Literature in

Ethnic Oral
Traditions

 Literature- any artistic creative piece, whether written or

oral, which we can enjoy repeatedly. (Manuel, 1976)
Oral Traditions: myths, legends, folktales, anecdotes,
folksongs, ballads, epics, folk poetry, riddles, proverbs,
etc.

Literature in Ethnic Oral

Traditions

Igorot Myths
and Values

Igorot Myths express many

aspects of Igorot life how the
Igorot sees nature , himself, and
society. (Ngales, 1984)

4 categories of Igorot Myths:

1. Flood Myths or Origin Myths
2. Marriage Myths
3. Transformation Myths
4. Headhunting Myths

4 categories of Igorot
Myths

Flood Myths or
Origin Myths

The Flood and the Origin of the

Mountain (IFUGAO)

I.

Flood Myths or Origin Myths

What do they represent?

a. Ascending of Mountain- nostalgia to return to paradise
b. Fire- powerlessness of women; man is the hunter
c. Flood (Water)- symbolic of life; death
As the poet says, the sea is calm and beautiful, but it
also be ugly in its turbulence.

can

Marriage Myths

Dulliyaw and Kiwada

What do they represent?

a. Snake- Mystery; Belief in the paradisiac element of
immortality
b. Setting of the marriage myth which is the forestsymbolic of unspoiled beauty of nature (especially
feminine) like paradise

Marriage Myths

Transformation
Myths

Days passed and the boy felt himself changing. He found

that he had grown a long tail; his skin became hairy and
black as the burnt rice. The only sound he could make was
k-k-k-k. . .
When his stepmother came, he was sitting on the roof of the
house. He chattered to her, k-k-k-k, I am the burnt rice you
brought me. The boy had become a monkey.

The Origin of the Monkey

(APAYAO)

According to Eliade, these transformations are related to the

paradisiac epoch:
a. Immortality and freedom
b. The possibility of the ascension into Heaven and ease of
meeting with the gods
c. Friendship with animals and knowledge of their language
These freedoms and ability have been lost, as a result of a
primordial event (in these myths) mans wickedness in his
mistreatment of children.

Transformation Myths

Animal form- to attain freedom and transcendence.

Transformation Myths

Headhunting
Myths

 Desire for revenge- foremost reason for headhunting

From the Igorot viewpoint, the beheading of a person is
deemed necessary to redeem ones honor and prestige
if the beheader or his family had been harmed directly or
indirectly by his victim. (Ngales, 1984)

Headhunting Myths

Headhunting
Revenge (Justice)
Prestige and Honor
Intrusion of ones abode
Offer as sacrifice
Marriage Requisite

Headhunting Myths

References:
Ngales, Marilyn. Themes and Values in Igorot Myths.
Masters thesis, University of the Philippines Baguio, 1984.
Manuel, E. A. Literature in Ethnic Oral Traditions.