MUSIC OF CORDILLERA

• The Tingguian’s (Imma-isa-isa ) is sung during rice-pounding activity.
• The Kalinga’s (Ullalim) is an example of their epic song.
• The Bontoc’s (Ayoweng) is sung by the workers in the field.
• VOCAL MUSIC: The people of Cordillera is known for their spontaneous style of singing.
• Their vocal music is melismatic in form, which means that several notes are sung to one syllable of text.
• The HUDHUD from Ifugao is a popular vocal music from the Cordillera. It is a chanted poetry usually recited during rituals and while farming.
• INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: The indigenous musical instruments of the Cordillera people play a very important role in their different rites, ceremonies and traditions. They are made from various materials such as metals, bamboo, sticks, wood and animal skin.
• Gangsa Ensemble: These instruments are made out of metal. They are played with a mallet or with the bare hands.
• Bamboo Ensemble: Bamboo is one of the commonly used materials in making indigenous musical instruments. Because of its tube-like form, our ancestors were able to invent different musical instruments that can produce melody or rhythmical patterns.
• Bungkaka – This instrument is used by Tingguian’s group. Also known as bamboo buzzer, this is played by striking the open end of the bamboo against the palm of the hand.
• Diwdiw-as – This is an instrument consisting 5 or more bamboo pipes fixed together. It is played by blowing air into the reeds as it is moved from side to side.
• Kulitong – This bamboo zither instrument has 6-10 parallel strings. It is played by plucking the strings of the zither.
• Ulibaw – This instrument is popularly known as “jaw’s harp”. A mouth resonated bamboo instrument played with a flexible tongue fixed at one end to a surrounding frame.
• Tongatong – This is a percussion instrument made of various lengths of bamboo and is played by striking the base of the it against a hard surface like the floor. It can used as accompaniment to the chanting while dancing.
• Solibao – A hollowed wooden drum covered with pig or lizard skin. Its sound produced by hitting the drum head with the palm of the hand.
• Pateteg – This is a bamboo leg xylophone. The music made by pateteg is used for worship and rituals, work like planting, sleep and courtship.
• Tongali or Kaleleng – This is a 4-holed nose flute made of bamboo (with one hole in the back).
• Cordillera people are known to be nature lovers. They appreciate the beauty of nature and create artistic expressions through songs and dances, and other art forms. Their music also plays a big part in the day-to-day activities of the people.