Ambahan of the Panay Bukidnons: Its nature and socio-cultural significance

Abstract

The study seeks to know the nature of the ambahan as an oral literature, its literary elements, and its socio-cultural significance. The results of the study show that the ambahans are narratives in free verse that are chanted spontaneously by the Panay Bukidnons. Their themes, variably deal with nature, work, love, customs and norms. The purposes of the chanting of the ambahans are to entertain, to teach, and to commemorate very significant occasions. According to the culture of the Panay Bukidnons, the practitioners of the ambahan are elderly men. No women are allowed to join in the chanting of the ambahan. Lastly, the ambahans reveal the unique culture, values and beliefs of the Panay Bukidnons of Barangay Masaroy, Calinog, Iloilo.