ILOCOS NORTE Ethnic Songs and Dances

ILOCOS NORTE

Ethnic Songs and Dances

The Ilocanos have a rich, blessed culture. They are one of the most influential regional cultures in the Philippines next to Tagalog, Cebuano, and others.

In Ilocos Norte, the natives take pride in their various songs and dances, which display their different customs, beliefs and practices. Most of their native songs express their characteristics, aspirations and occupations. Passed down from generation to generation, the ethnic Ilocano culture lives on in the heart of the modern Ilocanos.

Native Ilocano songs

The Ilocanos have a handful of meaningful ethnic songs. These songs narrate life stories of the native Ilocanos, which are mostly about courtship, marriage, occupation and life.

Osi-osi—this ethnic song portrays the traditional ways of courtship.

Ayat ti Ina (Love of a Mother)—is a song that expresses how a mother loves and takes care of her child.

Napateg a Bin-I (Cherished Seed)—this song basically uses metaphors comparing a woman to a seed.

Pamulinawen (Hardened Heart)—this is the most popular Ilocano love song, which portrays a girl who does not heed the pleading of her lover. It compares the heart of a girl to a hardened flint.

Duayya ni Ayat (Love’s Lullaby)—is a song that expresses a man’s love for his lady. The man asks the lady to be careful in changing her mind and choosing another man.

Siasin ti Agayat Kenka (Who is in love with you?)—this song expresses an insistent love.

No Duaduaem Pay (If You Still Doing)—this is an ethnic song that gives the idea that the lover feels that his loved one doubts him. The man asks the lady to understand him and convince her to believe that his love is true.

Teng-nga ti Rabii (Midnight)—is a song that tells a lover who sees the image of his loved one in the middle of the night and is awakened by her voice.

Dinak Kad Dildilawen (Do Not Criticize Me)—is an Ilocano song that expresses patriotism. This song conveys service to love of country.

Kasasaad ti Kinabalasang (The life of a Maiden)—is an advice for the young maidens to consider carefully their plans of getting married.

Other popular ethnic songs are Agdamili (Pot Making), which is an occupational song; and Kanaganan, which is a birthday song.

Native Ilocano dances

The Ilocano ethnic dances are mostly perfumed during rituals and celebrations.

Binigan-bigat (Every Morning)—is a courtship dance that narrates the story of a boy who is in love with a girl from whom he asks pity.

Sileledda-ang (Grief-stricken or Laden with Sorrow)—a courtship dance showing the lover’s fondness for each other.

Manang Biday—it is a courtship dance usually performed by young people.

Sabunganay (Banana Blossom)—it symbolizes a young lady who is still too young to be courted.

Pandanggo Laoagueña—it is a courtship dance performed by either young or old Ilocanos.

Vintareña—it is a dance performed by one or two couples in social gatherings like baptismal, wedding, birthday, or thanksgiving parties.

Kutsara Pasuquiña—it is a dance during birthday parties and festivities.

Ilocana a Nasudi (Chaste Ilocano)—it is a dance that portrays a chaste and virtuous Ilocana. This dance may be performed by four pairs.

Surtido Norte (Assorted Dances from the North)—this dance is a combination of different Ilocano dance steps manifesting thrift as a trait of the people.

Rabong (Bamboo Shoot)—it is a dance glorifying the bamboo shoot as a delicacy of the Ilocanos. In Rabong, the participants sing the lyrics themselves.