Page 16 - SINING SAMAHAN 44 PROOF_Neat

The Sulu Archipelago

Just south of Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago comprises hundreds Saradpon Photography

of volcanic and coral islands and numerous rocks and reefs. The
archipelago is the home to many indigenous people including the

Tausug, Sama-Bajau, as well as the Yakan. The rich culture ranges
from deep sea-faring life to land-based agriculture. To the rhythms

of melodic gongs, SUNGSUNG PATUBUIG is played, inspired
by island and aquatic life. Contrasting the music, dancers will

often move slowly as the tempo of melody increases. They
do the movements of Pangalay which is a living link to

the traditional dance cultures of the Sulu Archipelago
with closest affinity to related Southeast Asian styles

of classical dancing. Different ways of dancing are Photography by Raynard Abalos
demonstrated using bare hands, a fan, bamboo

castanets, but most popularly, metal fingernails
extensions. Along the coasts of many islands, the

ocean waves paint a marvelous scenery with
graceful movements of the hovering seagulls

in LINGGISAN. The birds are romanticized
in DALING-DALING, a misnomer of the

English word ‘darling’ as island folk sing
and flirtatiously dance with each other.

Showcasing grace and balancing skills,
a woman performs PANGALAY HA

PATONG on top of bamboo poles
carried by a set of men. Atop the

bamboo poles, the community
demonstrates the sailing of a

large house boat simulated
Photography by Sam Antonio ~ p a g e n um b er ~
through movements of IGAL

TABAWAN.

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