3. Hanunuo-Mangyans
Mangyan – is the generic
name for all the
indigenous groups that
live in the island of
Mindoro.
Hanunuo – is used to
describe the Mangyans
who have remained
faithful to their traditions
and have kept their
customs free from foreign
influences.
4. Ambahan – is a poem and a song chanted by the
Hanunuo-Mangyans. It came from the word amba
meaning “invocation to the spirit.”
5. Ambahan: Childhood
Sweet are the memories of our childhood. For
the Mangyan child, it is a time of unconcern and
carefreeness, even if the child has to take his
share of the family duties to the measure of his
capacities. It is with feelings of sentimentality
and homesickness that a young man recalls the
happy years of his youth that passed away too
fast. It is also with pride that he remembers the
love and kindness shown to him by his parents.
6. That time, when I was still young,
(I was just a baby still)
when I sat on mother's lap,
when she rocked me in a crib,
in a cradle newly made.
Mommy lulling me asleep,
did not leave me in a crib,
in her arms she cradled me.
Oh, how sweet these memories!
wish I could climb once again
in the cradle lovely made!
So I could be showing off
how I grew so beautifully!
You, the people from the shore,
people from the mountains too,
could you just come here this
way!
Visit me just once again,
the unfolding, blooming tree!
I'll recall this all my life.
Noong ako'y muraan
Sanggol na sanggol pa lang
Karga pa sa kandungan
Inuugoy sa duyan
Sa kagagawang duyan
Hinehele ni Nanay
Hindi n'ya iniiwan
Sapo n'ya sa kandungan
O kay gandang nagdaan!
Muli sanang mahimlay
Sa banayad na duyan
Nang tunay kong mamasdan
Paglaki kong kariktan
Kayong taga-baybayan
Maging taga-burulan
Kung maaring puntahan
Pasyalan at pagmasdan
Punong namumukadkad
Alaala kailanman!
7. Luka – is a portion of the bamboo pole
where then Mangyans carve or engrave their
ambahans.
9. Chordophones or String Instruments
Gitgit – it is a three stringed fiddle played
with a bow made from bamboo and human
hair.
10. Kudlung – is a
zither made from
bamboo that has
parallel strings.
Kudyapi – is a six-
stringed zither that is
carved out from soft
wood. It has six nylon
threads that can be
plucked or strummed.
12. Bangsi – is an external pipe
flute.
Tangkap – is a bamboo
whistle.
13. Idiophones or Instruments that are
Struck or Shaken
Agong – is a bossed bronze gong that is struck with
bamboo sticks. This instrument is used in social gatherings
to celebrate good harvest and burial ceremonies.
14. Kalutang – are percussion sticks
cut from softwood. They are
played by striking each other.
Barimbaw – is a bamboo
slit gong that is played
with a stick.
