Filipino Folk Dances part 2: Tribal Suite

[Noel F. Tamayo]

The following is part 2 of 5 in a series of Filipino Folkdance
descriptions. These and other dances can be found at Noel's Pilipino
Folkdance Glossary at http://www.netcom.com/~ntamayo/folkdance.html

TRIBAL SUITE

Pockets of cultural minorities live in the style of their forebearers in
the hills and mountains throughout the Philippine Archipelago. The
hillside and interior of Mindanao in the southern part of the
Philippines are inhabited by non-Christian Filipino tribes whose culture
and animistic beliefs predate both Islam and Christianity. Dance for
them is a basic part of life, still performed essentially "for the
gods." As in most ancient cultures, unlike the Muslim tribes in their
midst, their dances are nonetheless closely intertwined with
ceremonials, rituals, sacrifice, and life.

Binaylan
(bihn-EYE-lahn)
The Bagobo tribe from the central uplands of Mindanao originated this
dance which imitates the movement of a hen, her banog, or baby chicks,
and a hawk. The hawk is sacred, and it is believed that the hawk has the
power over the well-being of the tribe. The hawk tries to capture one of
the chicks and is killed by the hunters.

Pangalitawo
(pahng-AH-lee-TAH-woh)
From the Subanon tribe of Zamboanga del Sur in Mindanao comes this
courtship dance, typically performed during harvest time and other
social gatherings. The female holds shredded banana leaves in each hand,
while the male wields a kalasay, a type of shield.

Pagdiwata
(pahg-dee-WAH-tah)
The Tagbanuas of Palawan perform this dance to show gratitude for a good
harvest and to implore continued protection and favor from the deities.

Tagabili
(tah-gah-BEE-lee)
The Tagabili, also called T'boli, is a minority national group from
South Cotabato, in southwestern Mindanao, which is comparatively
sophisticated in language, dress, and mythology. One performance of this
tribe narrates a story about a datu, or prince, who is cursed for
killing his brother in jealously over one of his wives. The Datu's
daughter is to be wed by a likely suitor, but dies as a result of the
curse. In rage, the Datu sets his village in flames.

Tumahik
(TOOH-mah-hihk)
Males of the Yakan tribe, indigenous to Basilan island, practice their
fighting skills in this mock war dance which employs movements borrowed
from Southeast Asian martial arts. Typical maneuvers include traveling
on the knees, quick tumbling, and high kicking.