Thursday- 2/15/24

TANAGA
(https://poetryispretentious.com/tanaga/)
The tanaga is a Filipino poetry form. The earliest recorded tanaga poem is from the 16th century.
Most of these poems are translated from their native language of Tagalog. It is a deceptively
simple form. The traditional tanaga is a quatrain of seven-syllable lines. The syllable count looks
like this: 7-7-7-7. It has an AABB rhyme scheme. Similar to the haiku, tanagas usually remain
untitled, letting just the four lines hold all the weight of the poem. Modern variations of the
tanaga allow for freer rhyme schemes such as ABAB, ABBA, ABAA, and occasionally even
ABCD and AAAA. This poetry form is unfortunately on the brink of dying out, but there are
fierce advocates of its use. We’re featuring it here to provide another outlet for its resurgence.
Plus, it’s just fun!
Rules of Tanaga:
1. It is a poem of four lines (quatrain)
2. It is usually a rhyming poem
3. Each line contains seven syllables (7-7-7-7)
4. AABB is the traditional rhyme scheme
5. But variations in rhyme scheme are allowed
6. Just have fun!
Let’s Try!
In 40 minutes create your own Tanaga poem, write your poem in your notebook/cattleya. Follow
the given rules on making the Tanaga. Examples of Tanaga poems below.