Vocal Music of Mindoro

Mindoro is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. It is located off the coast of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan.
The southern coast of Mindoro forms the northeastern extremum of the Sulu Sea.
In past times, it has been called Mai or Mait by Chinese traders and, by Spaniards, as Mina de Oro (meaning mine of
gold") from where the island got its current name.
Mindoro is also home to the Tamaraw or Mindoro dwarf buffalo (Bubalus mindorensis), which is endemic to the island.
The Tamaraw is a bovine related to the water buffalo and is an endangered species.
The principal language in Mindoro is Tagalog, although in some parts it has been greatly influenced by the native
Visayan and Mangyan languages.
Hanun'o language is a language spoken by Mangyans in the province of Mindoro in the Philippines
Division The island was once a single province from 1920 to 1950. On June 13, 1950, by virtue of Republic Act no.
505, Mindoro was divided into Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro.
Occidental Mindoro "Home of the Indigenous Mangyans". Its capital is Mamburao and occupies the western half of the
island of Mindoro
Oriental Mindoro Calapan City- the only city in the island and the provincial capital. Rice Granary and Fruit Basket
of Southern Tagalog Banana King and Calamansi King of the region.
CULTURAL PRESERVATION AND MARGINALIZATION OF CULTURE
Mangyan culture Mangyan cultural practices are in danger of vanishing because of the influence of modern lowland
culture. The literature and traditions of the different Mangyan groups are short of documentation; thus, mainstream
society lacks awareness of the beauty of Mangyan culture and its relevance to Filipino culture as a whole.
Terminologies Damuong- the non-Mangyan groups Hanunuo- they considered themselves as real, true or genuine
Mangyan. Urukoy- words of wisdom chanted on festive occasion by elders of the tribe. Luka- bamboo tube wherein the
ambahan is carved out.
Tau-buid Mangyan traditional house
The Mangyan People
Mangyan groups There are around 300 million indigenous peoples in the world. In the Philippines, of the projected
population of 94 million in 2010, about 15% belong to indigenous groups. [AusAID] Mangyan is the collective name for
the eight indigenous groups living in Mindoro, each with its own name, language, and set of customs: Iraya Alangan
Tadyawan Tau-buid Bangon Buhid Hanunuo Ratagnon
Mangyan Syllabic Script or Surat Mangyan The Mangyans of SOuthern Mindoro, Philippines, (also referred to as
Hanunuo Mangyans),are still practising a pre-Spanish syllabic writing system that was in general use all over the
Philippines at the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century. The Mangyan script, together with the Northern-Buhid in
Mindoro and the Palawan scripts,have been declared by the National Museum as National Cultural Treasures on
December 9, 1997.
The Ambahan
The ambahan is the traditional poetry of the Hanunuo Mangyans of Oriental Mindoro. It is usually written on bamboo
in the Surat Mangyan, a centuries-old pre-Spanish script. The syllabic script and the ambahan poetry have complemented
each other, contributing to their continued existence today.
Characteristics of Ambahan It is a rhythmic poetic expression with a meter of seven syllable lines Each line
rhymed at the end. It is most often presented as a chant without a determined musical pitch or accompaniment by
musical instruments. An expression in a riddle-like form or in allegorical manner. Varied in length and complexity.
For children it is short and simple For adult, it is lengthier and complicated Preserved by way of inscribing them on
bamboo tubes. Song content were wide range based on daily life events
The ambahan is a chanted verse, but it is changed plainly or almost recited. The rendering of the ambahan with musical
pitch might differ from person to person. Some might intone the words like in common conversation; others might use it a
monotone recitation; or still others might sing it with a distinct melody.
Hanunuo-Mangyan English Filipino My dear baby, do not cry 'cause the wild cat might hear us! The big one from over
there, with his awful longstretched howl! Helpless are we if he comes. Our spear is broken still and our bolo bent and
blunt! Huwag ka ngang umiyak Hala ka at mapukaw Pusang-ligaw sa gubat Ngumiyaw, maghihiyaw Wala kitang
pambugaw Sibat nati'y nawasak Gulok nati'y nabingaw!
Conversational Ambahan language language English amang inang danom balay niyog bagaw mata father mother water
house coconut talk eye bansay suyong kagnan labag bu-anay duyan pamidkan
Vocal Music Iyaya- lullabye Ayung or Ngayung ritual chant Igway- Mangyan province music Marayaw- spirit song
Pamuybuyen- (legend)- it means fear of water