Vocal Music of
Vocal Music of
Mindoro is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. It is located off the coast of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan.The southern coast of Mindoro
forms the northeastern extremum of the Sulu Sea.
In
past times, it has been called Mai or Mait by Chinese traders and, by Spaniards, as Mina de Oro (meaning “mine of
gold") from where the island got its current name.
Mindoro is also home to the Tamaraw or Mindoro dwarf buffalo (Bubalus mindorensis), which is endemic to the island.The Tamaraw is a bovine
related to the water buffalo and is an endangered species.
The principal language in Mindoro is Tagalog, although in some parts it has been greatly influenced by the nativeVisayan and Mangyan languages.
Hanunó'o language is a language spoken by Mangyans in the province of Mindoro in the Philippines
Division The island was once a single province from 1920 to 1950. On June 13, 1950, by virtue of Republic Act no.505, Mindoro was divided into
Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro.
Occidental Mindoro "Home of the Indigenous Mangyans". Its capital is Mamburao and occupies the western half of theisland of Mindoro
Oriental Mindoro • Calapan City
- the only city in the island and the provin
cial capital. • Rice Granary and Fruit Basketof Southern Tagalog • Banana King and Calamansi King of the region.
Mangyan culture Mangyan cultural practices are in danger of vanishing because of the influence of modern lowlandculture. The literature and traditions
of the different Mangyan groups are short of documentation; thus, mainstreamsociety lacks awareness of the beauty of Mangyan culture and its relevance
to Filipino culture as a whole.
Terminologies Damuong- the non-Mangyan groups Hanunuo- they considered themselves as real, true or genuineMangyan. Urukoy- words of wisdom
chanted on festive occasion by elders of the tribe. Luka- bamboo tube wherein theambahan is carved out.
Mangyan Syllabic Script or Surat Mangyan The Mangyans of SOuthern Mindoro, Philippines, (also referred to asHanunuo Mangyans),are still
practising a pre-Spanish syllabic writing system that was in general use all over thePhilippines at the arrival of the Spaniards in the
16th century. The Mangyan script, together with the Northern-Buhid inMindoro and the Palawan scripts,have been declared by the National
Museum as National Cultural Treasures onDecember 9, 1997.
The Ambahan
The ambahan is the traditional poetry of the Hanunuo Mangyans of Oriental Mindoro. It is usually written on bambooin the Surat Mangyan, a centuries-
old pre-Spanish script. The syllabic script and the ambahan poetry have complementedeach other, contributing to their continued existence today.
Characteristics of Ambahan
Varied in length and complexity.For children it is short and simple For adult, it is lengthier and complicated
The ambahan is a chanted verse, but it is changed plainly or almost recited. The rendering of the ambahan with musical pitch might differ
from person to person. Some might intone the words like in common conversation; others might use it amonotone recitation; or still
others might sing it with a distinct melody.
Hanunuo-Mangyan English Filipino My dear baby, do not cry 'cause the wild cat might hear us! The big one from overthere, with his awful
longstretched howl! Helpless are we if he comes. Our spear is broken still and our bolo bent and blunt! Huwag ka ngang
umiyak Hala ka at mapukaw Pusang-ligaw sa gubat Ngumiyaw, maghihiyaw Wala kitang pambugaw Sibat nati'y nawasak Gulok
nati'y nabingaw!
Conversational Ambahan language language English amang inang danom balay niyog bagaw mata father mother waterhouse coconut talk eye bansay
suyong kagnan labag bu-anay duyan pamidkan
Description: A pair of percussion bars which are struck against each other at specific angles to produce a pitch. These are played as a
solo instrument.
Materials: wood