Lesson 6

INTRODUCTION TO
PHILIPPINE ETHNIC
AND FOLKDANCE
The Philippines enjoys a rich cultural heritage
which includes a diverse collection of traditional
dances. From the well-known national dance the
Tinikling, which pays homage to the movements
of a much-loved bird, to dances that reflect
elements of daily Philippine life, these folk dances
all offer a glimpse into the history of the country.
Folk dances are the
traditional social
dances of ethnic
groups, rural or urban
from all over the world.
Social dances are
participatory dances
done at weddings,
parties, and other
gatherings.
TYPES OF FOLK DANCES
Occupational dances
Religious and Ceremonial dances
Courtship dances
War dances
a. National and Regional dances
The Philippines consists of 7,107
islands, broken down in three groups
– Luzon, Visayas , and Mindanao.
Each of these areas has different
dialects, history, religion, and
traditions. Every region also has
different influences in their arts,
crafts, and ancestral dances.
THE DANCES OF LUZON
The Cordillerans or Igorot is the term or the
collective name of several ethnic groups in the
Phlippines. These tribes – The Ifugao, Kalinga,
Bontoc, Apayao, Ibaloi, kalangaya, and the
Kankanaey in benguet mostly inhabit the
mountains of Luzon.
 IDAW

As one of the cordillera dances, this Bontoc dance depicts a

war ceremony performed by warriors of rival tribes. Idaw,
meaning “bird” is celebrated because it was the omen bearer
of war.
One popular contemporary performance
in the Philippines is named after the large
banga pots. This performance
originated in the province of
Kalinga of the
Mountain Province. As
many as seven or eight pots are balanced
on the heads of maidens as they move to
the beat of the gangsa, a type of gong,
while they go about their daily routine of
fetching water while balancing the
banga. This is why the tribesmen are
known as fierce warriors.
The family is the basic structure of family life among
the Itneg or Tinggian people. Caring for the children
is shared by both the mother and father. While the
men are clearing the fields, breaking the soil with
bamboo and their feet, the women watch the children.
Maglalatik

Maglalatik was originally

performed in Biñan,
Laguna as a mock-war
dance that demonstrates a
fight between the Moros
and the Christians       
 over the prized latik or
coconut meat during the
Spanish rule, this dance is
also shown to pay tribute
to the town’s patron saint,
San Isidro       Labrador.
THE DANCES OF VISAYAS
The central islands of the Philippines, are
grouped into three sections: Central, Eastern,
and Western. The peope in the region consist of
Autronesians, Negritos, and the Animist Tribal
Group.
Tinikling

Tinikling means "bamboo dance" in English. The dance imitates the movement of the tikling birds as they walk
between grass stems, run over tree branches, or dodge bamboo traps set by rice farmers. Dancers imitate the tikling bird's
legendary grace and speed by skillfully maneuvering between large bamboo poles.
Mazurka Boholana

Mazurka Boholana is a
Spanish-inspired ballroom
dance from the Bohol province
of the Philippines. Although
the mazurka is the Polish
national dance, it was
wildly popular throughout
Europe in the 19th century and
even in colonized lands
overseas.
Escotis

It is popularly
known in Capiz and
is performed in any
social gathering of
the people inhabiting
the mountains of
Capiz in the barrios
of Tinpas
and Panitan and also
in the town of Panay.
Folk Dances from Mindanao
Mindanao is the southernmost region of The
Philippines. It is the second largest island group
and its cultural groupings consist of mostly
Muslim or “Moro” people, and other ethnic
groups such as the Maranao, Tausug,
Banguingui, and indigenous tribes known as
Lumad.
Itik-Itik

The Itik-Itik is a dance from

Surigao del Norte, in which the
movements of a duck are
imitated. An itik is a species of
duck.
Kandingan

Performed at Tausog
weddings in Jolo, the Kandingan
consists of figures and steps
based on classical and traditional
Indian dance forms.
Dancers perform with slightly
bent knees turned outward,
fingers held stiffly together with
the thumb outward and apart.