Pre-Colonial Literature

WEEK 2
PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

This existed before the Spanish Colonization in the 1500.

 RIDDLES
Riddles are expression in rhymes using one or two images
that refer to a particular thing or object that has to be
guess. Riddles are used for entertainment, mental
exercises and amusement. Riddles are use by Filipinos to
pass away time and to show their intelligence . . . it is
entertaining and fun.
 RIDDLES
Commonly it is composed of two lines.
1. States a fact (clue)
2. Meant to confuse (brain teaser)

Figure of Speech

Simile – comparison with the use of as or like

Metaphor – comparison of things without the use of as or like.
 PROVERBS
Philippine proverbs are further illustrated to be ornaments to language, words of
ancestors handed down from one generation to another, and as wisdom gained from
experience, which can be quoted to express a sentiment, a statement, or an opinion.
Apart from this, Filipino proverbs are also used to prevent offending other
individuals. This is one example of such a proverb: Bato-bato sa langit, 'pag tinamaan
huwag magagalit, meaning "a stone thrown heavenward, if you get hit on its way
down, don't get mad." Equipped with the appropriate and timely proverb, a Filipino
can communicate empathy, and might be able to convince another person leading to
the closure of an argument. Some Filipino proverbs are also intended to provide a
warning, a lecture, an advice, and as a supporting statement for a particular viewpoint
or issue. Some proverbs are used if you don’t want to hurt somebody’s feeling.
 PROVERBS
Proverbs are called salawikain or sawikain in Tagalog or sarsarita in Ilocano. Like most
proverbs the world over, Philippine proverbs contain sayings which prescribes norms,
imparts a lesson or simply reflects standard norms, traditions and beliefs in the
community.

(1) proverbs expressing a general attitude towards life and the laws that govern life;
(2) ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and condemning certain vices;
(3) proverbs expressing a system of values;
(4) proverbs expressing general truths and observations about life and human nature;
(5) humorous proverbs
(6) miscellaneous proverbs.
 POETRY
 Extension of Southeast Asian cultures
 Product of formative age
 Close to religious and political organizations of the ancient Filipinos
 Ancient Filipino verses were addressed to the ears rather than to the eyes
 Verses composed and sung were regarded as group property
 Versification
Octosyllabic – legendary and religious poems
Dodecasyllabic - romance
 MYTH
A tale that involves the gods of old.
Deals with a conflict among the gods themselves, or ways in which
gods would reveal themselves as unique characters unto the lowly
creatures of the Earth, including man. Legends of creation usually
involve spirits or gods or just an omnipotent God.
Religious stories that explain how the world and humanity develop into
their present form.
Considered to be true among the people who develop them.
Describes the creation of the earth.
 LEGEND
Involves a miracle or curse invoked in the
name of, or by the hand of, a higher power.
 EPIC
• Long narrative poems in which a series of heroic
achievements or events.
• Heroic deeds of divine beings and people in war or
travel.
• Varied, exotic and magical.
• Ethno-epic
• Sung or chanted during harvests, weddings or funerals.
 FOLK SONGS
A form of folk lyric which expresses the people's
hopes, aspirations and lifestyles.
Repetitive and sonorous, didactic and naïve
Traditional songs and melodies
Inspired by the reaction of the people to their
environment
 FABLE/TALE
Short narrative that revolves around particular
moral lessons.
Animals are the heroes in most fables
They are made to stand for certain traits of the
human race and to teach the ways of the world
through vivid characterization and lively interaction.
 REFERENCE
https://www.scribd.com/document/155835431/Riddles-Proverbs
https://www.slideshare.net/thelma_villaflores/precolonial-literature