National Living Treasures: Samaon Sulaiman

samaon sulaiman

SAMAON SULAIMAN (+ 2011)

Musician

Magindanao

Mama sa Pano, Maguindanao

1993

The Magindanaon, who are among the largest of Filipino Islamic groups, are concentrated in the towns
of Dinaig, Datu Piang, Maganoy and Buluan in Magindanao province. Highly sophisticated in weaving,
okir designs, jewelry, metalwork and brassware, their art is Southeast Asian yet distinct in character.

In the field of music, the Magindanaon has few peers among Filipino cultural communities. Their
masters on the kulintang (gong-chime) and kutyapi (two-stringed plucked lute) are comparable to any
instrumental virtuoso in the East or West.

The kutyapi is a favorite solo instrument among both Muslim and non-Muslim Filipinos and is also
played in combination with other instruments. It exists in a great variety of designs, shapes, and sizes
and known by such names as kotapi (Subanon), fegereng (Tiruray), faglong (B’laan), hegelong (T’boli)
and kuglong or kudlong (Manobo).
The Magindanao kutyapi is one of the most technically demanding and difficult to master among Filipino
traditional instruments, which is one reason why the younger generation is not too keen to learn it. Of
its two strings, one provides the rhythmic drone, while the other has movable frets that allow melodies
to be played in two sets of pentatonic scales, one containing semitones, the other containing none.

Magindanao kutyapi music is rich in melodic and rhythmic invention, explores a wide range of timbres
and sound phenomena – both human and natural, possesses a subtle and variable tuning system, and is
deeply poetic in inspiration.

Though it is the kulintang that is most popular among the Magindanaon, it is the kutyapi that captivates
with its intimate, meditative, almost mystical charm. It retains a delicate, quiet temper even at its most
celebrative and ebullient mood.

Samaon Sulaiman achieved the highest level of excellence in the art of kutyapi playing. His extensive
repertoire of dinaladay, linapu, minuna, binalig, and other forms and styles interpreted with refinement
and sensitivity fully demonstrate and creative and expressive possibilities of his instrument.

Learning to play the kutyapi from his uncle when he was about 13 years old, he has since, at 35 become
the most acclaimed kutyapi master and teacher of his instrument in Libutan and other barangays of
Maganoy town, deeply influencing the other acknowledged experts in kutyapi in the area, such as
Esmael Ahmad, Bitul Sulaiman, Nguda Latip, Ali Ahmad and Tukal Nanalon.

Aside from kutyapi, Samaon is also proficient in kulintang, agong (suspended bossed gong with wide
rim), gandingan (bossed gong with narrow rim), palendag (lip-valley flute), and tambul.

Samaon was a popular barber in his community and serve as an Imam in the Libutan mosque.

For his exemplary artistry and dedication to his chosen instrument, for his unwavering commitment to
the music of the kutyapi at a time when this instrument no longer exists in many parts of Mindanao,
Samaon Sulaiman is worthy of emulation and the highest honors. (Prof. Felipe M. de Leon, Jr.)