(Summary of the Ilokano Epic "Biag ni Lam-ang")
by Rachelle M. Aurellano
by Rachelle M. Aurellano
IP 411: Ilokano Literature in Translation/English
Biag ni Lam-ang is about the adventures of an epic hero, Lam-ang, who is born with extraordinary powers. At the time of birth, he had the gift of speech and chose his own name. When he was baptized, at the age of nine months, he decided to go to war to fight against the headhunters (Igorots), who killed his father. Although his mother, Namongan, opposed for him not to go, brave Lam-ang, nevertheless went. After fighting with a crocodile, Lam-ang embarks on a journey to pay court to Ines Kannoyan, a beautiful maiden who can spin nine skien of thread in one evening. Although his mother advised him not to because many rich natives, and Spaniards have tried, Kannoyan did not care for any of them. But Lam-ang, nevertheless, went regardless of his mother’s advice. On this journey to the town of Kalanutian, he is accompanied by his pet rooster and dog. When reaching Ines Kannoyan’s place, Lam-ang’s rooster flapped its wings which toppled the house, and amazed everyone, especially Kannoyan. Then Lam-ang’s dog barks and the house is back to its original. They get married and Lam-ang gets eaten by a monster fish but is reborn from his retrieved bones.
Biag ni Lam-ang is about the adventures of an epic hero, Lam-ang, who is born with extraordinary powers. At the time of birth, he had the gift of speech and chose his own name. When he was baptized, at the age of nine months, he decided to go to war to fight against the headhunters (Igorots), who killed his father. Although his mother, Namongan, opposed for him not to go, brave Lam-ang, nevertheless went. After fighting with a crocodile, Lam-ang embarks on a journey to pay court to Ines Kannoyan, a beautiful maiden who can spin nine skien of thread in one evening. Although his mother advised him not to because many rich natives, and Spaniards have tried, Kannoyan did not care for any of them. But Lam-ang, nevertheless, went regardless of his mother’s advice. On this journey to the town of Kalanutian, he is accompanied by his pet rooster and dog. When reaching Ines Kannoyan’s place, Lam-ang’s rooster flapped its wings which toppled the house, and amazed everyone, especially Kannoyan. Then Lam-ang’s dog barks and the house is back to its original. They get married and Lam-ang gets eaten by a monster fish but is reborn from his retrieved bones.
Note: The epic story of Lam-ang was enjoyable for me, because an Ilokano hero with supernatural sparks a lot interest, considering that I never knew that Ilokano's had their share of Ilokano epics. I've read a number of epics, but I must say this was the first Ilokano epic I've read and it was really interesting, better than American superheroes.
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