Music of Highlands: Cordillera

In this lesson, we will explore the music

of indigenous people of Cordillera
Administrative Region composed of
the six ethnics groups below;
A. Abra: Tinguian/Itneg
B. Apayao: Apayao/Isneg
C. Benguet: Ibaloi
D. Kalinga: Kalinga
E. Ifugao:Ifugao
F. Mountain Province: Bontoc

All of the six indigenous groups

from CAR are collectively
referred as Igorots. The name
Cordillera means “ knotted
rope”, it is a name given by the
Spanish conquistadors when
they rst saw the jumbled rolls
and dips of this long-range
traversing the northern part of
Luzon Island.
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 The people of Cordillera region are nature
lovers. They appreciate the beauty of nature
and create artistic expressions through songs,
dances and art forms. Cordillera songs are
written in varied musical scales. There are some
songs that are written seven- tone scale. Tip-
Tipan of Western Bontoc is one example of
seven- tone scale song. There are songs that are
sung in free style like Oggayam. Oggayam is a
song from Kalinga, it is performed by one
person during public gathering and other
occasion. The theme depends on the events.

https://youtu.be/StdCqJ9qCiU
 Salindumay

It is an indigenous folk song associated with the Igorots and

Kalinga natives of the Cordillera Mountains in northern
part of the Philippines. It is also a response song of young
women to the Kalkalimus a songs of men during weaving
season. Salindumay are sweet melodies and expression of
gratitude. Serving as indicators of acceptance or rejection,
the song plays an important role in the lives of young people
of courtship age.

https://youtu.be/oq2_iYIS_DI
 https://youtu.be/TfeV9KK56v0

Ba-diw

The Ibaloi’s Ba-diw is a ceremonial song for

the dead and it is sung in a leader-chorus
style, whereas the epic song of Kalinga’s
Ullalim, Mountain Province’s Day-eng and
Ifugao’s Hudhud, is chanted.

Instrumental Music: Cordillera

 Gangsa
It is a single hand-held smooth-surfaced gong with a narrow
rim. A set of gangsa played
One gong per musician. The number of gangsa in a set varied
with availability and depends on the tradition of a particular
ethnic group of Luzon Cordillera provinces, among the
Kalinga people, gangsa is played in two ways. One way is
called “ toppaya” and other is called “pattung”. In toppaya
style, musician 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 le 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.

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 Kalaleng or Tongali ( nose ute)
It is called nose ute because
the word “kaleleng” means nise and has a
narrow internal diameter, it is possible to
play di erent harmonics through
overblowing even with even with the rather
weak air ow from one nostril. Thus, this
nose ute can play notes in a range of two
and a half octaves. Finger holes in the side
of the bamboo tube change the operating
length, giving various scales. Players plug
the other nostril to increase the force of
their breath through the ute.
fl
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fl
fl
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 Tongatong
It is a bamboo percussion instrument
used by the people of Kalinga to
communicate with spirits during
house blessings. It is made of bamboo
cut in various lengths. When you hit it
against so earth a certain drone
reverberates though the instrument's
open mouth. When an entire set of
Tongatong is played in interloping
rhythm and prolonged with the tribal
chanting, it could put the audience
and the dancers in a trance.
ft

 Diwdiw-as
It is 5 or more di erent size
of slender bamboo that
is tied together. It is played
by blowing air into the
reeds as the instrument is
moved from side to side.

ff

 Saggeypo
Saggeypo is a bamboo pipe
that is closed on one end by a
node with the open end held
against the lower lip of the
player as he blows directly
across the top. The pipe can
be played individually by one
person or in ensembles of
three or more.

 Sulibaw
It is hallowed wooden drum of
the Igorot. It us
topped with pig skin or lizard
skin. It us played by striking the
drumhead with the palm of the
hand. The person playing must
be half seated so as to hold the
sulibaw on his lap.

 Bungkaka or bilbil
It is a bamboo
instrument used by the
Tingguians. Bungkaka
is played by striking the
open end of the
bamboo against the
palm of the hand.

 Kolitong
It is a bamboo zither with 6-10 parallel string.
It is played by plucking the string of the
zither.

Checking Your Learning

A. Multiple Choice: Identify the musical instruments being described in each number.
Circle the letter that corresponds to the correct answer.
1. What instrument has 6 to 10 parallel strings and played by plucking the string of the
zither?
A. Pat-ting
B. Diwdiw-as
C. Tonggali
D. Kolitong
2. What instrument is also called as nose ute?
A. Tong-gali
B. Bungkaka
C. Gangsa
D. Sulibaw

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3. What do you call on a hallowed drum of the Igorots?

A. Sulibaw
B. Gangsa
C. Kimbal
D. Kolitong
4. An instrument made of bronze and used by the Igorots in their rituals?
A. Gong
B. Gangsa
C. Bunkaka
D. Kimbal
5. What the meaning of the name “Cordillera”?
A. Knotted ripe
B. Knotted rope
C. Knotted roop
D. Knotted reep

Activity
Direction: Make a comparison of music of the following
ethnic group of CAR;
A. Itneg
B. Apayao
C. Ibaloi
D. Kalinga
E. Ifugao
F. Bontoc
Note: Use any Ipad applications (keynote, popplet app).