THE EVOLUTION OF TAYAW

Tayaw dance is what people term the dances accompanied by songs by local singers (Sisiwit, Soyosoy,
Montanyosa, etc.). I like to refer to this as modern tayaw. It is popular in parts of Cordillera--most
especially in Benguet and even parts of Ilocos region.

It became a trend in pubs and bars where people accompany live bands by dancing the Tayaw on the
dance floor. The movements are similar to the Ginalding (traditional dance of Benguet) and even other
dance movements from the traditional dances of Mt. Province and Ifugao. This is because these
movements goes along with the beat of the local songs. Now, it has become part of occasions such as
weddings, birthdays and other joyous events. Even our kailyans in overseas can still enjoy our dances
without gongs through this trend.

In some parts of Cordillera, playing gongs and dancing without a reason is prohibited. This is because
elders consider the sacredness of bringing out the gongs just for entertainment . In the olden times, our
ancestors only beat the gongs during occasions and rituals such as canao, begnas, victory celebrations,
thanksgiving rituals and others. With that, some groups came up with a way to still dance without the use
of gongs. One is the ‘Tallak’ from Bakun, Benguet. It is similar to the Ginalding but is accompanied by
tuned wood instruments that produces sounds like the gangsa.

Now with the use of songs and even in the absence of gongs, dancing using the movements of our traditional
dances has become an entertainment. This is an eminent example of how our dances evolved and adapted to
the changing times. This however, affected the practice of traditional dances.

I observed that youngsters nowadays especially in Benguet are fonder of dancing the modern tayaw than the
traditional. This is the result of the religious consideration of elders on the sanctity of playing the gongs as they
only bring it out on occasions and rituals. This resulted to children not being able/discouraged to learn to play
it. As a greater effect, the younger generation shy on participating to rituals and even in learning the musical
instruments.

When they saw this, elders now have become open to using the gongs for the children to practice and learn.
Programs such as establishing of Schools of Living Traditions, trainings and lectures on dances are also being
supported by community elders/leaders.

Change in culture is inevitable but we shall not dwell too much on these changes. We must preserve our
traditions given that we still can for our culture to thrive in this modern times. Some might not see the
importance but learning and keeping our traditions alive connect us to the past. It keeps the stories of our
ancestors on their way of life, survival and art. Let us not lose our distinct features on what makes us Igorots,
what makes us IPs.

CULTURAL GLOBALIZATION. HOW CAN IT AFFECT US?