Oral Literature A. Riddles B. Proverbs

1. BC-1564
The
Pre-Colonial
Period

2. The Pre-Colonial
Period
This existed before the
Spanish occupation
in the 1500s.

3. The Pre-Colonial
Period
It is oral in nature and is full of
lessons and ideas about life,
its blessings, and its
consequences.

4. The Pre-Colonial
Period
It contains ideas from birth
to the grave.

5. The Pre-Colonial
Period
The oral characteristic of
pre-colonial literature gives
the possibility for many
alterations.

6. The Pre-Colonial
Period
In the Philippine context, no
matter how it may be
considered as altered, pre-
colonial literature is still revered
to by many Filipinos.

7. The Pre-Colonial
Period
The sources are usually the
local native town folk.

8. The Pre-Colonial Period
Forms
1. Oral Literature 2. Folk Songs
a. Riddles a. Lullabies
b. Proverbs b. Drinking
Songs
c. Love
Songs
d. Songs of
Death
e. Religious
Songs
3. Folk Tales
a. Myths
b. Legends
c. Fables

9. Oral Literature
Performed art that
uses words as a
medium of
communication
Repository of the
critical knowledge ,
philosophy and
wisdom
Provides a portrait of
the meaning of life
It contains the history
of the society and its
experience
Provides a guide to
human behavior and
how to live one’s life
It defines, interpret
and elaborate the
society’s vision of
reality and the
danger in the world.

10. Oral literature
a. Riddles
• These are statements that contain
superficial words, but they function
figuratively and as metaphors, and
are in the form of questions.
• These are questions that demand
deeper answers.
• Deals with everyday life.
• It usually has mundane things as
answers.
• This is used in the past as a form of
game in small or large gatherings.

11. Oral literature
a. Riddles example
Bisaya
Baboy sa lasang,
(A wild pig of the forest,)
Ang tunok puro lansang.
(Is covered with spikes.)
Answer: Nangka (Jackfruit)

12. Oral literature
a. Riddles example
Meranaw
Sominub lawiyan,
(It dived,)
Mbowat lawitan.
(It rose.)
Answer: Ragum (Needle)

13. Oral literature
a. Riddles example
Chabacano
Tagia que tagia,
(You keep on slashing it,)
Hende ta penetra.
(But it does not penetrate)
Answer: Agua (Water)

14. Oral literature
B. Proverbs
 These are statements that are
considered as wise.
 These are usually given by parents or
elders of the community.
 There is belief that experience is the
best teacher.
 To express broader truth, it often uses
metaphors.
 It uses metaphor

15. Oral literature
B. Proverbs
Example
Mandaya on Viriginity
Yang ataog aw madugdug, (An egg once
broken,)
Di da mamauli. (Will never be the same.)

16. Oral literature
B. Proverbs
Example
Tausug on Secret Affairs
In lasa iban uba, (Love and cough,)
Di hikatapuk. (Cannot be hidden)

17. Oral literature
B. Proverbs
Example
Ilocano on Guilt
Ti agutak, (He who cackles
Isut nagitlog. (Laid the egg.)