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• Tinikling

  The National Dance of The Philippines with Bamboo Poles
• Tinikling


  • One of the most popular folk dances in the Philippines
  • The traditional dance, which usually involves a pair of two bamboo poles
  • Considered to be the oldest in the country and its appeal has spread across the globe—particularly to the United States
• Why is the dance called Tinikling?

  The Tinikling is said to be named after the long-legged bird called the tikling in the Philippines
• Tikling bird

  • Belongs to a number of rail species, but the name typically refers to the Slaty-Breasted Rail, the Buff-Banded Rail, and the Barred Rail
• Why is the dance called Tinikling?

  Someone who dances the Tinikling imitates the movements of a tikling bird (hence, tikling-like) as the bird walks over the grass or dodges bamboo traps set by Filipino farmers on vast rice fields
• Why is the dance called Tinikling?

  The Tinikling dance originated during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines—particularly on the island of Leyte
• Tinikling dance origin

  • Rice farmers on the Visayan Islands usually set up bamboo traps to protect their fields, yet tikling birds dodged their traps
  • Locals imitated the birds' movement, and supposedly, that's how this dramatic traditional folk dance was born
• Why is the dance called Tinikling?

  • According to legend, the dance originated during the Spanish colonial era when locals were ordered by the King of Spain to work on large plantations
  • Those who did not follow his orders or worked too slowly were given a punishment: to stand in between two bamboo poles
  • These poles were then clapped together in an effort to beat the Filipino natives' feet
  • To escape this punishment, the Filipinos would jump when the two poles were about to be clapped
  • This practice of jumping between the poles eventually transformed from a challenge into an artistic dance
• Tinikling dance


  • Considered a national dance in the Philippines and almost every Filipino knows how to do it
  • Usually performed on special occasions like traditional Filipino festivals or at school and theater performances
  • Represents most Filipinos' two main character traits: They're resilient and fun-loving
• Dancing the Tinikling

  1. Need two pairs of bamboo poles that are each 6–12 feet long

  2. Female dancers usually wear a Balintawak (a colorful dress with arched sleeves) or a Patadyong (a checkered loose skirt that's often worn with a thin-fibered blouse)

  3. Males wear an embroidered formal shirt that's untucked called the Barong Tagalog—which is the country's national outfit for Filipino men

  4. The Barong is usually paired with red trousers

  5. All dancers perform the Tinikling while barefoot
• Tinikling dance variations

  • Some versions use four bamboo poles, where the pairs are arranged in a cross-like pattern
  • Dancers must listen closely and follow the rhythm of the music to avoid getting their ankles caught in between the poles
  • There are modified versions of this Filipino traditional folk dance around the world—some increase the number of dancers or poles and even change the music or choreography
  • Some U.S. schools even incorporate this dance into their curriculum, but they use pop music to keep the dance up-to-date
• Carinosa


  A South East Asian dance style when translated literally means "Loving or affectionate one"
• Carinosa


  • This "romantic" dance is said to have originated from Philippines, and is supposed to be heavily influenced by the Hispanic culture
  • A fan or a handkerchief is said to play a major role in this dance
• Philippines was colonized for the first time by the Spanish, and it was during this period that the Spanish colonial masters introduced the Carinosa dance style into the "Filipino" culture

  15th century
• Costumes used in the Carinosa

  • Maria Clara gown
  • Barong Tagalog, a formal shirt
  • Patadyong Kimona (a dress belonging to the Visayan community)
  • Camisa De Chino (a white sleeve)
  • Barong Tagalog
  • Colored pants
• Music involved in the Carinosa

  • Rondella, a string instrument ensemble
  • Bandurrias
  • Mandolins
  • Guitars
  • Basses
  • Drums
  • Banjos
• Training and technique in Carinosa

  • The dance basically involves the performers, i.e. male and female, flirting with each other by using "hide and seek" feet movements
  • The female performer usually holds a fan or a handkerchief during a performance
  • There are no training centers and schools available around the world since this "romantic" dance is mainly performed in the Philippines