Philippine DanceCordillera DancesCordillera, a name given by the Spanish Conquistadors when they first saw the mountain ranges. Meaning "knotted rope", the Spanish term refers to the jumbled rolls and dips of this long-range traversing the northern part of Luzon Island.
Muslim DancesAside from the colorful contributions of its regional tribes, Mindanao is home to the largest cultural minority in the Philippines - the Muslims. Brought by Javanese and Middle Eastern traders, Islam is the religion of approximately 20 percent of the Philippine population. They are known for their mysticism, royalty, and beauty which are evident in their music and dances. Accompanied by the agong and kulintang, Filipino Muslim dance is marked by intricate hand and arm movement along with shimmering costumes.
Tribal Dances (mga katutubong sayaw)Mindanao, the Philippines' southernmost island, is the country's cultural melting pot. It houses influences from Spain, China, Indonesia, and the Middle East. Although Mindanao carries a strong flavor from other lands, there are people who have lived there before it became a breeding ground of foreign trade. Tribes such as the T'boli, Bilaan, Manobo, Bagobo, and other groups inhabit the vast regions of Mindanao. Like their Northern Luzon counterparts, these groups honor pagan gods for the fruits and trials of daily life. What distinguishes them from other tribes in the Philippines is their intricate craftsmanship in metal, clothing, and jewelry. These tribes pride themselves in their concept of beauty and are known for creating colorful sets of jewelry and clothing out of dyed pineapple and banana fibers with are showcased in their traditional dances.
Rural Folks (sa nayon)Laughter and gaeity commonly used to describe the Filipino people takes root in the Philippine country-side. Life in the Barrio is simple, but Filipinos always manage to find time to celebrate life's gifts. The annual fiestas to celebrate the patron saints of the barrios symbolize the mixture of pagan and Catholic belief. Fiestas not only honor the patron saint, but give homage to the barrio's namesake for a good harvest, health, and perserverance. These fiestas are marked with celebrations of holy mass, music, dance and song.
Spanish Influence (Influido de España)Nearly 400 years of Spanish rule left an unremovable mark on the Philippines. Spain brought with them all aspects of their culture to the Islands. This includes the Catholic faith, clothing, and dance. The barong tagalog and the terno are Philippine interpretations of Spanish dress made to fit the humid climate of the Philippines. Aside from creating their own versions of European fashion, Philippine aristocrats created Filipino adaptations of European dance as well. These include jotas, fandanggos, mazurkas and waltzes that were danced by young socialites to the stringed music of the rondalla.
For details of these dances please see http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Tagalog_Default_files/Philippine_Culture/philippine_dances.htm |
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