Tinikling:

The National Dance of The

Philippines
With Bamboo Poles
 One of the most popular
folk dances in the
Philippines is the
Tinikling. The traditional
Why is the dance called Tinikling?
dance, which usually
Wondering how this type of dance involves a pair of two
got its name? The Tinikling is said to
be named after the long-legged bird
bamboo poles, is
called the tikling in the Philippines. considered to be the
This bird belongs to a number of rail oldest in the country and
species, but the name typically
refers to the slaty-breasted Rail
its appeal has spread
(Gallirallus striatus), the buff- across the globe –
banded Rail (Gallirallus particularly to the
philippensis), and the barred rail
(Gallirallus torquatus). United States.
Stories behind the dances’ origin
According to historical accounts, the
Tinikling dance originated during the
Spanish occupation in the Philippines –
particularly on the island of Leyte. Rice
farmers on the Visayan Islands usually
set up bamboo traps to protect their
fields, yet tikling birds dodged their
traps. Locals imitated the birds’
movement, and supposedly, that’s
how this dramatic traditional folk
dance was born.
However, according to legend, the
dance originated during the Spanish
colonial era when locals were ordered
by the King of Spain to work on large
plantations. Those who did not follow
his orders or worked too slowly were
given a punishment: to stand in
between two bamboo poles.
These poles were then clapped
together in an effort to beat the
Filipino natives’ feet. To escape this
punishment, the Filipinos would jump
when the two poles were about to be
clapped. This practice of jumping
between the poles eventually
transformed from a challenge into an
artistic dance.
 Dancing the Tinikling
Alongside the Cariñosa dance, the Tinikiling is considered a
national dance in the Philippines and almost every Filipino
knows how to do it. Since it’s a dramatic dance, it’s usually
performed on special occasions like traditional Filipino
festivals or at school and theater performances. Some say
that this dance represents most Filipinos’ two main
character traits: They’re resilient and fun-loving.

To dance the Tinikling, you need two pairs of bamboo poles

that are each 6-12ft long (about 1.8-3.7m). Female dancers
usually wear a dress called a Balintawak (a colorful dress
with arched sleeves) or a Patadyong (a checkered loose skirt
that’s often worn with a thin-fibered blouse). Males wear an Today, there are modified
embroidered formal shirt that’s untucked called the Barong versions of this Filipino
Tagalog—which is the country’s national outfit for Filipino traditional folk dance around
men. The Barong is usually paired with red trousers. All the world – some increase the
dancers perform the Tinikling while barefoot. number of dancers or poles and
even change the music or
While only two bamboo poles are involved in this dance,
choreography. Some US schools
some versions use four bamboo poles, where the pairs are
even incorporate this dance into
arranged in a cross-like pattern. To avoid getting their ankles
their curriculum, but they use
caught in between the poles, dancers must listen closely
pop music to keep the dance
and follow the rhythm of the music.
up-to-date.