Pre-colonial literature in the Philippines was orally passed down through generations and included various forms such as proverbs, riddles, folksongs, tales, epics, myths, and legends. These works expressed the cultural beliefs, traditions, and wisdom of indigenous Filipino peoples before colonization. Common themes included creation stories, moral lessons, and cultural norms conveyed through symbolism and memorable oral forms. The arrival of colonizers threatened some of these oral traditions, making efforts to document pre-colonial literature important for preserving cultural heritage and identity.

1. PRE-- COLONIAL
LITERATURE
(Early Times -- 1564)

2. Philippine's Pre colonial Literature is heavily rooted to our
ancestors' heritage, beliefs and culture. It was marked during the
arrival of the Philippines Archipelago's first inhabitants with which
considered as the forefathers of the Filipino today.
During those times when the Philippines was free from all
colonization, it is overflowing with authentic and abundant oral
literature. Our ancestors are filled with creatives powess of crafting
stories they believed exist. They had stories of how one thing came
to be-- the rich folktales, myths , and legends. These are all
products of their daily observation about life and their own
experiences..
These storiesbare tales and lore of the past. Some were not
preserved, but what was left and survived conformed to our oral
literaturr today.

3. Here are forms of literature that
continue to exist.
• Proverbs are simple and traditional sayings that
give us nuggets of wisdom. It delivers significant
truths about life in a form of little entertainment. In
Filipino, these are called salawikain.
Example: Matibay ang walis, palibhasay
magkabigkis.
(People gain strength by standing
together.)

4. • Riddles are playful statements or questions having an
obscure meaning intended to be answered or solved.
The statement may sound like humorous but it has a
deeper meaning. In Filipino, these are called bugtong.
Example: Hinila ko ng tadyang, lumapad ang tiyan.
Answer: PAYONG
• Folksongs are traditional song of our ancestors that
have been passed down from one generation to
another. These local songs are considered part of the
rich culture of the Filipinos. It may be in the form of
courtship song or harana, harvest song, war song,
lullabies and the likes.
Examples: Si Pilemon, Ili-ili tulog anay, Dandansoy, ect.

5. • Tales are creatives stories that generally talk about
how one thing came to be. It speaks of the origin of
a particultar thing. These are also called as myhts
and legends.
Examples: Cinderella, Dogedog, Sleeping beauty, etc.
• Epics are long-narrative poemss about the heroic
deeds, adventures, and even misfortunes of a hero.
The hero in the story is characterized as brave and
courageous and is well-presented with good values.
Example: Agyu: The Ilianon Epic of Mindanao (of the
Manobos of North Cotabato)

6. • Myths are stories that are based on tradition. Some
may have factual origins, while others are
completely fictional. But myths are more than mere
stories and they serve a more profound purpose in
ancient and modern cultures. Myths are sacred tales
that explain the world and man's experience.
Examples: Aswang, Mananggal, Anito, Sigbin, ect.
• Legends is a genre of folklore that consists of a
narrative featuring human actions, believed or
perceived to have taken place in human history.
Narratives in this genre may demonstrate human
values, and possess certain qualities that give the
tale verisimilitude.
Examples: Homer's "Odyssey" and Chrétien de
Troyes' tales of King Arthur.

7. The pre colonial literature includes all literature
produced before the Spanish colonization like chants,
proverbs, songs, and folk narratives. These were all passed
down from generation to generation by word of mouth.
Philippine folk narratives are varied and distinct.
The cultural achievements of pre-colonial Philippines
include those covered by the prehistory and the early
history (900–1521) of the Philippine archipelago's
inhabitants, the pre-colonial forebears of today's Filipino
people.
Pre-colonial literary pieces transferred in traditional
narratives, speeches, and songs include Tigmo in Cebuano,
Bugtong in Tagalog, patototdon in Bicol, and paktakon in
Ilonggo. Baybayin (to spell) was the pre-colonial writing
system in the Philippines. Some modern scripts in the
Philippines descended from Baybayin.

8. Pre-colonial literature refers to the oral and written
literary traditions of cultures and societies before
they were colonized by European powers. This
diverse body of literature is rich in cultural,
historical, and linguistic significance.
Here are some key points about pre-colonial
literature:
• Oral Tradition: Many pre-colonial societies
relied on oral storytelling as their primary
means of preserving and transmitting their
cultural and historical narratives. These oral
traditions included myths, legends, folktales,
epics, and songs passed down through
generations.

9. • Diversity: Pre-colonial literature is incredibly
diverse, encompassing a wide range of languages,
cultures, and regions. Examples include African oral
epics like the Sundiata Epic from West Africa and
the oral traditions of Native American tribes.
• Storytelling Forms: Different cultures used various
forms of storytelling. For instance, Native American
tribes often employed storytelling through
ceremonial dances, while African cultures used
griots (oral historians and poets) to maintain their
oral traditions.

10. • Religious and Moral Themes: Much of pre-colonial
literature had religious or moral themes, conveying the
values and beliefs of the society. These narratives often
explained the origin of the world, creation myths, and
the roles of deities.
• Symbolism and Proverbs: Symbolism and proverbs
played a crucial role in pre-colonial literature. These
were used to convey complex ideas, cultural norms,
and moral lessons in a concise and memorable
manner.
• Written Records: In some pre-colonial societies,
particularly in ancient civilizations like Egypt and
Mesopotamia, there were written records of
literature on materials like papyrus or clay tablets.
These writings included poetry, religious texts, and
historical accounts.

11. • Influence on Post-Colonial Literature: Pre-colonial
literature has had a significant influence on post-
colonial literature as writers and scholars from
formerly colonized regions draw upon their cultural
heritage to create new works that reflect their
identity and experiences.
• Preservation Challenges: The oral nature of much
pre-colonial literature has posed challenges for
preservation. Colonization and missionary efforts
often disrupted or altered these traditions, making
it important to document and study them to
prevent loss.
•

12. Overall, pre-colonial literature represents a rich
tapestry of storytelling, cultural expression, and
historical documentation that continues to shape
the cultural identity of many societies around the
world.

13. TRIVIA!!
Here are some trivia facts about pre-colonial
literature from various cultures around the world:
• Sanskrit Epics: The ancient Indian epics, the
Mahabharata and Ramayana, are among the
longest epic poems in the world, with thousands
of verses.
• Indigenous American Stories: Indigenous peoples
in the Americas shared myths, legends, and oral
histories long before the arrival of European
colonizers.

14. • Polynesian Oral Literature: Polynesian cultures, like
the Maori of New Zealand, have a rich tradition of
oral literature, including creation myths and epic
stories.
• Arabic Poetry: Arabic poetry, such as the
"Mu'allaqat" or"Hanging Odes," is celebrated for its
intricate rhyme and meter patterns.
• Norse Sagas: The Vikings in Scandinavia created
sagas, narrative prose accounts of historical and
legendary events, offering insights into their culture
and beliefs.
These are just a few examples of the diverse and
fascinating pre-colonial literary traditions that existed
around the world. Each culture had its unique forms of
storytelling and expression.

15. THANK YOU !!!