Literary History of the Philippines (Pre-Colonialism Period)
1. THREE PERIODS IN THE
LITERARY HISTORY OF
THE PHILIPPINES
Pre – Colonialism
Colonialism
Post - Colonialism
2. Pre - Colonialism
The early literary forms of the
Philippines were epics, legends,
riddles and proverbs which were
told and retold by the natives.
The literature of the pre – colonial
Filipinos bore the marks of the
community.
3. Filipinos managed to preserved
laws, legends, songs and epics by
inscribing them on barks of trees,
palm leaves and bamboos.
Some of the literary forms have
managed to survived war and
tropical disasters because they
retained in the common minds and
were later reduced to permanent
forms.
5. Ex of salawikain
Ang matapat na kaibigan, tunay na
maaasahan. - - -You will know a true
friend in time of need.
6. Ex of Sawikain
kumukulo ang dugo
"blood is boiling" = is very angry
isulat sa tubig
"write on water" = forget about it
Ex of Maxims
Pag hindi ukol,
Hindi bubukol.
-means
What is not intended for one will not bear
fruit.
7. CHANTS (BULONG)
used in witchcraft and/or
enchantment
Tanaga
a quatrain expressing insights
and lessons in life
Ex. “Tahak ng tingin, tulak
ng sulyap, yakap, lapat
ng titig sa balikat.
hatak pa, kindat, hakat”
8. traditional poetry of the Hanunoo
Mangyans of Oriental Mindoro which is
normally inscribed on bamboo using a
pre-Colonial syllabic writing system
called the Surat Mangyan .
usually chanted
teaches lessons about life
recited by parents to educate their
children, by the youth to express their
love, by the old to impart experiences,
or by the community in tribal
ceremonies
9. on some occasions like burial rites, the
ambahan is used for entertainment
Sugot nga maaw kunman
Tangdayan no ma-amban
Sabungan no manuywan
Impad las yami daywan
Hanggan buhok
timbangan
Hanggan sa balod
pangdan
Bugkat di way yamungan
Bilang dayi bunlagan
No kang tinaginduman
Kang magpahalimbaw-an
Ga bugtong ti bilugan
10. Explain how the world was created,
how animals possess certain
characteristics, why some places
have volcanoes, mountains etc.
Story of Bathala
The Legend of Maria Makiling
13. Aliguyon
the exploits of Aliguyon as he battles his
arch-enemy, Pambukhayon
Biag ni Lam-Ang
tells of the adventures of Lam-Ang who
exhibits extraordinary powers at a very
early age.
Ibalon
the story of three Bicol heroes: Baltog,
Handiong, Bantiong
Hinilawod
oldest and longest epic poem in Panay
the exploits of three Sulodnon demigod
brothers, LabawDonggon, Humadapnon and
Dumalapdap of ancient Panay
14. a form of folk lyric which expresses the
people’s hopes, aspirations, and lifestyles
traditional songs and melodies
inspired by the reaction of the people to
their environment
15. uyayi – lullaby
komintang – war song
kundiman – melancholic love song
harana – serenade
Tagay (Cebuano/Waray) – drinking song
mambayu – Kalinga rice-pounding song
subli – dance-ritual song of courtship
/marriage
Kanogan (Cebuano) – song of lamentation
for the dead.