MUSIC 7
Unit II: Music of
the Cordillera,
Palawan, Mindoro,
and the Visayas
Lesson 1:
Music of Cordillera
Page 4 - 6
When you hear the word “Cordillera” what come to your mind?
The Cordillera is located in one of the highest and largest mountain
ranges in the Philippines. There are six provinces comprising it,
namely, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain
Province and lone city (Baguio) comprising it.
What are the different groups of indigenous
people in Cordillera?
Isneg Ifugao Kalinga Bontoc Kankanaey
Ibaloi Tingguian Bago
IGOROTS
Cordilleran's view land as the source of life, an integral part of their
cultural identity that traces its origin from the land.
The Cordillera region is known for its unique musical instruments
including the gangsa kalinga, nose flute, bamboo flute, buzzer,
bangibang, tongatong, diwdiw-as, saggeypo, and bamboo zither.
Characteristics of Music of Cordillera
1. Music is very much part of life and living.
.
~ This is evident in many occasions such as in the life passage event, work or
occupational activities, ceremonies and entertainment.
CHILDHOOD / LIFE LOVE, DEATH RITE MUSIC
PASSAGE EVENT COURTSHIP & ~ Didiyaw – song to a dead child of
MARRIAGE Bontoc.
~ Owiwi – lullaby of Kalinga
that relate a child’s life. ~ Chag-ay – an ~ Sangsangit – a dirge of Isneg.
~ Dagdagay – song of expression of secret
Kalinga that foretells the love of Bontoc. CEREMONIAL MUSIC
baby’s future. ~ Kapya – song of Bontoc for curing
~ Oggayan – greeting
~ Oppiya – kalinga song, ceremonies.
and advice to
sung while cradling. ~ Dawak – song of Ilongot for
newlywed of Kalinga.
ceremonies.
WORK / OCCUPATIONAL SONG
~ Sowe – ey – rice pounding song of Bontoc.
~ Dakuyon – kalinga song for hunting bats.
~Dinaweg – Ilongot song for catching wild boar.
~ Owayat – song for gathering firewood of Ilongot.
~ Chey-assa – Bontoc rive pounding song sung in a group.
ENTERTAINMENT SONG
~ Hudhud – epic song of Ifugao, a leader chorus style.
~ Alim – leader chorus style music of Ifugao where to groups of singers reply
to 2 make leaders.
~ Dang Dang-ay – Kalinga entertainment song.
2. Have a rich variety of songs and music performed on instrument.
3. Often performed in groups, all members of the community are welcome
and encouraged to join the singing, dancing and playing of instruments.
4. Songs are usually in unison of pentatonic melodies.
~ Their music is pentatonic in nature, this means that they use five melodic
tones. These tones are the “DO, RE, MI, SOL and LA”
5. Their music is communal and participatory.
~ Which is usually performed in group where everyone is welcome to
showcase their talents in singing, dancing and playing of instrument.
~ It is amazing how their culture through music, teaches us the value of unity.
6. Music and other components of their culture are transmitted from
generation to generation through oral tradition.
Oral tradition is cultural material and traditions transmitted orally from one
generation to another. Oral may refer to speech communication as opposed
to writing.
Musical Instruments
1. Gangsa Ensemble – these instruments are made out of metal.
Cordillera: Kalinga, Ifugao, Bontoc. Among the Kalinga people in the
Cordillera region of Luzon Island, the gangsa is played in two ways. One
way is called “toppaya” and the other is called “pattung”.
In “toppaya” style, the musicians play the surface of the gangsa with their
hand while in a sitting position, with a single gangsa resting on the lap of
each musician.
In the “pattung” style, a gangsa is suspended from the musician’s left hand
and played with a padded stick held in the musician’s right hand. In the
“pattung” style of playing, the players are standing, or they keep in step
with the dancers while bending forward slightly.
Musical Instruments
2. Bamboo Ensemble – One of the commonly used materials in making
indigenous musical instruments. Because of its tube-like form, our
ancestors were able to invent different musical instruments that can
produce melody or rhythmical pattern made of bamboo.
a. Bungkaka – Used by the Tingguians. Known as the bamboo buzzer.
b. Diwdiw – an instrument consisting of five or more bamboo pipes fixed
together. It is played by blowing air into the needs as it is moved from
one side to side.
d. Ulibaw – This instrument is popularly known as the “jaws harp.”
e. Tongatong – this is cut in variety of lengths and is played by striking
the base of the instrument against a hard surface like stone, cement, or
flooring. It can be played with alternate rhythms and can be used as
accompaniment to the chanting while dancing.
f. Kulitong – this bamboo zither instrument has 6-10 parallel strings. It
is played by plucking the strings of the zither.
h. Solibao – This is a hollowed wooden drum covered with pig or lizard
skin. Its sound is produced by hitting the drum head with the palm of the
hand.
i. Pateteg – this is a bamboo leg xylophone.
j. Tongali or Kaleleng – this is a bamboo nose flute.
