Philippine Literature and Precolonial Oral Lores

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, key concepts, traditions, forms, myths, folktales, and epics described in the Philippine Literature lecture notes.

Philippine Literature

The body of oral and written works created by Filipinos that reflects their history, culture, traditions, values, beliefs, and experiences, expressed in various Philippine languages, English, Spanish, and Chinese.

Ethnic Tradition

A major literary tradition in the Philippines that preserves indigenous oral literature and precolonial heritage.

Spanish Tradition

A literary tradition in the Philippines that reflects Spanish religious and cultural influences.

American Tradition

A Philippine literary tradition that introduced English-language literature and modern literary forms.

Tabon Man

An archaeological discovery in Palawan showing that people have lived in the Philippines for about 50,000 years.

Oral Lore

Cultural material and tradition transmitted orally from one generation to another through vocal utterance, speech, or song.

Parry-Lord Theory

An academic method and discipline used to study oral tradition, also referred to as oral traditional theory or the theory of Oral-Formulaic Composition.

Bugtong

The local version of the riddle in the Philippines, popular among early Filipinos as a mind-honing activity.

Salawikain

Filipino proverbs that convey practical wisdom, moral lessons, and time-tested advice passed down from ancestors.

Tanaga

A traditional four-line poem (quatrain) with seven syllables in each line that expresses values, reflections, and traditional teachings.

Dalit

A traditional short poem formatted as a quatrain with 8 syllables per line, typically following an aaaa rhyme scheme.

Diona

A traditional short poem structured as a tercet with 7 syllables per line and an aaa rhyme scheme, often reflecting respect, family, or cultural values.

Bahay Kubo

A traditional Philippine folk song about the different vegetables found around a native Filipino house.

Magtanim ay Di Biro

A Filipino farming song that highlights the hard work of planting rice.

Paru-Parong Bukid

A cheerful Philippine folk song about a beautiful butterfly, often accompanied by folk dances.

Leron Sinta

A lively Philippine folk song about a young man climbing a papaya tree with themes of courtship.

Pamulinawen

An Ilocano love song about admiration for a beautiful woman.

Malakas and Maganda

A popular Tagalog creation myth where a bird named Amihan pecks open a bamboo stalk, revealing Malakas ('Strong') and Maganda ('Beautiful'), the first human ancestors.

Kabunian

The supreme deity in the Ifugao creation myth who created the universe and taught humans how to cultivate rice, build homes, observe rituals, and live in harmony.

Tungkung Langit and Alunsina

A Visayan creation myth where the departure of Alunsina leaves the sky god Tungkung Langit heartbroken, causing his tears to form rain and her scattered jewels to become stars.

The Monkey and the Turtle

A popular Philippine folktale where a clever turtle uses his wit to outsmart a greedy monkey who claimed the fruit-bearing top of a banana plant.

Why the Fish has Scales

A Philippine folktale explaining that a careless and proud fish was punished and given hard, shiny scales as natural armor.

The Carabao and the Shell

A Philippine folktale about a proud carabao that is outsmarted in a contest of wit by a small shell, proving that physical strength alone does not guarantee success.

The Story of Piña

A folktale about a lazy girl whose mother frustratedly wishes she had many eyes to find things, leading to her transformation into a pineapple fruit.

The Necklace and the Comb

A folktale about two sisters who fall out over inherited heirlooms before realizing that no material possession is worth losing family love and respect.

Hinilawod

An ancient epic of the Sulodnon (Panay Bukidnon) people recounting the heroic adventures of brothers Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon, and Dumalapdap.

Biag ni Lam-ang

An epic from the Ilocano people detailing the adventures of Lam-ang, a hero born with supernatural abilities who avenges his father, marries Ines Kannoyan, and is resurrected after being swallowed by the Berkakan.

Berkakan

The giant sea creature or giant fish that swallowed the Ilocano hero Lam-ang.

Indarapatra at Sulayman

A Maranao epic about two brave brothers who defeat terrifying monsters to restore peace to their land.

Darangan

A traditional Maranao epic focusing on the adventures, courage, and fighting skills of the noble warrior prince Bantugan.

Hudhud

A collection of traditional Ifugao epic chants performed during rice harvest and funerals, detailing the life and peace agreement of the hero Aliguyon and his rival Pumbakhayon.