6 Characteristics of Pre-Spanish Literature

1. Epics. They are long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements or events, usually
of a hero, are dealt with at length. Usually, it is chanted or sung on multiple occasions. Nobody can
determine which epics are the oldest because in their translations from other languages, even in English
and Spanish. Across the country, each tribe usually came up with at least one epic. Popular examples
include the Ilocano epic Biag ni Lam-Ang, the Ifugao epic Hudhod at Alim, the Ibaloy epic Kabunlan and
Bendian, the Tagalog epic Kumintang, the Palawan epic Kudaman, the Panay-Bisaya epic Maragtas at
Hinilawod the Manobo epic Tuwaang Midsakop, the Muslim epic Bantugan

2. Legends. Legends are a form of prose the common theme of which is about the origin of a thing,
place, location, or name. The events are imaginary, devoid of truth, and unbelievable. Old Filipino
customs are reflected in these legends. It aims to entertain. Popular examples of this are the following:
Ang Alamat ng Pinya, Ang Alamat ng Bayabas, Ang Alamat ng Mangga

3. Folk Tales. Folk tales are made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror, and humor where
one can derive lessons about life. These are useful to us because they help us appreciate our
environment, evaluate our personalities, and improve our perspectives in life. Popular examples are The
Story of Juan Tamad, Si Juan at ang mga Alimango, Ang Araw at ang Buwan, Ang kuwento ni Maria
Makiling

4. Proverbs. These are practical observations and philosophies of everyday life that are written life
that are written usually in a rhyming scheme. These have been customarily used and served as laws or
rules on good behavior by our ancestors. Proverbs were known as kasabihan in Tagalog, panultihon, or
pagya among the Cebuano and humbaton among the Panay-settlers.

Nasa Diyos and awa, nasa tao ang gawa. (To be merciful is God’s, while to act is man’s.)

Basically, this proverb tells us not only to pray for blessings but to work for them. God will be gracious to
people who act and help themselves.

5. Songs. It is one of the oldest forms of Philippine literature that emerged in the preSpanish
period. These range from courtship songs or serenades (harana), lyrics for unrequited love (kundiman) to
lullabies (Oyayi). Other songs were intended for activities shared by the members of the community.
There was a song for rowing (soliranin), for fishing and boating (talindaw). There were also songs for
religious rituals performed by Babaylan.

6. Riddles. These are usually questions or statements intentionally phrased to require ingenuity in
ascertaining its answer or meaning, typically presented as a game. In the precolonial times, it is a way of
entertainment because it is used in a battle of wits, where locals young and old join and/or watch to see
who is the smartest. Its unique characteristic is their flippant nature-they seem to be referring to
something laughable, but the answer is more serious than expected.

Directions: Identify which type of Pre-Colonial Literature these mentioned texts belong to. 2 points each
correct answer.

A. Epic B. Legend C. Folktale D. Proverbs E. Riddles F. Songs

1. “Biag ni Lam-ang”

2. “Ang Kwento ni Juan Tamad”

3. “May pakpak ang balita, may tainga ang lupa.”

4. “Heto na si Kaka, bubuka-bukaka”

5. “Hinilawod”

6. “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan”

7. “Ang sakit sa kalingkinan ay ramdan ng buong katawan.”

8. “Hudhod at Alim”

9. “Si Pagong at Matsing”

10. “Sitsiritsit Alibangbang”

11. “Leron-leron Sinta”

12. “Hindi pari, hindi hari, nagdadamit ng sari-sari.”

13. “Catalina of Dumaguete”

14. “Ang Alamat ng Pinya”

15. “Bibingka ng hari, hindi mo mahati.”

16. “Ang Pinagmulan ng Bayabas”

17. “Bidasari”

18. “Aanhin ang palasyo kung ang nakatira ay kuwago?”

19. “Si Juan at ang mga Alimango”

20. “Dandansoy”