What is Literature?

- Derives from Latin word “Littera”, meaning “a letter of the alphabet” and referring to
an acquaintance with a written word.
- Literature refers to written works of imaginative, artistic, or intellectual value,
typically characterized by the use of language to convey ideas, emotions, and
experiences. It encompasses various forms of written expression, such as novels,
poems, plays, essays, short stories, and other literary works.

During pre-colonial period, Filipinos show a rich past through folk riddles, narratives, songs,
indigenous rituals, and memetic dances. However, Riddles is the most popular among them.

Riddle is a tricky phrases or questions that have double meanings and are usually challenging to solve or
answer.

- Mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed.

- Sometimes called, brain teasers
- It allows for deeper thinking regarding to a questions.

EARLY FORMS OF LITERATURE

Folk Lyric or Folk Song - expresses love, hope, aspiration, and way of life

Examples of Folk Lyrics or Folk Songs

1. Children’s Song - It is a song that adults sing to teach children.
2. Lullabies - It is quiet and gentle song sung to send a child to sleep.
3. Serenade - a complimentary vocal or instrumental performance and given outdoors at
night for a woman being courted.
4. Work Songs - sung by laborers, as in the fields, with a marked rhythm matching the
rhythm of their work.
5. Songs on human relationship – songs that about love or heartbreak, or it can be about
unity of one community or team.
Folk Narrative or Tales – Stories that are passed down by mouth rather than writings. It can be
also varied and magical.
Examples of Folk Narrative
1. Myth – refers to the stories that tells about the explanation of the origin of things but
often involves god, goddesses, and other mythological characters. i.e. How was the world
was made, Bathala, Tikbalang, Aswang.
2. Legend – refers to the stories that often tell about the origin of things which may be true
or not. i.e. Alamat ng Sampalok, Alamat ng Pinya, Alamat ng Bayabas.
3. Fable -
4. Folk Epic – refer to stories that tell about the exploits and adventures of a hero. i.e. Biag
ni Lam-ang, Indarapatra and Sulayman.

Other Forms of Literature

1. Parable - short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle.
Usually found in the Bible. i.e. Parable of Prodigal Son, Parable of the Ten Virgins
2. Fairy tale – is a folkloric such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, witches, giants, and others.
It is an unbelievable featuring magic and supernatural. i.e. Snow White, Frozen.