LESSON 1

• Mindanao


  One of the second-largest islands in the Philippines, located in the southern region of the archipelago
• Mindanao


  • Surrounded by four seas: Sulu Sea to the west, Philippines to the east, Celebes Sea to the south, Mindanao Sea to the north
  • Home to famous mountains and volcanoes like Mt. Apo which attract tourism
  • Consists of people with different languages, tribes and races
• Music in Mindanao


  An important part of the lives of Mindanao's ethnic groups, accompanying daily routines such as birth, work, entertainment, courtship, wedding, death and religious activities
• Sacred rituals and practices in Mindanao

  Accompanied by music for Muslims and non-Muslims, making rituals more meaningful, colorful, and symbolic
• Vocal music in Mindanao


  Considered the oldest form of music, known to be highly artistic and technically excellent
• Characteristics of Mindanao vocal music

  • Melismatic - many notes sung in one syllable
  • With phrasing - melodies divided into phrases
  • Monophonic - usually with a single melody
  • Use of tremolos - trembling effect in a tone
  • Strained voice - reaching high notes with a natural voice
  • Nasal enunciation - the voice has a particular sound because air is going through the nose when singing
  • Chanting - uttering words with melodic sounds
• Types of Mindanao vocal music

  • Religious Music: Lughu performed by the Tausugs during Ramadan
  • Entertainment Music: Love songs, lullabies, legends, chants, and courtship
• Chant samples


  • Miminsad - A dance song chanted by people walking before the altar (wedding feast), accompanied by large and small kettle drums
  • Darangen - Epic song including a wealth of knowledge about Maranao people living in the Lake Lanao region
  • Ulaging - The most important type of vocal music, recalling the adventure of the main hero Agyu and his siblings (sung at night-time)
• Kapelawlawd


  Portrays the neutrality of a Maranao member when his relatives or friends are in conflict, by avoiding being involved by going into the "ocean" or "depth", to be away from the quarreling groups
• Kapmotantang


  Conveys the Maranao matarabat (pride), which requires that one avenges any wrongdoing against him and demands public humiliation of his enemy
• Kapematatar


  Sings about a maiden's reasoning that to be with a man in bed is fine if he is a royal equal in their tribe, based on Maranao value of equality in social status for marriage and sex partnerships