Mary Joy V.

Imperial
BINAYLAN
Origin: Agusan
Pronounciation: bih-NYE-lahn
This is a ritual dance that originated from the Bagobo tribe living in the central uplands of
Mindanao. The dance imitates the movements of a hen, her banog or baby chicks, and a hawk. The
hawk is sacred and is believed that it has the power over the well being of the tribe. The hawk tries
to capture one of the baby chicks and is killed by the hunters.
It is a worship dance. It is dance by the Baylan or spiritual leader (abyan a spiritual guide).
The main purpose of this is to worship the Supreme Being (magbabaja). Rituals sustain the spiritual
and social life of the indigeneous Filipinos.