Literary works written in Cebuano, a language widely spoken in the southern Philippines
Cebuano literature refers to the literary works written in Cebuano, a language widely spoken in the southern Philippines
The term Cebuano literature is most often extended to cover the oral literary forms in both indigenous and colonial Philippines
The majority of Cebuano writers are from the Visayas and Mindanao region
The most recognized Filipino literary outlet for Cebuano writers, including the BisayaMagasin, is based in Makati City in Metro Manila
There is also a lively Cebuano community of writers in the language, which is based outside the country
Cebuano literature encompasses not only those Visayas and Mindanao-based writers writing in Cebuano, but all written output in Cebuano, wherever its source is
Poetic forms in Cebuano literature
Balak (which contains a balaybay or metaphor)
Tigmo (riddles)
Panultihon (proverbs)
Garay verses
Balitaw
A poetic debate that required the participants (a man and a woman) to improvise and even sing their lines
Kulilising hari
An improvised poetry in the dramatic genre
Oral traditions in Cebuano literature
Legends associated with specific locales, like the "Maria Cacao" legends of Southern Cebu and those of Lapu-Lapu and his father Datu Manggal of Mactan
Folktales like the fable "Haring Gangis ug Haring Leon", which gives caution on the unmannerly behavior by the prevailing group
Juan Pusong trickster tales
It was only in the late 19th century when written literature became noteworthy in Cebuano
Soneto sa Pagdayeg can Santa Maria Gihapon Virgen
The first of many religious compositions that show a loss of the mysterious symbol and metaphor of pre-colonial verse
Pasyon
The longest poetic form, a verse interpreting the life and suffering of JesusChrist that is read during the Lent season
Among the publications before the war, only Bisaya has survived as a literary outlet of Cebuano, caused by the rise in stature of English and later Tagalog
Postwar Cebuano literature was downgraded to thirdclass, although Cebuano was still the language of home and street
Cebuano literature is probably weakest when it comes to the Drama, even though there are few writers like Claude Al Evangelio and Allan Jayme Rabaya whose writings were continued
Cebuano playwrights have slowly turned to radio- and TV-scriptwriting triggered by the worry they had regarding thoughts unusual to writing for theater, like curiosity in publication and facing the standard of the theater arts
The annual "Cornelio Faigao Memorial Writers Workshop" conducted since 1984 by the "Cebuano Studies Center of the University of San Carlos" were attended my many writers
These workshops provide a setting for people from different backgrounds and walks of life to share their crafts and discuss problems