Reference: Manobo Narrative Chants by Cruz-Lucero

Written in the Filipino language, this paper features twelve Dulangan Manobo narrative chants. Most of the stories are early myths, such as how the world was created, and some are modern folktales, such as the arrival of the first American. The author, Rosario Cruz-Lucero, a professor in the University of the Philippines, relates the stories to the beliefs, practices, and present predicaments of the Dulangan Manobos.

This paper is a product of the author’s “weeklong visits” to two Manobo communities in October 2002 and May 2003. The chants were recited by a shamaness-cum-storyteller. Because Cruz-Lucero is a fictionist aside from being a scholar, her language is more entertaining to read than the usual academic prose. I must point out, however, a minor error. She states that the interviews were conducted in “the municipality of Kulaman and Todog village.” Kulaman is the poblacion, or capital village, of the Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino, while Todog is a sitio, or hamlet, within the territory of Bugso village.

Here is a pdf copy of the paper. Delightful news to researchers: The online version of Humanities Diliman, where this paper is published, provides suggestions how to cite the paper. Just click the link at the right of the webpage.