Kulintang ensemble, Mindanao, 1966

This film footage was taken by anthropologist Robert Garfias in the village of Nuling (now Barangay Simuay), Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao island in 1966. Its of Maguindanaon women playing a kulintang ensemble, which is an ancient gong-drum ensemble music of the southern Philippines, first recorded by the Spanish during their arrival in the mid-1500s, and has survived since. It is believed to have come from further south and had taken root in the region over a gradual period of time.

The traditional gong-ensemble music of the lowland natives of Luzon and the Visayas during the Spanish arrival was not the kulintang, but the 'Agung ensemble', today maintained by the Lumad peoples of Mindanao, the Mangyan tribes of Mindoro and the Suludnon people of inland Panay island.

Although Garfias originally labelled this video as that of a "Duyug", this piece corresponds more to a Binalig a Bagu in the Ilud style of the Maguindanaon areas near Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat (Noted by the use of only one Agong, as well as its distinctive playing style, the Raya style of the hinterland Maguindanaon on the other hand, uses two agongs). The Kulintang ensemble is called Palabunibunyian (or Palabunian by Raya Maguindanaon), or Basalen.

Kulintang is closely related to the Agung ensemble, as well as Kulintangan/Kolintang ensembles played in neighbouring Sulu, Borneo, Timor & (archaically) Sulawesi. It is also distantly related to Gamelan of Java and Bali, and Piphat/Pinpeat Ensembles of Thailand, Cambodia.

Instruments:
KULINTANG: 8 piece gong rack. carries the main melody
GANDINGAN: four slightly larger "talking gongs"
AGUNG: Bass gong.
DEBAKAN: goblet shaped beaten drum
BABENDIR: 'time-keeping' gong (not featured in footage)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Kulintang
• Kulintangan
• Kolintang
• Philippines
• Bangsamoro
• gong
• music
• maguindanao
• muslim
• mindanao
• armm
• indigenous
• ilud

[1952kappans]

how much is the set of kulintang?

[anak1]

the instrument itself could cost around 15000 PHP. Agong and gandingan around 20000PHP. you can find sellers online if you google "kulintang buy" :) Alternatively, you can ask around for sellers if you live in Cotabato or Marawi (may be much cheaper), or if in Manila, go to Tiendesita's Mall in Bonifacio, they have a kulintang shop there :)

[louiselah]

i just posted a video response; of my daughter having a go, albeit reluctantly, at the kulintangan. this was xmas last year :) it's also an indigenous instrument where i come from (sabah)

[anak1]

@louiselah Thanks for the link louiselah! Sorry for the late message. Looks like fun!! hehe :)

[thecritiquevirtuoso]

I wish the Philippines went back to such times... before the Spanish subjected everyone to their credo-vomiting ways of life... ahhh the Humanity

[b4spain]

Go Bangsamoro People & Culture! you are the true hero of that country!

You preserve Culture n & Belief with a great price..

Dont give up to the destroyer of culture. They are called'Bastards of Asia' bcuz they left God and Culture.

You are Malays and free people- connected to malaysia,indonesia,brunei,sing apore,madagasgar etc.

Remain muslims and be proud. You are on Right Path. You are the Peace loving but just want to be treated as equal.

No to racist/bias/prejudiced/discrim ination.

[CharlesFotos]

ang bilis ng mga kamay

[merpin]

@merpin dont comment on shit you dont know dumbass, come here in mindanao and you will see what im talking about? ohh scared like shit pea brain...

[mjqsdlcr]

Maharlikans music is a lovely one. amazing

[64chevyify]

oohh neato gong drums!

[anak1]

@sasunoosan Dude, this video is from a film taken by an ethnomusicologist who did his research in Mindanao in 1966. Check the info, its authentic! lol The clothing the women are wearing are traditional Maguindanao clothes. Thanks for the comment! :)

[pyrosheen]

@scorpioninpink

true say

[scorpioninpink]

@pyrosheen forgive me, nakalimutan kong sabihin nah p'ra sa kanila "liberators" sila... i'm a muslim p'ro ni isang beses ay hnd ko nagustuhan ang pamamaraan nila... at oo mga terorita cla... hnd lng mga christians ung naapektuhan pti rin nmn ung mga muslim na gusto ng mag-move on...