Kulintang ensemble

Music and Arts

1. Kulintang Ensemble

2. What are the instruments in a kulintang ensemble? Kulintang Dabakan Babandir Gandingan Agung

3. Dabakan This provides the rhythmic mode of the ensemble. Its head is made up of animal skin. This is the only non-gong of the Maguindanaon ensemble. It can also be used as accompaniment to the Kutyapi .

4. How is the Dabakan played? Normally played while standing with the player holding two sticks made either out of rattan or bamboo but the player Could be sitting or kneeling instead.

5. Other derivative names Dbkan Debakan (Maguindanao) Dadabuan Dadaboon (Maranao) Libbit (Tausug) Tibubu ( poso ) Tiwal ( Kulawi and Minahasa )

6. gandingan The secondary melodic instrument after the kulintang. When played solo, the gandingan allows fellow Maguindanao to communicate with each other, allowing them to send messages or warnings via long distance. Also known as “talking gongs”

7. How is the Gandingan Played? Usually played while standing behind the instrument while holding two wooden mallets. In FORMAL Kulintang presentations, players would use all four gongs. In INFORMAL occasions, players would only use three of the highest pitched gongs.

8. Agung Also a supportive instrument in kulintang ensembles. The larger, lower pitched gong is called pangandungan . The smaller, higher pitched gong is called panentekan .

9. How is Agung played? The pangandungan is played on the musician’s right. It provides the main part. The panentekan is found on the player’s left. Mainly played on the weaker double and triple beats. Usually performed while standing beside the instruments. holding the upper edge of its flange between the thumb and other fingers with the left hand while striking the knob with the right hand.

10. Babandir Primarily used as the “timekeeper” of the Maguindanao kulintang ensemble. The babandir has a sunken boss which makes the boss relatively non-functional.

11. How is the babandir played? Could be played while standing or when seated, the babandir is hanged half a foot from the floor. Babadirs are struck on either at the flange or the rim.

12. Textile, basketry. And ornamentation

13. Malong – a Maranao cylindrical skirt. Ikat – a dyeing technique used in creating designs on fabric. T’nalak – an art form perfected bu the admired T’boli women.

14. Ikat Produces extraordinary designs including figures of humans, lizards, frogs, birds, and plants. Tanggob (blanket) – a simpler form of ikat in Maranao.

15. Kandit , Pis , Saputangan Kandit – a silk waist band with sharp colors contrast and bold geometric patterns. Pis – square headdress worn by men. Saputangan – a kerchief or a veil.