Saturday, 28 November 2009

MERANAW REPERTOIRE


KOLINTANG/TAGONGKO also known as the "Lima ka Daradiat" of Ranaw (Lanao), composed of five players, one player at the debakan (drum), two players at the agongs (gongs) [Kapananggisa and Kapamales], one player at the Babundir and a lady player on the Kolintang. The players play the kolintang harmoniously. In Darangen era Paramata Bantogen always played debakan, Madali and Mabaning on the agongs while Rangaig on babendir and Paramata Lawanen and Ikada alternately playing Kolintang, they lovely and harmoniously playing kolintang. No one could equal them, ( gosen ko so letingan a mana mombaw ko inged a mabeto beto nian a kataya so Bembaran a daden a rimbang iyan ko ilian pagilidan). Playing kolintang with kapangolilat (waving the hands using the decorated sticks and apir (fans). This serves as an introduction and is done before the kolintang formally start. At the time, kolintang is played by a lady preferably a Princess or a scion from an Empire. But nowadays, it could also be played by a man.

SINGKIL is from the Lake Lanao region, the Singkil is a popular dance performed during celebrations and
other festive entertainments by Meranaw princess and her maidens. Performed as a female only dance, the Singkil serves as either a conscious or unconscious advertisement to would-be suitors for her future marriage. The ladies graciously step in and out of clashing bamboos poles arranged in either a parallel, rectangular,
or criss-cross fashion while manipulating either apir (fans), mosala (scarves), or even just their bare hands.
Singkil means to entangle the feet with disturbing objects such as vines or anything in your path. It takes its name from the epic tale that the Meranaw people trace the origin of their culture. It goes as follows: In the land of Bembaran lived a brave and handsome hero prince named Paramata Bantogen. He would often leave Bembaran in search of beautiful princesses from far off lands, thus leaving Bembaran vulnerable with its most bravest warrior absent. This would make the diwatas, the guardian spirits of Bembaran, very angry. In an attempt to get Bantogen to stay, the diwatas kidnapped Princess Gandingan, a local princess with bewitching beauty whom Prince Bantogen had not yet seen. The diwatas then placed the princess in an isolated forest where Bantogen would pass on his way to the lands of his favorite ladies. As he passed through this forest, the diwatas caused in earthquake. In her freight, Princess Gandingan began to run for safety. Despite the fierce earthquake causing boulders to fall and all of nature to shake, Princess Gandingan gracefully stepped, hopped, jumped, and hurdled the little rocks and swiftly passed through the trembling trees. The valiant prince saw the frightened princess, chased her, and lead her to safety. Soon after, the earthquake stopped, leaving Prince Bantogen to admire the charming and beautiful princess and forget the beauties of other lands. Thus, Singkil mimics the trials and gracefulness of the legendary Princess Gandingan as she avoided entangling her feet in the cursed forest.



 SAGAYAN is a reminiscence of what the hero in the Darangen had done. On the lane of the Palace of
Magalinday Bembaran, Baratamai Lomna lingered. He was in his armor, with helmet, called sangkad and kampilan tightly held by the right hand and gleaming shield at the left. He was shaking his shield and the tiny bells, called tongkaling, dotting the shield, gave tones of remorse as he was delegated to the Empire of Guindolongan Marogong to propose the marriage of Paramata Bantogen. His age was tender, a lad yet, but made to perform a task of immense proportion. He danced the sagayan to show his prowess in battle against his imaginary enemy. His actions were in curves and doing it elegantly, not like a rough mountain warrior. A lady dances beautifully sadoratan. A gentleman does the
sagayan gracefully.  

KAMBARANGAY A KLONG: Mabaning is well known for kambarangay a klong, spiritual dance, this is mostly similar to Sagayan Dance but this time only sword and shield in a expensive attire, it is like martial art practice in preparation for battles, Dimbarangay a Klong or Kambarangay a Klong always done every time
they called their Diwatas (Tonong).

KAPAGAPIR-APIR. Meranaw women walk the kini-kini to display good breeding and social graces as they elegantly manipulate two hand-held fans called apir.

KAPAMALONG-MALONG.The malong is the rectangular tubular cloth worn by the Maranaws of Lake Lanao. This suite portrays the versatility of this ubiquitous costume in the Meranaw lifestyle. It is bed, portable toilet, blanket, shelter, and many other uses. In this dance composition, the malong's versatility is portrayed as the common prop that weaves life's vignettes. It is a Meranaw dance showing the versatile uses and style of the tubular cloth called malong (landap) in an artistic Meranaw way.



KAZADORATAN depicts a royal manner of walking called kakhinikini among the Meranaw people who live mainly around Lake Lanao. Ladies of the royal court perform this stately dance in preparation for an
important event. The bright colors and flowing handkerchiefs add to
the drama of the dance.


KASIPA SA MANGGIS Long bamboos are used as poles and ropes are tied to the poles and strung to the ropes are kaboka. Each kaboka is a small box-like structure wrapped beautifully with colorful tapestries. If the rattan ball reaches the kaboka and falls, the sipa player gets a prize. KASIPA at least 4 – 8 player, each player will kick the rattan ball if it is full down in his area same with others players, the players should maintain the ball to be kicked continuously, if it was full down to the ground at corresponding area of an player, it is considered Foul, three times fouls of an players should be out from the game until one left and considered
winner, each player wore mosala or (Dalapi) to shacked every time of kicking the rattan ball.


KAPHAYONGPAYONG is another Meranaw dance showing the different styles of using the payong (umbrella) called diakatan in a royal manner. Diakatan is a big umbrella sequenced with Meranaw okir and a Sarimanok on top of it.


KALILANG. The Meranaws of Lake Lanao celebrate. Occasion may be the announcement of a wedding, a betrothal, the crowning of a new datu (ruler), victory in war, or almost anything. A kandori
(thanksgiving) presents entertainment, music and games, jousts, the
dances of war, courtship and manners.

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