The Pre-Spanish Period

OTHER FORMS OF PRE-SPANISH POETRY

Epigrams
Riddles
Chants
Maxims
Proverbs or Sayings
Sawikain
1. EPIGRAMS (SALAWIKAIN)
These have been customarily used and served as
laws or rules on good behavior by our ancestors.
To others, these are like allegories or parables
that impart lessons for the young.
Example:
“Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo.”
2. RIDDLES (BUGTONG O PALAISIPAN
These are made up of one or more measured lines
with rhyme and may consist of four to 12 syllables.

Example:
May binti, walang hita
May tuktok, walang mukha.
3. CHANT (BULONG)
Used in witchcraft or enchantment.

Example:
“Ikaw ang nagnanakaw ng bigas ko Lumuwa sana ang
mata mo mamaga sana ang katawan mo Patayin ka ng
mga anito.”
4. MAXIMS
Some are rhyming couplets with verses of 5, 6 or 8
syllables, each line having the same number of
syllables.

Example:
Pag hindi ukol Hindi bubukol.
Sa marunong umunawa Sukat ang ilang salita.
5. SAYINGS (KASABIHAN)
Often used in teasing or to comment on a
person’s actuations.
 
Example:
“Putak, putak Batang duwag Matapang ka’t Nasa pugad”
6. SAWIKAIN
Sayings with no hidden meanings

Example:
“Nasa Diyos ang awa Nasa tao ang gawa.”
 PREPARED BY:
ANICIETE, MAYLEEN M.

SUBMITTED TO:
MR. ALVIN LIM