Learning Module 2

Classifications of Dances found in the Philippines

(Dances of the Cordillera Groups)

Intended Learning Outcomes:

 Understand and inculcate the different dances in Cordillera.
 Recognize the different folk dances in Cordillera.
 Administer the different steps of the dances in cordillera.

Cordillera, a name given by the Spanish Conquistadors when they first saw the
mountain ranges. Meaning "knotted rope", the Spanish term refers to the jumbled rolls
and dips of this long-range traversing the northern part of Luzon Island.

Today, if one is to generalize one of the six ethno-linguistic tribes as an "Igorot" is

considered degrading. Living amidst the rice terraces that tower over Northern Luzon
are a people whose way of life existed long before any Spaniard or other foreigners
stepped foot on the Philippines. The Bontoc, Ifugao, Benguet, Apayo, and the Kalinga
tribes reign over Luzon's mountain terrain.

They are pagan people, living simple lives to appease their gods. Their rituals celebrate
their daily lives - a good harvest, health, peace, war, and other symbols of living. Such
traditions have survived the changing scope of the Philippines and the tribes continue
to maintain their cultures that are a part of the colorful cultural fabric known as
Philippine culture.

Banga

     

Banga
Tribe: Kalinga
"Banga" literally mean pots. The Banga or pot dance is a  contemporary performance of
Kalinga of the Mountain Province in the Philippines. This dance illustrate the languid
grace of a tribe otherwise known as fierce warriors. Heavy earthen pots, as many as
seven or eight at a time, are balanced on the heads of maidens as they trudge to the beat
of the "gangsa" or wind chimes displaying their stamina and strength as they go about
their daily task of fetching water and balancing the banga.

B endayan

Bendayan

Origin: Benguet Province, Northern Luzon

Also popularly called Bendian, this circle dance of the Benguet of Mountain Province is
restaged, keeping true to the dance's context and meaning. Long known as a dance to
celebrate the arrival of successful headhunters, the Bendayan has taken a new face. It is
part of every Benguet festivity with the circles slowly giving way to other formations
and interpretations.
 Lumagen

Tribe: Kalinga
Origin: Luzon

When the Kalinga gather to celebrate a happy occasion like the birth of a first-born baby
boy, a wedding, or a budong (peace pact), the Kalinga Festival Dance (Tachok) is
performed. This is danced by the Kalinga maiden. The dance imitates birds flying in the
air. Music is provided by gangsa, or gongs, which are usually in a group of six or more.

M anmanok

    

Manmanok
Tribe: Bago

Three Bago Tribe roosters compete against each other for the attention of Lady Lien.
They use blankets depicting colorful plumes to attract her.
 R agsaksakan

Ragsaksakan
Tribe: Kalinga

This dance portrays the walk of the industrious Kalingga women, carrying water pots
on their heads and wearing the colorful hand-woven "blankets of life" around their
necks. Their walk imitates the climb up the Rice Terraces in the Mountain Provinces of
the Philippines.

S alisid

   
(click on the image)

Salisid
Tribe: Kalinga

The Salidsid is the Kalinga courtship dance, performed by a male and female (and thus
is sometimes called the "cayoo" dance). The dance starts when each of the dancers are
given a piece of cloth called ayob or allap. Usually the most important people in the
village are the second to dance after the host has signified that the occasion is formally
open. The background and meaning in this dance is evident. The male simulates a
rooster trying to attract the attention of a hen while the female imitates the movements
of a hen being circled by a rooster.

S alip

(click on the image)

Salip
Tribe: Kalinga

Tribes in the mountain provinces of Luzon preserve their identity, customs and lore.
Their dances celebrate important events in life such as birth, wedding, victory in war
and thanksgiving. A Kalinga wedding dance is an important celebration. The
bridegroom offers the bride the protection and comfort of his blanket. He simulates the
movements of a rooster at love play, aspiring to attract and seize his love. The bride's
friends are ready to help prepare the bride by offering "bangas" (earthen pots) filled
with fresh water from the mountain spring.

T urayen

Turayen
Tribe: Gaddang
Origin: Cagayan Valley

Gaddang comes from the word ga, meaning "heat" and dang, meaning burned". The
Gaddang live in the middle of Cagayan Valley and speak a language similar to
Ilokano. Most of them converted to Christianity, and those who live alongside
Christianized Ilokano groups have more or less adjusted to settled agriculture of
mixed crops. Small and scattered groups in southeastern Kalinga, eastern Bontoc,
and Isabela regions retain their indigenous religion and practice swidden agriculture
(the cutting back and burning of existing vegetation to produce temporary farming
plots) with supplementary hunting and fishing. In this dance, the Gaddang imitate
birds attracted to tobacco trees.

T arektek

(click on the image)

Tarektek
Tribe: Benguet

Two tareketek woodpeckers view for the attention of three females. One Male
woodpecker rhythmically bang on a brass gong to represent a good voice, while the
other swish about a colorful blanket representing beautiful plumage.
 U yaoy

 
(click on the image)

Uyaoy / Uyauy
Tribe: Ifugao

The Ifugao people are said to be the "children of the earth." The term Ifugao is derived
from the word ipugao which literally means "coming from the earth." The Spaniards,
however, changed it to Ifugaw, a term presently used in referring not only to these
people but also to their province. This Ifugao wedding festival dance is accompanied by
gongs and is performed by the affluent to attain the second level of the wealthy class.
Wealthy people (Kadangyan) who have performed this dance are entitled to the use of
gongs at their death