Ayuweng: Cordillera Rhythm and Harmony (first of a series)
Awong chi gang-sa held in Kalinga (The sound of 1000 gongs). Credit: EMP Productions,
AP. Media, and Mauricio E. Patongao.
INDIGENOUS CULTURE
by Genevieve Balance-Kupang
Ayuweng emanates from the sacred land, the heartbeats and music of the Cordillera indigenous peoples. The animating sound-beats of the land in harmony with the
umili’s (village’s) chants, the sound of the
kalaleng or
Kabunian (Supreme Being).
ayuweng di dagem (rustling of the wind),
ayuweng di danum (stream burbles or river flowing babbles), chirping of the birds, choruses of insects, outpouring of rain, spates of thunder and lightning, and swooshing of the trees and grasses-all these give the Montañosa dwellers their intricate and deep connectedness to the land. Moreover, the Cordillerans who are deeply rooted in their cultural heritage chant, play their gongs and other musical instruments during celebrations and festivities, invocation