HUDHUD CHANTS OF THE IFUGAO TRIBE
ABSTRACT
The hudhud chant of the Ifugao tribe is a form of verbal folklore -- defined as any type of lore involving words (Sims 12). It is a ceremonial chant that is sung during four different ceremonies. It's started by the lead chanter, typically an elderly woman, and chorused by the younger women of the tribe. The hudhud is a nationalistic display celebrating the ethnic pride of the Ifugaos. The introduction of Christianity to the Philippines significantly weakened the prevalence of the hudhud within these indigeonous communities. This tradition was awarded a UNESCO accolade, showing its cultural significance to the archipelago.
LISTEN BELOW TO THE HUDHUD CHANTS
IMPORTANCE OF THE CHANT
"Hudhud stories are lengthy narratives sung in alternating lead and chorus manner... and show how the hero/ heroine is challenged in deeds and ordeals when faced with the dilemma between preferential obligations and ethical wisdom" (Revel xiii) They are also described as being a "musical record of Ifugao myth, traditional beliefs passed down orally" (Guillermo 175). As a result, it is a pivotal part of Ifugao culture as it details the tribe's storied history, as well as celebrates the achievement of famous local heroes to empower members of this culture with pride.
HUDHUD AND FEMININITY
The hudhud is performed exclusively by women. "In a leader/chorus style, the lead chanter, munhaw-e – often an elderly woman – recites an introductory line to set the tone, and then this is taken up by a chorus of women – the mun’abbuy – to the end of the phrase" (Bersola 2011). This is because the hudhud is recited primarily during stages of rice harvest, and women are tied closely to agricultural happenings within the Ifugao. Furthermore, Ifugao society is primarily matrilineal, and women tend to hold the positions of authority, power, and decision making.
MODERN DAY USAGE
Similar to the Mexican American corrido (Paredes), the hudhud is a tool utilized within a modern context as an answer to the loss of indigeonous culture spurred forth by colonialism. Since the introduction of Spanish imperialism and Catholicism to the Philippines archipelago, there has been a palpable decline in native traditions felt throughout the provinces. The old ways were discarded, crushed under European rule, and the hudhud was phased out, because the songs focus on the ethnic pride of Ifugao heroes and culture. However, the hudhud is being revived with it’s designation as a UNESCO Heritage Tradition.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bersola, Camille. "The Hudhud of Ifugao: Enchanting Chanting." Philstar.com. Accessed August 10, 2019. https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/the-good-news/2011/01/02/644254/hudhud-ifugao-enchanting-chanting.
Guillermo, Artemio R. Historical Dictionary of the Philippines. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2012.
"Hudhud Chants of the Ifugao." UNESCO. Accessed August 11, 2019. https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/hudhud-chants-of-the-ifugao-00015.
Paredes, Américo. "With His Pistol in His Hand": A Border Ballad and Its Hero. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2016.
Revel, Nicole. Songs of Memory in Islands of Southeast Asia. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publ., 2013.
Sims, Martha C., Martine Stephens, Christopher Schroeder, and Martha -- Stephens Martine. Sims. Living Folklore, 2nd Edition. Utah State University Press, 2011.