The Philippines Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow
Kolitong Philippine Zithers are tube bamboo or wood-stringed instruments that are plucked or struck. It is of two kinds: polychordal with several strings and the parallel which has two strings on one side of the tube. Some names for zithers across the Philippine islands are: kolitong, kollessing, kulibet, saluray, tambi, bamban, tabengbeng, kudling, and tabobo. … Read more
There are varied types of Philippine jew harps across the islands. In Southern Philippines, for the groups found on the island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, the playing of the kubing or jew’s harp is for courtship and recreation by the younger generation. The instrument is used to mask the poetry being mouthed by … Read more
Bisaya: KalasagTagalog: Adarga; Pananggalang! The Tinguian often use a spear, head ax, and kalasag in past headhunting practices. The top part of the kalasag which is cut into three prongs in the shape of a “W” is used to catch the warrior’s human prey by the legs and hold them down, while the two-pronged bottom … Read more
The barong may be inlaid or etched with Arabic phrases such as “There is no god but Allah”. The use of it may also be distinguished through its pommel, simple pommels are often intended for use in battle while elaborately stylized ones are for ceremonial use or used as a sign of status. This leaf-shaped … Read more
In the Tausug magpasumbayi marriage tradition, if a man is financially unable to gather the bridewealth, he is to seek the house of the woman he intends to marry with an imam and bring the amount he can afford with a kris. Should the woman’s parents refuse the offer, the kris shall be used against … Read more