Darangen

Darangen
CountryPhilippines
LanguageMaranao
Genre(s)Epic poem
MeterIambic tetrameter
Lines72,000
Darangen epic of the Maranao people of Lake Lanao
CountryPhilippines
DomainsOral traditions and expressions; and social practices, rituals and festive events
Reference00159
RegionAsia and the Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription2008 (originally proclaimed in 2005) (3rd session)
ListRepresentative

Darangen is a Maranao epic poem from the Lake Lanao region of Mindanao, Philippines. It consists of 17 cycles with 72,000 lines in iambic tetrameter or catalectic trochaic tetrameter.[1] Each cycle pertains to a different self-contained story. The most notable of which deals with the exploits of the hero Bantugan.[2][3]

In 2002, the Darangen was declared a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines by the National Museum and a Provincial Treasure by the Lanao del Sur provincial government. The Darangen epic was also proclaimed as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005 by UNESCO (inscribed in 2008). It is the longest surviving epic poetry in the Philippines.[4][5]

Darangen is meant to be narrated by singing or chanting. Select parts of it are performed by male and female singers during weddings and celebrations (traditionally at night time), usually accompanied by music from kulintang gong ensembles, Tambor drums, and kudyapi stringed instruments. It is also traditionally accompanied by several dances, each interpreting specific episodes of the epic. Depending on the part being performed, the performance can last a few hours to a week.[6][7] The epic also incorporates Maranao customary laws, social values, and practices prior to the Maranao conversion to Islam in the 14th century.[3]

  1. ^ Escueta, Carla Michaela. "Darangen, The Maranao Epic". ICH Courier Online. International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP). Archived from the original on 26 December 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  2. ^ Saber, Mamitua (1961). "Darangen: The Epic of the Maranaws". Philippine Sociological Review. 9 (1/2): 42–46. JSTOR 43498156.
  3. ^ a b "Hudhud and Darangen: Voices from Pre-Colonial Philippines". UniPro. Pilipino American Unity for Progress, Inc. (UniPro). 23 July 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  4. ^ "Darangen epic of the Maranao people of Lake Lanao". Intangible Cultural Heritage. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  5. ^ "UNESCO proclaims Maranao's Darangan epic as 'masterpiece of intangible heritage'". PhilStar Global. 13 December 2005. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  6. ^ "Traditions and Festivals". Lanao de Sur. Province of Lanao de Sur, Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  7. ^ Mercurio, Philip Dominguez; Kalanduyan, Danongan Sibay. "Exhibit: Traditional Music of the Southern Philippines: ETHS 545". PnoyAndTheCity: A center for Kulintang - A home for Pasikings. Retrieved 27 November 2019.

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