THE-PRE-SPANISH-PERIOD.pdf For 1st year college , Philippines literature

1. Philippine Literature
The Pre-
Spanish Period

2. A. Historical Background
Long before the Spaniards and other foreigners
landed on Philippine shores, our forefathers
already had their own literature stamped in the
history of our race.
Our ancient literature shows our customs and
traditions in everyday life as traced in our folk
stories, old plays and short stories.

3. Our ancestors also had their own alphabet which was
different from that brought by the Spaniards.
The first alphabet used by our ancestors was similar to
that of the Malayo Polynesian alphabet. Whatever
records our ancestors Ieft were cither burned by the
Spanish friars in the belief that they were works of the
devil or were written on materials that easily perished,
like the barks of trees, dried leaves and bamboo
cylinders which could not have remained undestroyed
even if efforts were made to preserve them.

4. Other records that remained showed folk songs that
proved the existence of a native culture truly our own.
Some of these were passed on by word of mouth till
they reached the hands of some publishers or printers
who took interest in printing the manuscripts of the
ancient Filipinos. The Spaniards who came to the
Philippines tried to prove that our ancestors were really
fond of poetry, songs, stories, riddles and proverbs
which we still enjoy today and which serve to show to
generations the true culture of our people.

6. BAYBAYIN
BAYBAYIN
Ang baybayin ay tumutukoy sa pagsasatitik ng isang
salita na sa Ingles ay may katumbas na “to spell.”

7. ALIBATA
a-li-bata (alif + bata)
Alpabetong Arabiko tulad ng pagkilala sa Silangan
Unang dalawang titik sa alpabetong Arabiko; alif (a)
at bata (b)

8. ALIBATA AND BAYBAYIN
Baybayin is the pre-Spanish script of the Filipinos. It is
defined in early 17th century dictionaries as the “A-B-C” of
the Tagalogs. By extension, the term is applied to similar
writing of other Philippine groups. It is incorrect to use the
word alibata, which was invented in 1914.

11. B. Characterization of Pre-Spanish Literature
1. Legends- Legends are a form of prose the common theme
of which is about the origin of a thing, place, location or
name. The events are imaginary, devoid of truth and
unbelievable. Old Filipino customs are reflected in these
legends. Its aim is to entertain. Here is an example
of a legend:

12. THE LEGEND OF THE TAGALOGS
We are aware that we Filipinos are a mixture of different
races, we have the Ilocanos, the Kapampangans,
Visayans, Bicolanos, and the Tagalogs, whose origin we
will trace. In a certain wide region of Luzon, there was a
village frequented by young men. This town was full of
trees, beautiful flowers and a river where clear waters
flowed. What attracted the young men more than the
scenery was a beautiful nymph-like maiden

13. 2. Folk Tales – ever since, the Philippines has been
blessed with a folk tales. Because folk tales have been
passed on by word of mouth it is difficult to trace their
origins. Contemporary writers build their stories from folk
tales or from the products of their imaginations.

14. Folk tales are made up of stories about life, adventure,
love, horror, and humor where one can derive lessons
about life. These are useful to us because they help us
appreciate our environment, evaluate our personalities
and improve our perspectives in life.
Example of a folk tale: THE MOON AND THE SUN
(Tingguian folk tale) an excerpt from
PANITIKAN NG PILIPINAS author: Jose G. Villa)

15. 3. The Epic Age – epics are long narrative poems in
which a series of heroic achievements or events, usually
of hero, are dealt with at length. Nobody can determine
which epics are the oldest because in their translations
from other languages, even in English and Spanish. We
can only determine their origins from that mentioned in
the said epics.

16. The HUDHOD and the ALIM of the Ifugaos may have
happened during the Stone Age when iron was still
unknown. The Darangan of the Moros may have started
during the period of the kingdom of the Bumbaran that
sank in the Pacific Ocean during the deluge. It is clear
that MARAGTAS was written during the period of Christ
and the EBALON of Bicol which dealt with the early
people of Bicol is believed to have happened before the
Deluge

17. Aside from the aforementioned epics, there are still other
epics that can be read and studied like the following
epics. BIAG-Ni-Lam-Ang (Ilocano Epic)
(This epic was written by Pedro Bukaneg who was said
to have been thrown by his parents down the Abra River
while still an infant because he was blind. A woman who
found him gave him away to an Agustinian priest. He
was christened Pedro Bukaneg.

18. He was cared for, and sent to school until he became
proficient in Spanish and Samtoy (Ilocano dialect). He is
now known as the Father of Ilocano Literature. From his
name, we derive the word BUKANEGAN which means
Balagtasan in Tagalog.)

19. FILIPINO EPICS
Bidasari – Moro epic
Biag ni Lam-ang – Ilokano epic
Maragtas – Visayan epic
Haraya – Visayan – epic
Lagda – Visayan epic
Hari sa Bukid – Visayan epic
Kumintang – Tagalog epic

20. FILIPINO EPICS
Parang Subir – Moro epic
“Dagoy at Sudsud’ – Tagbanua epic
Tatuaang – Bagobo epic
Indrapatra at Sulayman – Moro epic
Bantugan – Maranao epic
Daramoke-A-Baybay – Moro epic in Darangan

21. 4. Folk Songs – Folk songs are one of the oldest forms of
Philippines literature that emerged in the pre-spanish
period. These songs mirrored the early forms of culture.
Many of these have 12 syllables. Here is an example:
KUNDIMAN (Awit ng Pag-ibig-Song of Love) ,
KUMINTANG O TAGUMPAY (War Song) , ANG DALIT O
IMNO (Song to the god of the Visayans), TALINDAW
(Boatman’s Song)

22. C. OTHER FORMS OF PRE-SPANISH POETRY
Epigrams, Riddles, Chants, Maxims, Proverbs or Sayings
1. Epigrams: Salawikain – these have been customarily
used and served as laws or rules on good behavior by
our ancestors. To others, these are like allegories or
parables that impart lessons for the young.
2. Riddles: Bugtong or Palaisipan – These are made up
of one or more measured lines with rhyme and may
consist of 4 to 12 syllables

23. 3. Chant (Bulong) – used in witchcraft or enhancement.
4. Maxims – some are rhyming couplets with verse of
5,6, or 8 syllables, each line having the same number of
syllables.
5. Sayings (Kasabihan) – often used in teasing or to
comment on a person’s actuations.
6. Sawikain (Sayings with no hidden meanings

24. EPIGRAMS
Example: Aanhin pa ang damo
Kung patay na ang kabayo
Interpretation: Sometimes, what comes is too late to be
useful

25. RIDDLES
Example: Bubong kung may Liwanag
Kung gabi ay dagat
Answer: Mat

26. CHANT (Used in withcraft or enchantment
Example: Ikaw ang magnanakaw ng bigas ko
Lumuwa sana ang mata mo
Mamaga sana ang katawan mo
Patayin ka ng mga anito

27. MAXIMS
Example: Pag hindi ukol
Hindi bubukol

28. SAYINGS
Example: Putak, putak
Batang duwag
Matapat ka’t
Nasa pugad

29. SAWIKAIN
Example: Nasa Diyos ang awa
Nasa tao ang gawa

30. THE LEGEND OF THE TAGALOG
Back in the day there was a girl named Simang. She is so beautiful that
many young men fall in love withV her. He had almost no push-pull on them.
One day Simang decided: Any of you who can bring me a bigVand living
python I will marry. The young men did not answer immediately. Sawa? It's
hard to catch a python. Finally the young man Ilog stood up
I love Simang=, he said. "Everything I will do for you."

31. THE LEGEND OF THE TAGALOG
Everyone was amazed at the word released by Ilog. When the young man
got up and left, no one dared to follow. A long time has passed. Everyone is
eager to know what has happened to Ilog. Simang was also nervous. Please
don't hurt Ilog, he whispered to himself. It turns out that Simang also loves
the young man very much. Everyone shouted with joy when Ilog returned.
He held the head of the struggling python with one hand while one hand
restrained its tail. The people applauded. Long live the River! Long live!
Ilog brought the snake to Simang.

32. THE LEGEND OF THE TAGALOG
Simang shouted. "River! Chop it!“ Ilog pulled the mental from his waist and
chopped the python. The python’s tail was cut off immediately. Abundant
blood gushed out, but it still seemed to be moving alive. Simang shouted
again. "Taga, Ilog! Taga, Ilog!" Despite the chaos, the Spaniards did not take
their eyes off the girl. Again, they asked Simang. Simang shouted, Taga, Ilog!

33. THE MOON AND THE SUN
(TINGGUIAN FOLK TALE)
In the olden days, like the moon,the sun had also star children which were
yellowish in color, very bright, and very hot. The star children of the moon,
however, were reddish and cool. That moon was scared that his star stars
would wither and die if they play with the star children of the sun.
The moon suggested to the sun that they kill their children who were
crowding the heavens with their number. When the sun had killed her
children, the moon merely hid behind the clouds.
In the evening, when the clouds faded, the moon stars appeared.
This angered the sun so he gave chase to the moon. Thus, when he
overtakes the moon, we have the so-called eclipse. Until now, this chase
continues and because the moon still continues....

34. BIAG-NI-LAM-ANG
(TINGGUIAN FOLK TALE)
Don Juan and his wife Namongan lived in Nalbuan, now part of La Union in
the northern part of the Philippines. They had a son named Lam-ang. Before
Lam-ang was born, Don Juan went to the mountains in order to punish a
group of their Igorot enemies. While he was away, his son Lam-ang was
born. It took four people to help Namongan give birth. As soon as the baby
boy popped out, he spoke and asked that he be given the name Lam-ang.
He also chose his godparents and asked where his father was.

35. BIAG-NI-LAM-ANG
(ILOCANO EPIC)
After nine months of waiting for his father to return, Lam-ang decided he
would go look for him. Namongan thought Lam-ang was up to the
challenge but she was sad to let him go. During his exhausting journey, he
decided to rest for awhile. He fell asleep and had a dream about his father's
head being stuck on a pole by the Igorot. Lam-ang was furious when he
learned what had happened to his father. He rushed to their village and
killed them all, except for one whom he let go so that he could tell other
people about Lam-ang's greatness.

36. BIAG-NI-LAM-ANG
(ILOCANO EPIC)
After nine months of waiting for his father to return, Lam-ang decided he
would go look for him. Namongan thought Lam-ang was up to the
challenge but she was sad to let him go. During his exhausting journey, he
decided to rest for awhile. He fell asleep and had a dream about his father's
head being stuck on a pole by the Igorot. Lam-ang was furious when he
learned what had happened to his father. He rushed to their village and
killed them all, except for one whom he let go so that he could tell other
people about Lam-ang's greatness.

37. BIAG-NI-LAM-ANG
(ILOCANO EPIC)
Upon returning to Nalbuan in triumph, he was bathed by women in the
Amburayan river. All the fish died because of the dirt and odor from Lam-
ang's body. There was a young woman named Ines Kannoyan whom Lam-
ang wanted to woo. She lived in Calanutian and he brought along his white
rooster and gray dog to visit her. On the way, Lam-ang met his enemy
Sumarang, another suitor of Ines whom he fought and readily defeated.
Lam-ang found the house of Ines surrounded by many suitors all of whom
were trying to catch her attention. He had his rooster crow, which caused a
nearby house to fall. This made Ines look out. He had his dog bark and in an
instant the fallen house rose up again. The girl's parents witnessed this and
called for him. The rooster expressed th