|
MUSLIM/MORO SUITE
A solo slave dance performed by the umbrella-bearing
attendant to win the favor of her sultan master. Asik usually
precedes a performance of Singkil.
Also called Sambi sa Malong, this Maranao dance
shows the many ways of donning the malong, a tubular circle of cloth
used as a skirt, shawl, or mantle.
Katsudoratan depicts a royal manner of "walking"
among the Maranao people who live mainly around Lake Lanao. Ladies
of the royal court perform this stately dance in preparation for an
important event. The bright colors and flowing handkerchiefs add to
the drama of the dance.
A popular festival dance in Sulu, it is performed in
wedding celebrations among the affluent families. They may last for
several days or even weeks depending on the financial status and
agreement of both families. Dancers perform this dance to the music
of the kulintangan, gabbang, and agongs during the wedding feast.
This dance takes its name from the bells worn on the
ankles of the Muslim princess. Perhaps one of the oldest of truly
Filipino dances, the Singkil recounts the epic legend of the "Darangan"
of the Maranao people of Mindanao. This epic, written sometime in
the 14th century, tells the fateful story of Princess Gandingan, who
was caught in the middle of a forest during an earthquake caused by
the diwatas, or fairies of the forest. The criscrossed bamboo poles
represent the trees that were falling, which she gracefully avoids.
Her slave loyally accompanies her throughout her ordeal. Finally,
she is saved by the prince. Dancers skillfully manipulate apir, or
fans which represent the winds that prove to be auspicious. Royal
princesses to this day in the Sulu Archipelago are required to learn
this most difficult and noble dance.
There are other versions of Singkil. Perhaps the
version more widely performed by dance companies is the "Garden
Singkil". The story goes that the princess goes into her garden,
accompanied by her slave, and plays with the butterflies, which are
represented by the fan dancers. The movements of the fans supposedly
represent those of the butterflies, as opposed to the diwatas. In
another popular version, the prince uses a scarf instead of a sword.
Ladies of the royal court perform this stately dance
in preparation for an important event. Ladies carry woven baskets
and the dance depicts the imperial manner of walking.
|
