Module 2: Redefining the Amianan

Module 2: Redefining the Amianan

Author: Daniel-Jay Pascual
Class: IP 411: Ilokano Literature in Translation/English

Iloko Drama plays a great role in Ilokano culture. One of the main concepts in Iloko Drama can be seen with the dallot. According to the late Pascual Agcaoili, the dallot “is something we can call the cry of the soul that can awaken in us faith or hope, anticipation or happiness, love or hate, reveries or bereavement.” Similarly, in my own interpretation of the dallot, I would specify that it is a procedure used by Ilokanos to serenade one another. Occasionally, these traditions occur when basi is drunk amongst Ilokanos.

As described in the passages of Ascent (Proposal). The dallot is a poem broken down into various pieces to relay the message of love to an individual. In effect, the male in the ritual hopes to gain the woman’s hand in marriage with this procedure. In this case, the characters of the dallot described in this chapter include, the male spokesman, the female spokesman, an old woman, and old man, and an audience. Therefore, we can see that this is a public event and one that may be implemented to test the true intentions of the male spokesman.

In this particular module, there exists an Ilokano epic that has been redefined throughout Ilokano history. The ideas, cultural notes, and elaborate descriptions convey the culture of the Ilokano people. Pakasaritaan Ti Panagbiag Ni Lam-ang Nga Asawa Ni Dona Ines Kannoyan is an Ilokano epic that has been passed down through generations of story-telling. The setting takes place in the various economic locations throughout the Philippines. From Nalbuan to Kalanutian, the economic status of each location can be seen by the descriptions offered throughout the story.

The main character of the story is a man who goes by the name, Lam-ang. The story depicts his life as a newborn, as well as his life as a married man. Lam-ang is a human being with supernatural powers. When he was born, Lam-ang was blessed with the capability to speak. As he grew older, he discovered he had the power to fight. Forces of nature and mystical animals shielded Lam-ang from harm and assisted him in obtaining the objects he has been able to acquire throughout his life. Moreover, toward the end of the story, the reader will find that Lam-ang is killed and then resurrected with the help of his mystic animals and his wife. Overall, this epic is one to remember.

The Ilokano lifestyles can be seen from the Story of Lam-ang. The courting methods described during Lam-angs quest of gaining Kannoyan’s hand in marriage can be seen as a mild interpretation of the dallot. The fact that he brings gifts to the family and asks permission from Kannoyan’s parents raises suggestions of a dallot that may be related to the Ilokano tradition. Additionally, the fight with the Igorots illustrates a piece of history within the Ilokano culture. Furthermore, the methods in which Don Juan, Lam-ang’s father, used to prepare for the Lam-ang’s birth describes various traditions of the Ilokano culture. For example, the preparing of the balitang, or birth bed.

The story shares various Ilokano traditions that have been instilled within the culture for years. The idea of incorporating these customs into this well-known epic is imperative in order to preserve the existence of the Ilokano people. If this story was not inscribed in writing, the ideas would be lost along with the culture.