Dayaw Season 1: Episode 2 Mito, Kwento, Musika – The Indigenous Imagination

Summary

This script explores the rich oral traditions of indigenous peoples in the Philippines, highlighting their significance in preserving cultural heritage and identity. It features the art of chanting, the importance of passing on knowledge through music and epics, and the role of syllabaries in recording history. The script emphasizes the need to appreciate and sustain these traditions for future generations, showcasing the depth of indigenous wisdom and artistry.

Takeaways

• 🌳 Indigenous cultures have a deep connection with nature and possess a wealth of knowledge that is reflected in their songs, epics, and survival strategies.
• 🎶 Music and rhythm form the basis of indigenous epics, with chanting and oral traditions serving as a means of preserving cultural heritage and identity.
• 🏆 The late Maguindanao Veloso was an indigenous artist recognized for his contributions to the preservation and enhancement of his people's traditional music.
• 🎵 The late Maestro was known for his mastery of the Maguindanao musical tradition, using melodic and rhythmic variations to create unique musical universes.
• 🥁 The southern Palawan Oh's gongs and bamboo floor rhythms, led by the late Messina Inter, showcase the hypnotic power of indigenous music and its role in community rituals.
• 📚 The chant is a form of storytelling where the human voice musically mirrors the complexities of narratives, often involving the participation of the entire community.
• 🏫 Peter Fatima Milan has dedicated her career to teaching the chanting of the Hudhud epic, an important part of the Ifugao people's cultural heritage.
• 🌐 The Hudhud epic has been recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of humanity's intangible heritage, highlighting its significance in cultural preservation.
• 🎭 The Durani, a 72,000-line epic of the Maranao people, stands alongside the Quran as a foundation of Maranao culture, blending Islamic and pre-Islamic elements.
• 👸 The owner, a professional singer and dancer in Maranao society, embodies the traditional role models and behaviors depicted in the Dorama epic.
• 📜 Pre-Hispanic syllabaries, such as the Hanunoo script of Mindoro, are an essential part of indigenous cultures, serving as a written record of their oral traditions.

Q & A

What is the significance of learning from indigenous people according to the script?

The script suggests that learning from indigenous people is important because it allows one to understand their deep relationship with nature, their survival skills, and their cultural heritage, which includes songs, epics, and technology. This knowledge helps in finding one's roots and direction, and it is encapsulated in the word 'daya'.

What role do music and rhythm play in the preservation of indigenous cultures as described in the script?

Music and rhythm are fundamental to the preservation of indigenous cultures as they form the basis of chanted epics and spoken word traditions. They transform and mutate into unique cultural expressions that are passed down through generations.

Who was the late Samoan Sulaiman and what was his contribution to his culture?

The late Samoan Sulaiman was one of the first indigenous artists to be awarded the governmental economía. He was renowned for mastering the Maguindanao music, keeping the now classical tradition alive, and embellishing it with his own genius.

What is the significance of the 'hood hood' epic in Ifugao culture?

The 'hood hood' epic is significant in Ifugao culture as it recounts the adventures of their epic heroes and has been recognized by UNESCO as one of the masterpieces of humanity's intangible heritage. It is traditionally sung during harvest and important ritual occasions.

How is the 'hood hood' epic taught to the younger generation in Ifugao?

The 'hood hood' epic is taught by selecting a lead chanter and a chorus from each batch of pupils. They learn the chant of their ancestors, ensuring the legacy is passed on. The teaching process involves memorization and direct learning from the elders.

What is the 'Durani' epic and its importance in Maranao culture?

The 'Durani' is an epic of the Maranao people consisting of approximately 72,000 lines. It stands alongside the Quran as a foundation of Maranao culture, blending Islamic and pre-Islamic tenets to form a code of personhood and a record of values and behaviors worth emulating.

How are the traditional songs and dances of the Maranao people performed and what do they represent?

Traditional songs and dances of the Maranao are performed by professional singers and dancers known as 'enchantresses'. They are expected to act and behave like the legendary princesses of Dorama, embodying the grace and nobility of their culture.

What is the purpose of the written text in preserving the epics and stories of indigenous cultures?

The written text serves to commit the epics, stories, and feelings of indigenous cultures to a more permanent form of memory. It captures the essence of their identity and race, and provides a foundation for future generations to learn and understand their heritage.

What is the significance of the Hanunoo syllabary in the preservation of indigenous writing systems?

The Hanunoo syllabary is significant as it is one of the few pre-Hispanic syllabaries still in use today, particularly among the Hanunoo people of Mindoro. It represents a unique cultural value and is essential for the preservation of traditional poetic verse forms.

Why is it important to submit the 'Hudhud' and 'Durani' epics to UNESCO for recognition?

Submitting these epics to UNESCO for recognition as masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity helps to ensure their survival over time. It makes it easier to secure funding and support for programs that teach these epics to younger generations, thus preserving the cultural heritage.

How do the indigenous epics and chants contribute to the understanding of heroism and ideals in their respective cultures?

Indigenous epics and chants capture and celebrate ideals of heroism, bravery, and cultural values. They serve as a medium to pass on the memories, emotions, and behaviors that define the cultural identity and ethos of a community.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 Indigenous Heritage and Artistry

The script introduces the importance of learning from indigenous cultures, emphasizing their deep connection with nature and the wisdom passed down through generations. It highlights the role of oral traditions, music, and rituals in preserving cultural identity and values. The late Maguindanao artist Veloso is celebrated for his contributions to keeping the classical tradition alive, showcasing the power of music and rhythm in storytelling and cultural preservation.

05:01

📚 The Preservation of Oral Epics

This paragraph delves into the significance of oral epics, particularly the 'Hudhud' of the Ifugao people, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage. The Hudhud is taught to young students by Peter Milan, ensuring its continuity. The epic recounts the adventures of legendary heroes and is traditionally performed during harvests and important rituals, reflecting the community's collective memory and cultural pride.

10:02

🎭 The Power of Performance in Epics

The paragraph explores the integration of narrative and performance in epic traditions, focusing on the 'Durani' of the Maranao people, which comprises 25 song cycles and stands alongside the Quran as a cultural foundation. The epic is a blend of Islamic and pre-Islamic elements, serving as a code of conduct and a record of admirable traits. The narrative is brought to life through song, dance, and performance, with professional performers embodying traditional role models and perpetuating cultural values.

15:04

📜 The Legacy of Syllabaries and Written Texts

This section discusses the importance of written texts and syllabaries in preserving cultural heritage. It mentions the pre-Hispanic syllabaries of the Philippine Archipelago, particularly the Hanunoo script of Mindoro, which is still practiced and valued for its cultural significance. The script is used in 'Ambani,' a traditional poetic verse form, and efforts are made to encourage the transmission of these scripts to future generations to ensure the survival of the associated epics and cultural memory.

20:06

🌐 Cultural Richness and Modern Appreciation

The final paragraph reflects on the richness of indigenous cultures and the need to move beyond biases and misconceptions, especially regarding Muslim fellowmen. It underscores the nobility and tradition embedded in their epics and the importance of recognizing and celebrating these cultural treasures. The paragraph calls for the appreciation of sophisticated music, powerful songs, and chants that represent the intellect and emotions of a people, advocating for the removal of cultural blinders to embrace the diversity and depth of human heritage.

Keywords

💡Indigenous

Indigenous refers to the original inhabitants of a land, who have lived there for generations before other populations arrived. In the video, the term is used to highlight the importance of learning from these people's deep knowledge of their environment and traditions, which is a central theme of the video.

💡Ethnic Pride

Ethnic pride is a sense of satisfaction and self-respect that comes from identifying with one's ethnic group and its cultural heritage. The script mentions ethnic pride in the context of preserving and celebrating the unique aspects of indigenous cultures, such as their songs, epics, and survival techniques.

💡Oral Traditions

Oral traditions are the methods of passing down knowledge, stories, and cultural practices through spoken word rather than written text. The video emphasizes the significance of oral traditions in preserving the history and values of indigenous peoples, with examples like chants and epics.

💡Epic

An epic is a lengthy narrative poem that recounts heroic deeds and significant events, often involving gods or legendary figures. The script discusses various indigenous epics, such as the 'Hudhud' and 'Durani,' which serve as a source of cultural identity and moral guidance.

💡Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage encompasses the traditions, knowledge, and artifacts that are passed down through generations within a culture. The video's theme revolves around the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples, including their music, rituals, and oral narratives.

💡Chanting

Chanting is the act of speaking or singing rhythmically, often used in rituals, prayers, or storytelling. The script describes chanting as a way to convey narratives and maintain cultural practices, such as in the 'Hudhud' and 'Ifugao' traditions.

💡Intangible Heritage

Intangible heritage refers to the non-physical aspects of a culture, such as oral traditions, performing arts, and social practices. The video mentions the recognition of the 'Hudhud' epic by UNESCO as an example of intangible heritage, emphasizing the need to preserve such cultural expressions.

💡Syllabary

A syllabary is a type of writing system where each symbol represents a syllable, rather than a single sound or character. The script discusses the 'Hanunoo' syllabary as an example of a pre-Hispanic writing system that is still in use among certain indigenous communities in the Philippines.

💡Narrative

A narrative is a story or account of events and experiences, often arranged in a chronological order. The video's main theme involves narratives in the form of epics, chants, and oral traditions that convey the history and values of indigenous cultures.

💡Cultural Preservation

Cultural preservation is the act of maintaining and protecting a culture's traditions, practices, and artifacts for future generations. The script highlights the importance of teaching and passing down indigenous knowledge and practices to ensure their survival.

💡Role Models

Role models are individuals who serve as examples for others to follow, embodying certain values or behaviors. The video discusses how elders and traditional artists serve as role models in indigenous communities, teaching younger generations about their cultural practices and values.

Highlights

Learning from indigenous people's deep connection with nature and their survival techniques.

The importance of oral traditions as a source of knowledge and cultural pride.

Music and rhythm as the foundation of indigenous epics and spoken word.

The late Samoan Sulaiman's contribution to indigenous art and the preservation of traditional music.

The significance of the Maguindanao Veloso and its reflection of tape-record traditions.

The hypnotic rhythms of the southern Palawan Oh, showcasing the power of gongs and bamboo.

The birth of the chant through the musical mirroring of narrative complexities.

The role of the Ifugao epic hero, Nguyen, in the Hood Hood tradition.

The UNESCO recognition of the Hood Hood as a masterpiece of humanity's intangible heritage.

The traditional singing of the Hood Hood during harvest and important ritual occasions.

The importance of preserving the Hood Hood through teaching and learning from elders.

The role of elders as role models in the preservation and performance of the Hood Hood.

The Durani epic of the Maranao people and its significance in shaping cultural identity.

The blending of Islamic and pre-Islamic tenets in the Durani epic.

The transformation of epics into dance and performance, exemplified by the Dorama.

The role of the professional singer and dancer in embodying traditional role models.

The biases and misconceptions surrounding Muslim fellowmen and their rich traditions.

The pre-Hispanic syllabaries and their importance in preserving indigenous languages and cultures.

The Hanunoo syllabary of Mindoro and its unique qualities as a living script.

The efforts to have the Hudhud and Durani epics declared as UNESCO masterpieces for preservation.

The value of epics, songs, and alphabets in capturing memories, emotions, and cultural identity.

The call to appreciate and preserve indigenous knowledge and pride beyond ethnic or primitive labels.

Transcripts

[Music]

there is much to be learned from people

who have lived in this land much longer

than we have a

knowledge that manifests itself not only

in the relationships with nature there

are songs and epics there technology and

to Asians but in their very survival

only by being aware of this heritage of

the indigenous can we find not only our

roots but our directional

their pride and ours captured in one

word daya

[Music]

nature creates man imagines and man

recreates great events take place man

remembers and man reimagines through a

piece of music a song a ritual a chant

and oral joust even an epic and as this

grow in are eventually passed on the

memory becomes a code of conduct or a

collection of lessons a manual that

teaches one how to be perhaps a good

mara now or a good if a cow or among

young and

hopefully an ideal of one's identity

the oral traditions of our indigenous

peoples are the subject of our second

exploration yet another source of dial

our knowledge our pride

[Applause]

[Music]

[Music]

music and rhythm are the very basis of

chanted epics and spoken

word less repetitions

transforming mutating into universes of

their own

[Music]

before we listen to the indigenous epics

I want you first to listen to a

Maguindanao Veloso

the late Samoan Sulaiman who was among

the first indigenous artists to be

awarded the governmental economía a

[Music]

Trouville - also Samoans instrument of

choice was a Quigley appeal or a true

strength Newt it's two strings simile

and metaphor for its universal opposites

of constancy in Chains

[Music]

the music he chose to master was a

reflection of its tape-record traditions

of the Maguindanao

[Music]

the late maestro was renowned all over

medina now as a true artist of his

people an artist who chose to keep

mminton the now classical tradition

alive and embellish it with his own

genius

his melodic and rhythmic permutations

transform you taped enjoy a universe of

their own

[Music]

very different but equally powerful are

the rhythms beaten out on gongs and

bamboo floors by the southern palawan Oh

here another gawad manila cannon by an

awardee the late Messina inter I was

recorded by the National Commission on

culture and arts

as he led the bustle and some in their

village in the highlands of Brooks Point

their plane was made even more hypnotic

by the women who beat out an equally

complex rhythm of the tareq with her

bare feet on the bamboo floor

when the human voice musically mirrors

and echoes the complexities textual

meanings and flow of narratives the

chant is born

[Music]

one voice telling a story another voice

answering and pushing the narrative

then a whole community joining in

the chant is born

[Music]

the epic unfolds

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

in the to word school in Liguria fagala

peter fatima Milan has devoted a good

part of her career to training selected

pupils in the chanting of the ephah Gow

epic the hood hood

[Music]

she selects a girl from each batch who

will be the lead champion or the moon

hallway as well as others who will form

the chorus or moon up we

then batch after batch

she teaches them the chant of their

ancestors

[Music]

the hood hood has been recognized by the

UNESCO was one of the masterpieces of

humanity's intangible heritage

[Music]

the hood hood recounts the adventures of

the ifugao epic heroes the most popular

being Nguyen

[Music]

the culture hero whom legend says

thought if Agha women the hood hood of

other heroes

[Music]

traditionally the hood hood is sung

during harvest by entire communities

[Music]

it is also sung during important ritual

occasions

[Music]

although it is traditionally associated

with women

[Music]

men are also allowed to sing in the

chorus

[Music]

year after year the tomb would school

chanters have one local competitions and

have been invited to perform in Manila

and with every passing batch the legacy

of this chant is passed on to the young

GAO's I invited the elders to chant and

then I recorded their song

afterwards I must have to learn the song

after two weeks I memorized it and then

at the time I taught it to the children

Meeropol content changes kasi but from

the elders direct to the children Hindi

Pony Lama who he original Beauty know

who to chant so

me it just means before I taught it to

the children line by line there are many

words that I cannot understand some

words were very deep so I always call on

the moon how a to explain the meaning of

the word would and so I also explain it

to the children because we can not

change it to simpler form because that's

really the beauty of the whole Goodman

Fatima's lifelong dedication to teaching

the hood wood has given the two mode

centers many distinctions in a words but

even she admits that there is so much to

learn and preserve

came to my mind that we should preserve

it by singing it telling stories because

hood wood has to 200 stories after

classes the children always come to my

door and say mom are we going to

practice the hood route and say you wait

for me after dismissal

worthy role models for the young

chanters are the elders of their village

whose chanting is full of primal power

and spontaneity

although the hood word is traditionally

chanted by women in the fields during

harvests Milan Leonardo and his

neighbors know it well and will sing it

male and female elders in one chorus to

make sure it is passed on to young

Ifugao

[Music]

[Music]

janna staining Castellana

vintage footage of the campus of the

Mindanao State University shows maranao

students dramatizing a chunk of their

own people the durang in

an

epoch of approximately 72,000 lines it

stands side by side with a Quran as a

foundation of marinelle culture

[Music]

the epic is not primarily Islamic in

nature

scholars have pointed out that much of

its content stems from pre-islamic times

the stories that make up the epic meld

both Islamic and three Islamic tenets

the result of this melding this

distillation is a code of personhood a

record of what the marinelle describes

as unknown in era Wotton all that is

worth emulating

25 song cycles make up the durrani of

which only 18 have been recorded and

studied

although majority of the songs deal with

the adventures and romances

other songs deal with the loss on

kingship

succession warfare diplomacy and

statesmanship

[Music]

because they are essentially narrative

all great epics lend themselves well to

dance and performance the drunken is so

rich the chapters and vignettes can

readily become performances and

themselves

the stories become chants and songs

the song

dances

[Music]

the dances object lessons in the

behavior of traditional role models

I was terminal i-i'm

the owner is a professional singer

dancer enchantress who services are much

in demand in maranhão society during

weddings and party she's hired to

perform traditional songs and display

skills like pain the cooling tunnel

[Music]

but more than a hired troll the owner is

expected to act and behave in the manner

of the legendary princesses of the

dorama a role model and a living

embodiment of all the disgraceful and

gracious in a Madonna woman

night Oklahoma game on or casino on Mt

taco inertia sama-sama Asahina anneristo

yamaganda Polly Magee owner

feminine owner Papa mo Ponte doing

maganda Magan Dasha in a Yamaha Patti

dal makhni maganda para para ping doing

modern - attainment which I imposes new

pair instability new param Hindi machine

Sabrina universe is not a machine Matias

you need to meet per column bottom

boosting my novel Malaga staffing in

packaging owner co-state Papa una

Familia coach I you know

margarita relatives ko na Peter in

Allahabad Monocacy maroon in kpop anomie

career dinner home

older footage shows another on or

demonstrating the proper behavior

expected of a marinelle princess

again influenced by the role models

found in the dorama

[Music]

biases and misconceptions are quite

palpable when it comes to our Muslim

fellowmen

their image sometimes clouds our ability

to see the richness of their traditions

and

the innate nobility instilled in them by

their epics

[Music]

when man commits his epics his stories

his feelings into a written text he

commits these to more than just memory

he puts down in writing not only his

very being but the essence of his anti

race and for that one needs more than

just a chanted song one needs a

syllabary in a system of writing

[Music]

[Music]

pre-hispanic syllabaries devised by our

ancestors were widespread among the

peoples of the Philippine Archipelago

however they now survive only among four

indigenous cultural communities in

Mindoro and Palawan

the most famous of these is a syllabary

of the hanana Manion of Mindoro

the scholar Antoine Postma describes the

unique qualities of the Manion syllabary

the monkey uncultured that Mahad is

still alive they still being practiced

item onions if it not was not for their

value their cultural value I

wouldn't mind it I'll encourage the

money especially the older people do not

forget your to teach your children what

you

inherited from your forefathers

the lady I now belong was a master of

the syllabary and its use in the ambani

the traditional poetic verse form of the

mañana in this rare footage the gawad

manila Canon by an awardee demonstrates

his mastery of the syllabary and his

skill in edging his own verse on bamboo

it darling pasa I'm in mangani no no no

na mera naam bin amar aha boom I

apropos Akiyama you mention my room

Pokemon am behind not a tankini nap and

a guinea Paulo to play

kaity olanta own at sample town but that

hindi mo bazaar in dima serie in the

matador Obito

[Music]

we wanted to make sure that the the very

important epics of the Philippines

especially that onion and hood hood will

survive the passage of time and

initially what we did was to submit this

epics for declaration by UNESCO us

masterpieces of the oral and intangible

Heritage of Humanity these are the epics

hood hood and the Wrangham because the

moment they are declared as such it will

be easier to get funding support for us

to encourage the young people to have

programs that the young people can be

taught

music that is both sophisticated and

powerful songs and chants worth passing

on to future generations

epics that show us ideals of heroism

celebrates and alphabets where memories

and emotions are captured all gifts of

the mind and the intellect if you could

all remove the blinders from our eyes I

dismiss these gifts as tribal or ethnic

or even primitive how much richer our

own modern world view would be and how

much more we could feel in rejoice in

dial our knowledge our pride

[Music]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

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[Applause]

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[Applause]

[Music]

you

[Music]