INTRO:

He was conferred the Living National Treasure distinction, and the State provided him a monthly stipend
to allow him to persist with his art. Samaon Sulayman, virtuoso of the two-stringed lute, kutyapi, did
persist, in his gentle manner.

Until he died in 2011, he was the global avatar of that ancient Southeast Asian musical tradition.

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EARLY LIFE:

Bapak Samaon was born in Mama sa Pano, Maguindanao on March 3, 1953. Most of his life was given to
refining the Maguindanao indigenous kutyapi instrument.

The kutiyapi, or kudyapi, is a Philippine two-stringed, fretted boat-lute, carved out of solid soft wood
such as that from the jackfruit tree. It is four to six feet long with nine frets made of hardened beeswax.
Though it is the kulintang that is most popular among the Magindanaon, it is the kutyapi that captivates
with its intimate, meditative, almost mystical charm. It retains a delicate, quiet temper even at its most
celebrative and ebullient mood. But, it is one of the most technically demanding and difficult to master
among Filipino traditional instruments, which is one reason why the younger generation is not too keen
to learn it.

Contrary to this, Sulaiman first learned playing kutyapi at around 13 years old from his uncle. And by the
time he was 35 years old, he has become the most acclaimed kutyapi master and teacher of his
instrument in Libutan and other barangays of Maganoy town, deeply influencing the other
acknowledged experts in kutyapi in the area, such as Esmael Ahmad, Bitul Sulaiman, Nguda Latip, Ali
Ahmad and Tukal Nanalon.

EXPERTISE AND LEGACY IN THE TRADITIONAL MUSIC INDUSTRY:

Sulaiman’s extensive repertoire of dinaladay, linapu, minuna, binalig, and other forms and styles
interpreted with refinement and sensitivity fully demonstrate and creative and expressive possibilities of
his instrument. For this, he achieved the highest level of excellence in the art of playing the kutyapi,
mesmerizing local and international music scholars by his performances. Perhaps less reverently, he had
also been referred to as the “Jimi Hendrix of the kudyapi,” a rock star in the realm of pre-colonial
Philippine music.

But aside from the kutyapi, Sulaiman is also proficient in kulintang, agong (suspended bossed gong with
wide rim), gandingan (bossed gong with narrow rim), palendag (lip-valley flute), and tambul. He was also
a popular barber in his community, and served as an Imam in the Libutan mosque.

For his exemplary artistry and dedication to his chosen instrument, for his unwavering commitment to
the music of the kutyapi at a time when this instrument no longer exists in many parts of Mindanao,
Samaon Sulaiman is worthy of emulation and the highest honors. In 1993, he was given the Living
National Treasure distinction, popularly known as the GAMABA or Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan, which
is given to a person or a group of artists that is recognized by the Philippine government for their
contributions to the nation’s cultural heritage. Even after his death in May 21, 2011, his pioneering of
the technical mastery of a demanding instrument, depth of feeling, and the sparkle of inventiveness had
constantly renewed the possibilities of an already mesmerizing instrument for generations to pass.

The National Commission on Culture and the Arts said in a statement after his death:

“With his creative gifts in enriching the playing techniques, styles, sonic and melodic repertoire of the
instrument, [Sulaiman’s] crowd-drawing performances here and in foreign lands, and his dedication in
imparting his skills to the Maguindanaon youth,… he was truly one of the shining lights in the non-
Western musical heritage of old Philippines. It will be hard to develop another one like him.”