Philippine Traditional Folk Dances

1. The Philippine
Traditional Dances
Health Optimizing Physical Education 3

2. At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
1. Explain the nature of the different dances,
its history, characteristics, classifications
and fundamental steps.
2. Value the importance of the nature of the
different dances to preserve the cultural
identity and diversity; and
3. Categorize the different dances according
to its nature, origin, and forms.

3. Traditional Dances
Traditional dances are
dances of indigenous communities
that show cultural traits of people
in specific time and place. Customs
and traditions through dance steps
and costumes are preserved in
traditional dance. These dances are
handed down from generation to
generation, with fixed sets or
patterns.

4. Forms of Traditional Dances
•Ethnic Dances
•Folk Dances

5. Ethnic Dances
These are classified into two major
categories:
 The dances of the Non-Christian
Filipinos are made up to the pagan
groups and the Muslim groups.
 There are the dances of the Christian
and the lowland Filipinos, some of which
are comprised of savage and vigorous or
light-hearted.
Other forms have neither music nor
melodic accompaniment. Some examples
are the dances of the aetas and that of the
Muslims.

6. Folk Dances
This area classified according to
geographical locations and the nature of
the dances. According to geographical
locations, folk dances can be national
(dances with common basic
movements, with slight variations) or
local/regional (dances that are unique
to certain localities only). According to
the nature of dance, folk dances can be:
occupational dances, religious or
ceremonial dances; courtship dances;
wedding dances; festival dances; war
dances; comic dances; game dances;
and social dances.

7. The Philippine Folk Dance
The traditional dance of a given country which evolved naturally and spontaneously
with everyday activities. e.g. occupations, customs, festivals, rituals It is handed down from
generation to generation.
Ethnic dances or ethnological dances are folk dances performed in indigenous tribes
and have retained their close kinship with religious ritual and community custom.

8. Things to Remember
• Folk dances are the indigenous dances of any specific “folk” or common
people.
• Folk dance is the oldest form of dance and the earliest form of
communication.
• It has more or less a fixed movement in their pattern but may differ in
various areas or provinces.
• Francisca Reyes- Aquino is the Mother of Philippine Folk Dance because
of her invaluable work as the first researcher in Philippine Folk dancing.
• Lopez (2006) further stated that Philippine folk dance, to be called such,
should have the following characteristics:
 It is traditional.
 It has an expressive behaviour.
 Simple, basic rhythm dominates the folk dance and establishes the
pattern of movement.
 It is created by an unknown choreographer or through communal
efforts.
 It performs a function in the life of the (folk) people.

9. Five Major Classifications
Of Philippine Folk Dance
1. Cordillera Dances
2. Spanish Influenced Dances
3. Rural Dances
4. Muslim Dances
5. Tribal Dances

10. Cordillera Dances
 Bontoc, Ifugao, Benguet, Apayo, &
Kalinga tribes.
 A people whose way of life existed
long before any
 Dances reflects rituals or other
which celebrate in their lives - a
good foot on the harvest, health,
peace, Philippines war, and other.
 Gongs, ganza symbols of living
 Cordillera Dances Bontoc –
“Pattong”Kalinga – “Banga”

11. Rural Dances
 Shows gaiety & laughter,
festivities
 Performed in fiestas to honor
patron saints give homage to the
barrios namesake for a good
harvest, health
 Reflects the simple life of
perseverance the people in the
barrio
 Indigenous materials,
 Depicts common work, clapping,
rondalla, daily activities of the
percussion peasants instruments
 Rural Dances “Maglalatik”,“Saut sa
Rarug”, “Oasioas”

12. Spanish Influenced
Dances
 Philippine aristocrats created
Filipino adaptations of European
dances
 Jotas, fandanggos, mazurkas,
waltzes
 Danced by young
 Dances reflects socialites to the
Christianity, and stringed music of
European art and the rondalla
culture
 Spanish Influenced Dances
“Jota” “Habanera”

13. Muslim Dances
 Influenced by Malay,
Javanese & Middle Eastern
Traders (Islam)
 Mysticism, royalty, and
beauty
 Uses intricate hand & arm
movement
 The fingers express feelings
& emotions
 Uses shimmering costumes
 Muslim Dances Maranao –
“Singkil”Tausug – “Pangalay”

14. Tribal Dances
 Intricate craftsmanship in
metal, clothing, and jewelry
 Reflects rituals & animals,
belief in “spirits” & shamans,
 Also known as Ethnic nature –
“anito” dances; Ethnic
minorities
 Animal sounds, found in
different parts of human singing,
the Philippines
 (T’boli, Bilaan, Manobo,
Bagobo, indigenous materials)
 Tribal Dances T’boli – “Madal
Tahaw”Manobo – “Bangkakaw”

15. Costumes in Philippine
Folk Dance
1. Typical Spanish Elite
2. Rural (Tagalog)
3. Rural (Visayan)
4. Rural (Ilocano)
5. Cordillera/Tribal
6. Muslim

16. Typical Spanish Elite
Female: MARIA CLARA
Male: Barong Tagalog &
Black Pants

17. Rural (Tagalog)
Female: BALINTAWAK
with soft panuelo & tapis
Male: Camisa de Chino &
trousers of different
colors

18. Rural (Visayan)
Female: Kimona &
Patadyong with soft
kerchief
Male: Barong or Camisa
de Chino and trousers of
any color

19. Rural (Ilocano)
Female: Chambra
(Blouse) & Siesgo (an A-
line skirt)
Male: Camisa de Chino &
trousers of different
colors

20. Muslim
• “Sigpit” or “Sablay”
• Patadyong
• Malong
• pants

21. Cordillera/Tribal
Male:- G-string, short
jacket & shoulder band,
feathered head dresses -
“bahag”
Females:- Hinabi na tela
(hablon)- Accessories
(beads)