Kulintang is the name of the entire ensemble of musical instruments namely: kulintang, babendil, dabakan, agung, and gandingan. The music and dances are from the Maguindanao and Maranao people in Southern Philippines and widely performed by Filipino dance groups. Some of the famous dances are Singkil and Sagayan. Visit: www.kulintang.com.
KEA was formed in 2004 after some members took a workshop from Kulintang Master Danongan Kalanduyan
through a grant from the City of Albuquerque Urban Enhancement Trust
Fund at the request by Dr. Dely Alcantara, Dr. Ted Jojola and the Filipino American Foundation of New Mexico.
KEA has performed in Globaquerque, Asian Festivals, Heritage
Council meetings, Santacruzan, Pista sa Nayon, FAFNM Chrismas parties,
schools, senior and community centers. The artistic director,
Cristal Everette, and Jenny DeBouzek (who is the artistic director
of Gamelan Encantada)
have continued teaching the music to the members while Evelio Sabay,
Rolando Cabada and Tessie Greenfield did the choreography and/or
puppetry. Other musicians/ dancers are John
Everette, Josh Rowden, London & Romeo Cabada, and Ethan Sabay.
Among the dances/music performed were: Singkil (above), Sagayan
(below left), Sinulog (below right), Kanditagaonan, Adongkodongkogakit, Binalig, Kambinaring, and Kasugurungan.
The main instrument is also called
kulintang:A set of eight bronze (or brass) gongs, graduated in size and in tuning, and suspended horizontally on a wooden stand.
The gongs are played with soft wooden sticks which are struck against the prominent mound or "boss" at the center of each gong.
Contact: kulintangensemble@yahoo.com
KEA is currently (2009) on break although some members are holding summer workshops or solo performances with puppets. If you are interested, please email puppetnettes@kidstale-nm.com.
Babendil
(right) is a small vertical hand-held gong, struck on its rim
(never on its boss) with small, hard stick. This is the "time
keeper" of the ensemble.Agung (below) is a very large wide-rimmed vertical- hanging gong, struck with a rubber-covered stick. Agungs are often played in pairs by either one or two musicians.
Philippine Dance Video Links:
Bayanihan Dance Troupe (Singkil)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R_EWyqu_ck
Janggay dance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS2Rqw0K_-c
B'laan dances:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYHzPhc3sF8
Dabakan
(drums) is a single- headed kettle-shaped wooden drums made of
jackfruit or coconut lumber covered with a natural goat or lizard skin
and played with a pair of flexible rattan stick. It is played in
standing position.Filipino Folk/Ethnic Dance Links:
Philippine Folk Dances: http://home.netcom.com/~ntamayo/bookmark.html
Camperspoint Philippine Dance:
http://www.camperspoint.com/spip.php?article229
Philippine Folk Dances & Other Traditions
http://cathcath.com/?page_id=3259
Tribal Dances:
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/dances/tribal_dances.htm
Kinding Sindaw
Philippine costumes, souvenirs, CDs, DVDs, props:
Tagalog Lessons
Gandingan:
is a set of four large, shallow vertical-hanging gongs graduated in
size and in tuning, played with a pair of rubber- covered sticks.
Because of the melodious tones of the gandingan, it is used to
mimic the intonations of human speech and it is therefore known as
"talking gongs."Gandingan is more commonly used among the Maguindanao than the Maranao people.