Lumad
The southernmost island of the Philippines, Mindanao, is home to the indigenous groups whose cultures have been preserved and remain unaffected by Spanish colonization. Inhabiting the lush lakes, forests, and mountains of Mindanao, the thirty-six ethnic tribes of this region possess diverse cultures rich in heritage and spirituality in tune with the abundant environment. The dances of the Lumad suite portray this blend of nature and spirituality. Many of the dances of these tribes are used in rituals for spiritual worship, thanksgiving, courtship, or prayer for a fruitful harvest.
Kadal Tahu tells the story of a flock of tahaw birds who journey to look for food and end up getting lost. During the journey, one of the birds injures its leg and cannot fly. The flock helps the injured bird recover and regain the strength to fly again. The dance originates from the T’boli group of Lake Sebu, located in South Cotabato, and is performed during planting and harvesting seasons.
Kadal Tahu
Blit B'laan
Blit B’laan is a courtship dance from the B’laan tribe of Davao del Sur in Mindanao, in which dancers imitate forest birds during mating season. The female birds hide from the persistent males by burying their heads under their wings, represented by their malongs.