Muslim Mindanao |

|
Aside from the colorful contributions of its
regional tribes, Mindanao is home to the largest cultural minority in the Philippines -
the Muslims. Brought by Javanese and Middle Eastern traders, Islam is the religion of
approximately 20 percent of the Philippine population.
|
They are known for their mysticism, royalty,
and beauty which are evident in their music and dances. Accompanied by the agong and
kulintang, Filipino Muslim dance is marked by intricate hand and arm movement along with
shimmering costumes.
|
Back to Sayaw
Pilipinas
|
|
Pangalay
Tribe: Badjao
Origin: Zamboanga del Sur
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.
|
Pangalay

(click on the image) |
Back to top
|
Back to Sayaw
Pilipinas
|

|
Burung-Talo
Origin: Tausug
A form of self defense. The dance like movements
show a fight between a hawk and a cat.
|
Back
to top
|
Back to Sayaw
Pilipinas
|
Asik
Tribe: Maguindanao
Origin: Lanao del Sur
A solo slave dance performed by the umbrella-bearing
attendant to win the favor of her sultan master. The girl wears long metal fingernails and
dances and poses in doll-like motions. Asik usually precedes a performance of Singkil.
|
Asik
 |
Back to top
|
Back to Sayaw
Pilipinas
|
Singkil

(click on the image) |
Singkil
Tribe:Maranao
Origin: Lanao, Mindanao
Sinkil 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.
When performed by ladies of the royalty of Lanao,
the dancer is usually accompanied by a waiting lady, who holds a beautifully decorated
umbrella over the Princess' head wherever she goes. Royal princesses to this day in the
Sulu Archipelago are required to learn this most difficult and noble dance.
|
Back to top
|
Back to Sayaw
Pilipinas
|
Tahing Baila
Tribe: Yakan
Yakan dance for a bountiful fish catch where they
imitate their movements
|

|
Back to top
|
Back to Sayaw
Pilipinas
|
Pangsak
 
(click on the image) |
Pangsak
Tribe: Yakan
Origin: Basilan
The Yakan are a Muslim ethnic group in the highlands
of Mindanao. They wear elaborately woven costumes tightly on their bodies. Their dances
involve complicated hand and foot movements. In this dance, a man unties a wrap from his
wife-to-be's waist to wrap around her body and dance with. Both of their faces are dotted
with white paint, to hide their identity from evil spirits.
|
Back
to top
|
Back to Sayaw
Pilipinas
|
Pangalay
ha Pattong

(click on the image) |
Pangalay ha Pattong
Tribe: Badjao
A royal couple balance perilously on
top of bamboo poles imitating the movements of the picturesque southern boat (the vinta)
with colorful sails gliding across the Sulu Sea.
|
Back to top
|
Back to Sayaw
Pilipinas
|

|
Pangalay sa Agong
Origin: Tausug - Sulu
A variation of the Tausug's traditional dance,
Pangalay, two warriors vie for the attention of a lass both using gongs to show their
prowess and skill.
|
Back to top
|
Back to Sayaw
Pilipinas
|
Pagapir
Tribe: Maranao
Origin: Lanao del Sur
Pagaper depicts a royal manner of
"walking" among the Maranao people who live mainly around Lake Lanao. Ladies of
the royal court perform this stately dance in preparation for an important event. The
ladies gracefully manipulate the Aper (apir) or fan, while emphasizing their small steps,
or "kini-kini", which is a sign of good upbringing.
|
Pagapir

(click on the image) |
Back to top
|
Back to Sayaw
Pilipinas
|
Sagayan

(click on the image) |
Sagayan
Tribe: Maguindanao
Origin: Cotabato
Performed by very fierce warriors carrying a shield
elaborately painted with curlicues, rounds, twirls and mirrors which are attached with
shell noisemakers. In their other hand, they carry a double-bladed sword (kampilan) of
metal or wood. Sagayan dancers are dressed in three tiered skirts, brightly colored topper
and headgear embellished with all the imaginable colors of twine trimmings formed into
flowers, balls, sunbursts etc. Long, yellow playful tassels almost hiding the face
surround the headgear.
The dance involves leaping, turning, jumping,
kicking and the rolling movements of a warrior ready to defend his master in battle.
Kamanyang fumes inhaled by the sagayan moves him to perform in a magic-like trance. On
most occasions, this dance is performed before any celebration or gathering to drive away
evil spirits (tunong) and to welcome good fortunes or omen.
|
Kapa Malong Malong
Also called Sambi sa Malong, this Maranao dance
shows the
many ways of wearing a malong, a simple tubular yet highly
functional piece of cloth. The traditional womens version shows this cloth of
countless colorful designs; used mostly as a skirt, woven in many different ways,
depending on the purpose of the wearer. Other ways the women wear malong is as a shawl, a
mantle, or a head-piece.
During more recent dance documentation, a mens version was derived. This version
shows in masculine rendition, how men don the malongdisplaying its use as a sash or
waist-band, shorts or bahag, and a head-gear that can be either functional while working
in the fields, or decorative as a turban.
|
Kapa
Malong Malong
 |
Back to top
Source: http://www.likha.org/index.html
|
Back to Sayaw
Pilipinas
|