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What
is Filipino Folklore? |
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Dr.
Damiana Eugenio, a renowned Filipina folklorist, says
there is still no universally accepted definition of
the word "folklore". But any bit of knowledge
handed down from generation to generation, which describes
or depicts the beliefs and lifestyle of the ancestors
of a chosen ethnic group, is rendered unique to that
group, and is respected as folklore. |
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Folklore
is usually transmitted by word of mouth. Oral traditions
are very common among the indigenous tribes still existent
in the Philippines. What students of folk literature
do, basically, is transcribe and interpret what is related
to them by the storytellers of a tribe. The preservation
of the knowledge of our elders can be carried out in
many ways, and they are not inaccessible to anyone who
would seek them. |
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Recently,
interest in folklore seems to have diminished. With
the swift pace of modern living, looking back at our
roots through spyglasses such as the study of folklore
seems more and more difficult, if not pointless. The
Filipino youth, especially, are more concerned with
looking forward as the rest of the world hastens toward
a technological future. We do not want to be left behind,
after all. But if we were never meant to look back,
why does the ancient saying "Ang siyang di lumingon
sa pinanggalingan ay di makararating sa paroroonan (Whoever
does not look back at a starting point, will not arrive
at a destination)" remain in our lips? Why do we
remind ourselves of the necessity of stopping to pay
respect to our forebears and the advice they could still
give? |
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This
website is dedicated to the presentation – or,
should I say, representation – of native Filipino
folklore. It aims to favor the lore of no particular
ethnic group, as everyone is aware of the diversity
of tribal affiliations still present in our everyday
lives. It means to declare that the tales spun during
one tribe’s journey through life and time are
no longer for the enjoyment and convenience of the members
of that tribe alone, but for the whole world. |
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It
also does not intend to evoke rivalry among ethnic affiliations.
Sometimes closely-related versions of a single story
exist in the lore of two or more ethnic groups, and
a sort of discord is brought about when some groups
attempt to "reclaim the rights" to the plot.
It is hoped that the topographical areas attributed
to particular tales would only serve to be references
for study and not argument. At any rate, contributed
variations of any tale presented in this site are welcome.
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We
shall endeavor to keep on adding as many stories to
this site as we can. But for the moment let us all look
back and see what we have done. |
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This
site divides Philippine folklore into five major parts,
namely:
Myths
and Legends
Fables
Tales of the Supernatural
Heroic Tales
Tales of Laughter
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Myths
are tales involving the gods of old. They may deal with
a conflict among the gods themselves, or ways in which
the gods would reveal themselves as unique characters
unto the lowly creatures of the Earth, including, of
course, man. Legends of creation usually involve spirits
or gods, or just an omnipotent God. At any rate, almost
every legend involves a miracle or
curse invoked in the name of, or by the hand of, a Higher
Power. |
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Generally,
fables are short narratives that revolve
around particular moral lessons. Animals are the heroes
in most fables. They are made to stand for certain traits
of the human race, and to teach the ways of the world
through vivid characterization and lively interaction. |
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The
supernatural involves the fair folk,
dwarves, mermaids, demons, strange beasts – and
other phenomena. Tales of divine intervention are included
here, as they are also classified as unexplainable. |
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adventure and gather the fruits of their labor and Fate.
These tales have inspired the Filipinos to aspire for
the greatest since the dawn of time. |
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And,
finally, what is a Filipino if he does not know how
to laugh? Tales of laughter insist
on having a separate category. Moral lessons are sometimes
scattered about…though most of the time, stories
in this area had been created and are handed down for
the sole purpose of having fun. |
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