives in the Philippines. The dances were performed during festivals and remembrances of past military victories, and are still performed during celebrations of birth and weddings in modern times. Many modern folk dance festivals still feature ancient dances performed in colorful costumes used during the tribal period of the Philippines. 카지노사이트
CULTURAL AND FOLK DANCES IN THE PHILIPPINES
The various cultures of the different countries in the world have been made more colorful, beautiful, and vibrant because of folk dances that reflect who they are. The Philippines consists of 7,107 islands, broken down in three groups – Luzon, Visayas , and Mindanao. Each of these areas has different dialects, history, religion, and traditions. Every region also has different influences in their arts, crafts, and ancestral dances. Let’s take a trip and explore the different styles, costumes, dances, and talents of each region Many of the dances you will read about here were actual activities or chores that the Filipinos endured to survive the poor economy and state of the nation.
Luzon, the nothernmost region of the Philippines is rich in traditions and heritage. In traces its cultural influences from Hindu, Buddhist, Spanish, and many other ethnic religious tribes. The cultural folk dances from this region represent all the different factions or tribal groups in one way or another.
The Cordillerans or Igorot is the term or the collective name of several ethnic groups in the Phlippines. These tribes – The Ifugao, Kalinga, Bontoc, Apayao, Ibaloi, kalangaya, and the Kankanaey in benguet mostly inhabit the mountains of Luzon.
THE DANCES OF LUZON
BANGA DANCE OR POT DANCE
A contemporary performance of the kalinga of the Mountain Province in the Philippines. This dance illustrates the languid grace of a tribe otherwise known as fierce warriors.
This dance shows the skill and strength of the women as they carry heavy laden clay pots, or banga, full of water. Their grace and agility while balancing the heavy pots is a testament of how the Filipino strength and determination to survive hardship. Young Igorot girls start only one pot. But, of course, as they become older and more experienced, they are expected to provide more water for their family. Pots could be as high as five or six stacks. Women would all gather and march to the river each day, singing a native song accompanied by the flute and banging of bamboo on iron pots in the dance. 안전한카지노사이트
IDAW
This dance has many names and different versions. It depicts the hunting ritual performed before a tribal war. The tribesmen would go out and look up and watch out for the scared Idaw bird which is said to lead the tribe to victory. Considering the Philippines as a very humid country, the traditional clothing was made to cover not much of the body.
As one of the cordillera dances, this Bontoc dance depicts a war ceremony performed by warriors of rival tribes. Idaw, meaning “bird” is celebrated because it was the omen bearer of war.
The family is the basic structure of family life among the Itneg or Tinggian people. 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 and shaking them in the manner of drying rice,while the men are going in circles in the backround like they are tilling the land. Then, the women put down the baskets, fold cloth into a baby while the husbands stand aside. Afterward, the women will turn over the baby to their hundbands, pick up the bamboo, and start tilling the land while the men hold and cradle the babies.
RAGRAGSAKAN
The Kalingga borrowed the beautiful word “ragragsakan” from the Ilocano, which means “merriment”. The two biggest occasions for a ragragsakan in a kalinga village are for the homecoming of successful head takers and the culmination of peace pact between warring tribes. Kalinga maidens balance “labba” or woven baskets on their heads, wave colorful tribal blankets, and sing short salidumay songs as they snake through the terrace dikes and skip through breaks in the path. This dance portrays the walk of the industrious kalinga women, carrying water pots on their heads and wearing the colorful hand-woven “blankets of life” around their neck. 카지노사이트 추천
The central islands of the Philippines, are grouped into three sections: Central, Eastern, and Western. The peope in the region consist of Autronesians, Negritos, and the Animist Tribal Group. Visayas became a melting pot for many different tribes and cultural backgrounds. 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.
THE DANCES OF VISAYAS
MAGLALATIK
The Maglalatik is an indigenous dance from the Philippines in which coconut shell halves that are secured onto the dancer’s hands and on vests upon which are hng four or six more coconut shell halves. The dancers – all male – perform the dance by hitting one coconut shell with the other.
Originally performed in Biñan, Laguna as a mock-war dance that demonstrates a fight between the Moros and the Christians, this dance is also performed to pay tribute to the town’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador. Moro dancers wear read trousers while the Christian dancers wear blue. All dancers are male with harnesses of coconut shells attached on their chests, backs, thighs, and hips.
SAYAW SA BANGKO
Sayaw sa bangko or Sayaw ed Tapew na Bangko is a dance which originates from pangasinan as researched by Jovita Sison. It is performed by a couple on a narrow bench. They do not compete, but rather complement each other, so that no one falls. Sayaw sa Bangko is usually performed during town fiestas.
SUBLI
The term “subli” is from two tagalog words “subsub” meaning “falling on one’s head” and “bali”, which means “Broken”. This version is originally a ritual dance of the natives of Bauan, Batangas, which is performed during fiestas as a ceremonial worship dance to the town’s icoon, the Holy Cross.
TINIKLING
This is the most popular and best known of the Philippine dances and is honored as the Philippine National Dance. Dancers imitate the tikling bird’s legendary grace and speed by skillfully maneuvering between large bamboo poles. The name “Tinikling” means “bamboo dance” in English.
Considered as one of the oldest dances from the Philippines, Tinikling originated in the island of Leyte in the Visayas. The bird was named “tikling” from which the Tinikling dance got its name. Because of creativity of the people, they imitate the Bird’s movement between branches and stems using bamboo poles.
Mindanao is the southernmost region of The Philippines. It is the second largest island group and its cultural groupings consist of mostly Muslim or “Moro” people, and other ethnic groups such as the Maranao, Tausug, Banguingui, and indigenous tribes known as Lumad.
THE DANCES OF MINDANAO
ASIK
This dance is performed by a solo maiden, adorned with fine beads make-up, and a long head scarf. The maiden would dance to win the favor of her Sultan master. She would give her whole heart and soul into this performance to soften the heart of her master and accept her.
KINI KINI
Kini means the Royal Walk. Maranao women perform this dance with scarves. The beauty of the scarves and the talent and grace in which it is displayed shows their elite social upbringing.
PANGALAY
The pangalay is native to the badjao, who are also known as “Sea Gypsies”. It is a dance that emphasizes the agility of the upper body. The pangalay is commonly performed at weddings and other social gatherings. One will also see some parts of the Singkil in this dance. This dance is sometimes called the Muslim Dance of Four Bamboos.
SINGKIL
The Singkil Dance takes its name from the bells worn on the ankles of the Muslim Princess. 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 nymphs of the forest.
The faces of the dancers are formal and they maintain a dignified pose. Dancing begins at a slow pace which soon progresses to a faster tempo in which dancers skillfully manipulate fans that represent the winds that prove to be auspicious.
CLASSIFICATION OF FOLK DANCE ACCORDING TO NATURE
OCCUPATIONAL DANCES are those that depict the actions of a particular occupation.
BINATBATAN DANCE
The Binatbatan dance is an occupational dance from Paoay, Ilocos Norte. It depicts the beating of cotton pods to separate the seeds drom the fibers. Weavers in Paoay often engage themselves in abel-making contests. Dancers maneuver in and out of parallel batbat sticks, each about 18 inches long. Th rhythm and speed of the beating of the sticks make for a lively and colorful display.
MAG-ASIK
This is a Tiruray dance for Girls, performed in Nuro, Cotabato. According to the natives the word “mag-asik” means “to sow seeds”. The dancers go around the cloth with small, heavy steps but with graceful hand and arm movements. The dance consists of two parts, which the natives call “komaligue” and “mag-asik”.
RELIGIOUS/CEREMONIAL DANCES are those associated with religion, vows and ceremonies.
DUGSO
Dugso is a dance which originated from Bukidnon in Northeast Mindanao. Dancers perform this as an entertainment for the dieties, to make them feel more comfortable during the fiesta that wwas organized for them. It was originally thought that this dance was performed only during harvest time or upon the birth of a male heir. Women would wear colorful feathered head dresses, plaid costumes, and anklets.
COMIC DANCES are those that depict funny movements for entertainment
KINOTON
Is a comic dance from Ilocos Sur. It depicts the movement of a person bitten by ants.
MAKONGGO
(there’s no picture for makonggo)
A comic dance which originated in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. A solo performer imitates the movements characteristic of a monkey, its gestures and grimaces.
GAME DANCES are those that are done with play elements.
LUBI-LUBI
Lubi-Lubi is a bicolano dance which is a combination of a simple folk and social steps. Literally, lubi means coconut. According to the BIkolanos this dance originated in Leyte and Samar where it is still danced like the Balitaw. It is also popular in Albay and Sorsogon.
WEDDING DANCES are those dances that are performed during wedding feasts.
PAGKAWIN
The wedding ceremony is called Pagkawin. The festivity opens with the Pahanda or presentation of dowry. Relatives of the groom present to the relatives of the bride traditional dowries that usually include that Salap-pa, A bras box containing money, jewelry, other valuables, and all important betel nut.
COURTSHIP DANCES depict the art of courtship.
SUA-SUA
This is a dance from Jolo, Sulu. Literally, “Sua-sua” means “small orange plant”. According to the Moros of the older generation, the movements in this dance have been modified and modernized. Dancers sing as they perform the dance. The natives often repeat the dance as many times as they like or until they are made to stop.
FESTIVAL DANCES are those which are suitable for special occasions.
PANDANGGO
Pandangggo sa Ilaw or “Fandango” is a very popular folk dance in the Philippines. It is said to have originated from Mindoro, This dance of lights simulates fireflies at dusk and at night. The phrase “sa ilaw” is Tagalog for “in light” and it refers to the three oil lamps that are dances has to balance. The oil lamp is called tinghoy.
SAGAYAN-PHILIPPINES
A philippine war dance performed by both the Maguindanao and Maranao depicting in dramatic fashion the steps their hero, Prince Bantugan, took upon wearing his armaments, the war he fought in, and his subsequent victory afterwards.