DANCES
Tinikling (tih-NIHK-lihng)
Honored as the
Philippine national dance, Tinikling is a
favorite in the Visayan islands, especially on
the island of Leyte. 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.
Singkil (seehng-KEEHL)
This dance takes its name from the bells worn on
the ankles of the Muslim princess. Perhaps one
of the oldest of truly Filipino dances, the
Singkil recounts the epic legend of the "Darangan"
of the Maranao people of Mindanao. This epic,
written sometime in the 14th century, tells the
fateful story of Princess Gandingan, who was
caught in the middle of a forest during an
earthquake caused by the diwatas, or
fairies of the forest. The criscrossed bamboo
poles represent the trees that were falling,
which she gracefully avoids. Her slave loyally
accompanies her throughout her ordeal. Finally,
she is saved by the prince. Dancers skillfully
manipulate apir, or fans which represent
the winds that prove to be auspicious. Royal
princesses to this day in the Sulu Archipelago
are required to learn this most difficult and
noble dance.
