Exploring Indigenous Music from the Philippines

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Music in the Cordillera Region
   • Vocal Music
   • Instrumental Music
3. Music in Mindoro
   • Vocal Music
   • Instrumental Music
4. Music in Palawan
   • Vocal Music
   • Instrumental Music
5. Music in the Visayas Region
   • Vocal Music
   • Instrumental Music
6. Conclusion

Music in the Philippines: Exploring Cultural Diversity and Artistry

The diverse geography and rich cultural heritage of the Philippines contribute to its vibrant and dynamic music scene. From the towering mountains of Cordillera to the islands of Mindoro, Palawan, and the Visayas region, each area boasts its unique musical traditions. This article delves into the music of these regions, highlighting the characteristics, elements, and significance of their vocal and instrumental ensembles.

1. Introduction

Music, as a dynamic art form, evolves and changes subtly as one explores different regions. The topography, culture, and history of a place greatly influence its musical trends. This is especially evident in the music of the Philippines, a country consisting of 7,107 islands with diverse mountain ranges and separate cultures. In this article, we will focus on the music from the mountains of Cordillera, as well as the islands of Mindoro, Palawan, and the Visayas region.

2. Music in the Cordillera Region

The mountains of Cordillera, located in the northern part of the mainland, act as a natural divide between the eastern and western coasts of the largest island in the Philippines. This geographical feature has contributed to the variations in music found in the Ilocos, Kagan, and Southern Tagalog regions.

Vocal Music

In the Cordillera region, various tribes use several songs in different settings. These songs range from infancy to epic poetry. For example, the Kalinga tribe has songs like "Owivi Tataga," "Kawayaman," and "Apaya." The Tazig tribe, on the other HAND, has the "Langan Bata Batta," and the Subanen tribe has the "Bua." One of the most significant vocal music in Cordillera is the "Hud Hud," an epic poetry performed during rice harvests, weddings, funerals, and wakes. With over 200 stories containing 40 episodes each, the "Hud Hud" revolves around the lives of heroes, heroines, wealth, and culture.

Another remarkable vocal music in Cordillera is the "Abaloy Baddie." Considered the signature form of vocal music for specific cultures in the region, this style focuses on the leader-Chorus form and is mostly improvised without any prior preparations or practice. Cordillera vocal music is characterized by its melismatic nature, where multiple notes are sung into a single Vowel, and its free meter, which allows changes in tempo throughout the song.

Instrumental Music

The tribes in the Cordillera region are no strangers to musical instruments. Vocal music and songs are often accompanied by a variety of instruments categorized into three divisions: metal instruments, bamboo instruments, and STRING instruments. During courtships, a vocal-instrumental ensemble is commonly performed with instruments like the solura y and the kuglug. Love incantations are also set to instrumental music, such as the antang of the Minobo, the cindy and tarasol of the Tawzig, and the dm yu yong, dango agayam saladame, and dang daeng i of the Kaelin ga.

3. Music in Mindoro

Mindoro, an island in the southern part of Luzon, is home to multiple indigenous tribes collectively known as the Mangyans. Like the tribes of Cordillera, the Mangyans live in the mountains, while the Tagalogs reside in the lowlands after migrating to the island.

Vocal Music

The Hanuna Mangyans have developed a particular chant poetry called "Ambahan." This series of chants consists of seven syllables per line and can be sung in various ways, either with a tone or in a conversational manner. Each person can uniquely sing the chant, as there is no set melody for the "Ambahan." The themes covered in these chants include various aspects of daily life, such as childhood, adolescence, courtship, marriage, family, personal and tribal problems, sickness, food, travel, hospitality, friendship, old age, and death.

Instrumental Music

The music of the Mangyan tribes in Mindoro reflects their animistic beliefs, where they worship spirits and natural forces as gods. Apart from its spiritual role, instrumental music is also used for contemporary rituals such as weddings, courtships, festivities, and lullabies. The three major instruments used by the Mangyans are the kudupi, gidget, and kalutang.

4. Music in Palawan

Palawan, a group of islands located at the easternmost part of the Philippines, is home to several ethno-linguistic groups. The music of Palawan aims to imitate the sounds produced by nature, such as the rustling of leaves and the roar of ocean waves.

Vocal Music

Palawan has two main vocal forms: the kuleal and the tulod. The kuleal is a lyrical poem that expresses love between couples. It is often accompanied by the kulilai, a two-stringed lute played by males, and the pagon, a bamboo zither played by females. The tulod, on the other hand, is a chanted form of an epic about heroes and their adventures, which usually begins at night and ends at daybreak.

Instrumental Music

The Basil is an instrumental ensemble in Palawan that consists of one or two sets of big gongs, small ringed gongs called agungs, the sanning, and a drum known as jimble. These instruments are used to produce music that imitates the sounds of nature.

5. Music in the Visayas Region

The Visayas region is the largest collection of islands located in the center of the Philippines. It was the first place explored by the European explorer Ferdinand Magellan, which greatly influenced the culture and music of the region.

Vocal Music

The Visayan region has songs for various occasions and situations, ranging from expressions of love and courtship to children's songs, work songs, and drinking songs. Their musical style often includes a Type of song and dance debate between a man and a woman, known as baileta. Some examples of Visayan songs include romantic songs like "Mathud Nila," children songs like "Polymen Sing Sing," farewell songs like "Danden Soy," and lullabies.

Instrumental Music

The most famous Visayan ensemble is the rondalla, a string ensemble introduced to the Philippines by the Spaniards. It consists of instruments such as the banduria, laud, octavina, guitar, and bajo de arco. Another Visayan musical ensemble is the toltigin, a bamboo and drum ensemble that originated from the natives' use of bamboo to communicate with each other.

6. Conclusion

The music of Cordillera, Mindoro, Palawan, and the Visayas region is culturally diverse and unique. This article has provided an overview and highlighted some examples of their music, both vocal and instrumental. Each region's music reflects its cultural heritage, traditions, and influences. Exploring the rich musical landscape of the Philippines allows us to appreciate and celebrate the diverse artistry and creativity of its people.

Highlights:

• The music of the Philippines is influenced by the country's diverse geography, culture, and history.
• Cordillera, Mindoro, Palawan, and the Visayas region have their unique musical traditions.
• Vocal music in Cordillera includes songs ranging from infancy to epic poetry, while instrumental music features a variety of metal, bamboo, and string instruments.
• The Mangyans in Mindoro have their particular chant poetry called "Ambahan," accompanied by the kudupi, gidget, and kalutang instruments.
• Palawan's music imitates the sounds of nature, with vocal forms like kuleal and tulod and instrumental ensembles like Basil.
• The Visayan region has songs for various occasions and situations, including romantic songs, children's songs, work songs, and drinking songs. The rondalla and toltigin are prominent instrumental ensembles in the Visayas.

FAQs:

Q: What is the significance of the Hud Hud in Cordillera music?

A: The Hud Hud is an epic poetry performed during rice harvests, weddings, funerals, and wakes in Cordillera. It consists of over 200 stories with 40 episodes each, revolving around the lives of heroes, heroines, wealth, and culture.

Q: How are the Mangyans' chant poetry called "Ambahan" sung?

A: The "Ambahan" can be sung in various ways, either with a tone or in a conversational manner. Each person can uniquely sing the chant, as there is no set melody.

Q: What instrument is used to imitate the sounds of nature in Palawan music?

A: The Basil ensemble in Palawan uses instruments like big gongs, small ringed gongs, the sanning, and a drum to imitate the sounds of nature.

Q: What types of songs are included in the Visayan region's music?

A: The Visayan region has songs for various occasions and situations, including romantic songs, children's songs, work songs, and drinking songs.