Philippine Folk Dance PDF

DANCE  Dance is an activity which can take many forms and fill many different needs. It can be recreation, entertainment, education, therapy, and religion. In its purest and most basic form, dance is art, the art of body movement. Dance can also be considered recreational activity that can develop...

DANCE  Dance is an activity which can take many forms and fill many different needs. It can be recreation, entertainment, education, therapy, and religion. In its purest and most basic form, dance is art, the art of body movement. Dance can also be considered recreational activity that can develop our physical, mental, social, and emotional health.  Dance teaches the importance of movement and fitness in a variety of ways through a variety of disciplines. As well, dancers learn to coordinate muscles to move through proper positions. Dancing is a great activity to pursue at almost any age provided you are in proper health to handle the rigors of dancing for life. Health- related fitness assessment helps make the link between physical activity and fitness.  PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE  Philippine folk dances incorporate influences from immigrants and conquerors and at the same time maintaining distinctly Filipino roots. Philippine folk dancing is a true reflection of daily life in the past centuries while enchanting modern audiences at the same time.  There is no exact date as to when dancing became part of our lives in the Philippines. The dances were performed during festivals and remembrances of past military victories, and are still performed during celebrations of birth and weddings in modern times. Many modern folk dance festivals still feature ancient dances performed in colorful costumes used during the tribal period of the Philippines.  CULTURAL AND FOLK DANCES IN THE PHILIPPINES The various cultures of the different countries in the world have been made more colorful, beautiful, and vibrant because of folk dances that reflect who they are. The Philippines consists of 7,107 islands, broken down in three groups – Luzon, Visayas , and Mindanao. Each of these areas has different dialects, history, religion, and traditions. Every region also has different influences in their arts, crafts, and ancestral dances. LUZON THE TRADITIONS AND HERITAGE OF LUZON The cultural folk dances from this region represent all the different factions or tribal groups in one way or another. The Cordillerans or Igorot is the term or the collective name of several ethnic groups in the Phlippines. These tribes – The Ifugao, Kalinga, Bontoc, Apayao, Ibaloi, kalangaya, and the Kankanaey in benguet mostly inhabit the mountains of Luzon.  THE DANCES OF LUZON ❑ BANGA DANCE OR POT DANCE - This dance shows the skill and strength of the women as they carry heavy laden clay pots, or banga, full of water. Their grace and agility while balancing the heavy pots is a testament of how the Filipino strength and determination to survive hardship. ❑ IDAW - As one of the cordillera dances, this Bontoc dance depicts a war ceremony performed by warriors of rival tribes. Idaw, meaning “bird” is celebrated because it was the omen bearer of war. ❑ IDUDU - The family is the basic structure of family life among the Itneg or Tinggian people. Caring for the children is shared by both the mother and father. ❑ RAGRAGSAKAN - This dance portrays the walk of the industrious kalinga women, carrying water pots on their heads and wearing the colorful hand-woven “blankets of life” around their neck. VISAYAS The central islands of the Philippines, are grouped into three sections: Central, Eastern, and Western. The peope in the region consist of Autronesians, Negritos, and the Animist Tribal Group. Visayas became a melting pot for many different tribes and cultural backgrounds. You will see that the dances of the Visayas are more upbeat and exciting, not so much in drama and tribal meanings as other regions.  THE DANCES OF VISAYAS ❑ MAGLALATIK - All dancers are male with harnesses of coconut shells attached on their chests, backs, thighs, and hips. ❑ SAYAW SA BANGKO - Sayaw sa bangko or Sayaw ed Tapew na Bangko is a dance which originates from pangasinan as researched by Jovita Sison. ❑ SUBLI - a ritual dance of the natives of Bauan, Batangas, which is performed during fiestas as a ceremonial worship dance to the town’s icoon, the Holy Cross. ❑ TINIKLING - popular and best known of the Philippine dances and is honored as the Philippine National Dance. Dancers imitate the tikling bird’s legendary grace and speed by skillfully maneuvering between large bamboo poles. MINDANAO Mindanao is the southernmost region of The Philippines. It is the second largest island group and its cultural groupings consist of mostly Muslim or “Moro” people, and other ethnic groups such as the Maranao, Tausug, Banguingui, and indigenous tribes known as Lumad.  THE DANCES OF MINDANAO ❑ ASIK - This dance is performed by a solo maiden, adorned with fine beads make-up, and a long head scarf. The maiden would dance to win the favor of her Sultan master. ❑ KINI KINI - Kini means the Royal Walk. Maranao women perform this dance with scarves. The beauty of the scarves and the talent and grace in which it is displayed shows their elite social upbringing. ❑ PANGALAY - The pangalay is native to the badjao, who are also known as “Sea Gypsies”. It is a dance that emphasizes the agility of the upper body. ❑ SINGKIL - The Singkil Dance takes its name from the bells worn on the ankles of the Muslim Princess. The singkil recounts the epic legend of the “Darangan” of the Maranao people of Mindanao.