Vocal Music of Mindoro

Mindoro is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. It is located off the coast of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan.The southern coast of Mindoro
forms the northeastern extremum of the Sulu Sea.

In
past times, it has been called Mai or Mait by Chinese traders and, by Spaniards, as Mina de Oro (meaning “mine of
gold") from where the island got its current name.

Mindoro is also home to the Tamaraw or Mindoro dwarf buffalo (Bubalus mindorensis), which is endemic to the island.The Tamaraw is a bovine
related to the water buffalo and is an endangered species.

The principal language in Mindoro is Tagalog, although in some parts it has been greatly influenced by the nativeVisayan and Mangyan languages.

Hanunó'o language is a language spoken by Mangyans in the province of Mindoro in the Philippines

Division The island was once a single province from 1920 to 1950. On June 13, 1950, by virtue of Republic Act no.505, Mindoro was divided into
Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro.

Occidental Mindoro "Home of the Indigenous Mangyans". Its capital is Mamburao and occupies the western half of theisland of Mindoro
Oriental Mindoro • Calapan City
- the only city in the island and the provin
cial capital. • Rice Granary and Fruit Basketof Southern Tagalog • Banana King and Calamansi King of the region.

CULTURAL PRESERVATION AND MARGINALIZATION OF CULTURE

Mangyan culture Mangyan cultural practices are in danger of vanishing because of the influence of modern lowlandculture. The literature and traditions
of the different Mangyan groups are short of documentation; thus, mainstreamsociety lacks awareness of the beauty of Mangyan culture and its relevance
to Filipino culture as a whole.

Terminologies Damuong- the non-Mangyan groups Hanunuo- they considered themselves as real, true or genuineMangyan. Urukoy- words of wisdom
chanted on festive occasion by elders of the tribe. Luka- bamboo tube wherein theambahan is carved out.

Tau-buid Mangyan traditional house

The Mangyan People

Mangyan groups There are around 300 million indigenous peoples in the world. In the Philippines, of the projected population of 94 million in
2010, about 15% belong to indigenous groups. [AusAID] Mangyan is the collective name forthe eight indigenous groups living in
Mindoro, each with its own name, language, and set of customs: Iraya AlanganTadyawan Tau-buid Bangon Buhid Hanunuo Ratagnon

Mangyan Syllabic Script or Surat Mangyan The Mangyans of SOuthern Mindoro, Philippines, (also referred to asHanunuo Mangyans),are still
practising a pre-Spanish syllabic writing system that was in general use all over thePhilippines at the arrival of the Spaniards in the
16th century. The Mangyan script, together with the Northern-Buhid inMindoro and the Palawan scripts,have been declared by the National
Museum as National Cultural Treasures onDecember 9, 1997.

The Ambahan

The ambahan is the traditional poetry of the Hanunuo Mangyans of Oriental Mindoro. It is usually written on bambooin the Surat Mangyan, a centuries-
old pre-Spanish script. The syllabic script and the ambahan poetry have complementedeach other, contributing to their continued existence today.

Characteristics of Ambahan

It is a rhythmic poetic expression with a meter of seven syllable lines

Each linerhymed at the end.

It is most often presented as a chant without a determined musical pitch or accompaniment bymusical instruments.

An expression in a riddle-like form or in allegorical manner.

Varied in length and complexity.For children it is short and simple For adult, it is lengthier and complicated

Preserved by way of inscribing them on bamboo tubes.

Song content were wide range based on daily life events

The ambahan is a chanted verse, but it is changed plainly or almost recited. The rendering of the ambahan with musical pitch might differ
from person to person. Some might intone the words like in common conversation; others might use it amonotone recitation; or still
others might sing it with a distinct melody.

Hanunuo-Mangyan English Filipino My dear baby, do not cry 'cause the wild cat might hear us! The big one from overthere, with his awful
longstretched howl! Helpless are we if he comes. Our spear is broken still and our bolo bent and blunt! Huwag ka ngang
umiyak Hala ka at mapukaw Pusang-ligaw sa gubat Ngumiyaw, maghihiyaw Wala kitang pambugaw Sibat nati'y nawasak Gulok
nati'y nabingaw!
 Conversational Ambahan language language English amang inang danom balay niyog bagaw mata father mother waterhouse coconut talk eye bansay
suyong kagnan labag bu-anay duyan pamidkan

Vocal Music Iyaya- lullabye Ayung or Ngayung

–
ritual chant Igway- Mangyan province music Marayaw- spirit songPamuybuyen- (legend)- it means fear of water

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Kalutang (Hanunoo-Mangyan)
Name: Kalutang

Classification: Percussion bars

Description: A pair of percussion bars which are struck against each other at specific angles to produce a pitch. These are played as a
solo instrument.

Materials: wood

Ethnolinguisitc Group: Hanunoo-Mangyan

Place: Mindoro Oriental

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