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Mangyan Ambahan: Wisdom for Our Filipino Soul
In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Month, we invite you to immerse yourself in the powerful documentary “Mangyan Ambahan: Wisdom for Our Filipino Soul,” presented by the Mangyan Heritage Center. This film is a heartfelt tribute to the Mangyans and their profound impact on Filipino culture around the globe.
Crafted by Chiara Cox in partnership with the Mangyan Heritage Center, Pinagkausahan Hanunuo sa Daga Ginurang (PHADAG), the Peoples Organization of the Hanunuo-Mangyans, and the Antoon Postma family, organized by the Filipino American Association of Greater Columbia (FAAGC), with the Richland Library and sponsored by South Carolina Humanities, this documentary was first screened by the Filipino American Association of Greater Columbia (FAAGC), South Carolina to help celebrate Filipino American History Month in Columbia, SC on October 5, 2024.
Join us in celebrating this vital piece of our Filipino heritage and be inspired by the wisdom of the Mangyans!
Mangyan Legacy
Centuries before the influence of Western civilization, the Mangyans of Mindoro thrived in peaceful unity, preserving their rich indigenous languages, vibrant cultures, and distinct identities as indigenous communities. Embrace and celebrate their invaluable cultural legacy to enrich and inspire our modern society.
Featured Mangyan Treasure
Ambahan
The ambahan, a form of indigenous poetry of the Hanunuo Mangyans, is traditionally inscribed on bamboo using the Surat Mangyan script, an ancient writing system that has been preserved for centuries. The unique combination of the syllabic script and ambahan poetry has played a significant role in their enduring legacy. Learn more
Antoon Postma, a distinguished anthropologist and prominent authority on Mangyan culture, passionately collected over 22,000 ambahans. Revered as the pioneer of Mangyanology, Postma meticulously curated an anthology of ambahans structured according to the Mangyan life cycle.
AMBAHAN VERSES
Uncover the boundless beauty and wisdom encapsulated in the ambahan poetry carefully chosen from Postma's collection. (Source: Bamboo Whispers, Winner of National Book Award and Golden Book Award)
Birth and Childhood
Since the aim of this collection of ambahans is to present a cross-section of the Mangyan poetic verse with respect to the life-cycle of the Mangyans, the first ambahans, to be chronological, should pertain to the first chapters of human life.
Ambahan 3
A cradle song about a wildcat that threatens from the forest and the baby’s cry may awaken it. The best protection is for the baby to stay silent lest he attract unwanted attention
Filipino
Tahan na, aking anak
Hala! ‘ayan na’ng pusa
laog s’yang galing gubat
umingaw, ngumawngaw
wala kitang pambugaw
naputol, yaring sibat
nabingaw, ating tabak!
English
Little one, please cry no more
Watch out now or you might wake
the fearsome forest wildcat
It will growl, oh, it will roar!
and we have no weapons near
Our old spear has been destroyed
Our bolo has long been blunt.
Spanish
Chiquitin no llores más
duerme y no despertarás
al feroz gato montés
¡gruñirá y rugirá!
y no hay armas por aquí
nuestra lanza se rompió
y el bolo no corta ya.
Ambahan 7
Mangyan parents believe in hands-on learning for their children, even if it involves risks. Early tool use teaches skills and builds character.
Filipino
Ay tabak kung baguhan
ikiskis sa hasaan
itaga sa kahuyanan
talim ay subukan
sa tigas ng kawayan!
English
The bolo you have in hand
grind it hard on a whetstone
hack and test it on some wood
that’s the only way to see
how it cuts on a bamboo plant
Spanish
El machete que tienes
afílalo en pedernal
pruébalo en la moderna
sólo así podrás saber
cómo cortará un bambύ.
Ambahan 16
Children’s quarrels are fleeting and they do not hold resentments. Crying is brief; former rivals will play again.
Filipino
Pag umulan tag-araw
ula’y ‘di magtatagal
Kugo’y dadami lamang.
English
When it rains in summertime
the downpour does not last long
just enough for grass to grow.
Spanish
Cuando llueve en verano
el chaparrón no es largo
crece apenas la hierba.
Adolescence
The transition from the dependent child into the self-sufficient young man or woman is not marked by initiation ceremonies or induction rites. In some things, children are given independence at an early age. In other things, they continue to act dependently.
Ambahan 27
How will a young man face the challenge of his journey? Will he not look back to the wonderful memory of his childhood?
Filipino
inakalong ni Nanay
kinakandong ni Tatay
sadya pang kamusmusan
tunay akong paslit lang
hanggang sa kaingin man
‘Sinasama ni Tatay
kahit pa utal-utal
sanggol na walang muwang
ngunit nang magka-minsan
lumaki’t magkagulang
akin namang nalaman
kay Tatay, kawikaan
kay Nanay, kasabihan
malayo mang lakaran
saan man ang abutan
kung kasam-an ang datnan
sila lang ang uwian!
English
Mother used to carry me
Father never left my side
when I was but an infant
I used to be a tiny tot
who could hardly speak a word
Walking to the field to work
he would take me by the hand
telling me his old stories
from a deep well of wisdom
Many things are different now
now this boy understands
what it is my father said
what it is my mother said.
Even when I’m walking far
traveling for many miles
my mind reaches back to them
with these problems I must solve.
Spanish
Madre solía llevarme
Padre no se me apartó
cuando yo era nió aύn
apenas un chiquitin
que casi no sabía hablar,
Yendo al campo a trabajar
él tomaba mi mano
contándome sus cosas
con gran sabiduría.
Todo es distinto ahora,
ahora este niño entiende
lo que dijo mi padre
lo que dijo mi madre
y hasta cuando ando lejos
viajando muchas millas
mi mente vuelve a ellos
cuando debo decidir.
Ambahan 35
Then the day comes when adolescence ends. The parents know now that there is not much hope that the young people will do things the way the parents want them to do. The young man goes his way, and nobody can direct him anymore.
Filipino
Talagang ganyan naman
dampa kung kasikipan
walang halos mahigan
manapa’y pagtiisan!
English
I see what’s happening now
this hut is too small for me
it’s become too hard to sleep
for a boy who’s all grown up.
Spanish
Ya sé que ocurre ahora:
la casa me es pequeña,
aquí le cuesta dormer
a un joven que ya creció.
Courtship
Ambahan 46
It is also unavoidable to have a teenager who will go here and there after every girl. This is the usual advice to such a lad.
Filipino
Hoy ube kong Guhayan
H’wag maraming kabagan
Kapitan mo’y isa lang!
English
IYou, my yam, named Guhayan
Don’t dare climb too many vines!
You should cling to only one.
Spanish
Mi batata Guhayán
no trepes toda parra
cuélgate solo de una.
Ambahan 51
Most of the courting boys have made their choice
already. They know whom they don’t fancy, and they even have a faint notion why.
But above all, they know the object of their love and have their solid motives
for it.
Filipino
Sa Damo po’y ayaw ko
dahong pampahilo
pampasakit ng ulo
Daliot itong gusto
nagluluwag ang puso
hanggang sa pagkatuyo!
English
I don’t like these blades of grass
they just make me so dizzy
they make my head hurt so much!
I prefer the Daliot
it unites my soul and heart
‘til the hour it falls apart.
Spanish
No me agrada esta hierba
me produce mareos
y dolor de cabeza,
me gusta más el Daliot
une mi alma y corazón
hasta que se deshace.
Ambahan 96
The man, even if spurned by the woman he desires, will treasure this love forever.
Filipino
Magwika ka’t bahala
sa gunita’y iwala
Ako nama’y may wika
sa isip nakataga
magpahanggang kabila!
English
It’s your honest right to say
if you’ll keep me in your heart
But if I may speak up too
my thoughts are engraved with you
until my very last day!
Spanish
Tú debes de decider
si en tu alma voy a estar
pero yo sí te dire
que me siento unido a tí
hasta mi hora final
Home and Domestic Life
What
does a Mangyan home look like? His house is not as important as a house is to
his countrymen of modern culture. A Mangyan will be the first to admit that his
house is of poor construction and just a temporary dwelling.
Ambahan 117
Some people react so emotionally that they allow anger to take over their temper. Would you not advise your friend to stay calm to help deal with his problems more effectively?
Filipino
Ay bakit ka ba ganyan
init-ulo’y sukdulan
Taklob ba ng langitan
anaki’y ginuhuan?
Pagtila niring ulan
ang galit mong saglitan
bugsong walang nuknukan
hanging walang yupyupan
Tampulan mang tao lang
‘di ba’t may uuwian
panatag na tahanan!
English
What is happening to you?
Why are you so hot-headed?
Could the heavens be falling?
Is everything collapsing?
There’s an end to every rain
Like this, your anger will pass
every typhoon has an end
and can claim no lasting place
You are human, after all
with a home to return to
and peace awaiting you there!
Spanish
¿Que es lo que te ocurre a ti?
¿Por qué te indignas tanto?
¿Se desploman los cielos?
¿El mundo se derrumba?
toda lluvia se acaba
también tu enojo se irá
todo tifón termina
no perdura en un lugar.
pero tú eres un hombre
con hogar al que volver
y la paz te aguarda allí.
Ambahan 122
It is not always good to harbour ill feelings against another family member. Grudges grow and hurt the relationship. They must be dealt with at the earliest time before being buried in deep recesses of the heart.
Filipino
Kung may hinanakit man
h’wag nawang talikuran
sabihin nang harapan
‘pagkat aking dahilan
Mahinahong papar’yan
Sa tal’hibang Libangan
sa mahabang Anuhan.
English
Something made you mad at me
please don’t talk behind my back
let’s settle this face-to-face
You know why I tell you this?
You can give me back my peace
Like the grass of Libangan
where the long Anuhan flows.
Spanish
Si algo mío te enfadó,
no hables a mis espaldas,
de frente se ha de arreglar
¿Sabes por qué te hablo así?
para recobrar mi paz
como el prado en Libagán
por donde fluye el Anuhan.
Food and Work
What
does a Mangyan home look like? His house is not as important as a house is to
his countrymen of modern culture. A Mangyan will be the first to admit that his
house is of poor construction and just a temporary dwelling.
Ambahan 138
Obtaining food keeps the Mangyans busy for most of the year: selecting and preparing the field; sowing the carefully kept seed; weeding and cleaning the plants; harvesting the most precious food, cotton-white mountain rice. Unfortunately, an ideal harvest depends on an exact amount of sun, wind and rain. Often though, an extensive drought, a nasty typhoon or prolonged monsoon rains effect the opposite result, hardship and scarcity of food. It is therefore, no wonder that the Mangyans worry about their crops a great deal.
Rice is a food the Mangyans enjoy. After they have harvested their rice, it seems that there will never come an end to their supplies. But, before they realize it, gone is all their hope and happiness.
Filipino
Ang payo ko pa noon:
Magtipon ka ng dunong
sa Mangyan, sa Damuong
sa Buhid, sa Ratagnon
Magtanim walang pagod
Para walang magutom!
English
My advice from long ago:
Seek all the wisdom you can
from the Mangyan, Damuong
from the Buhid, Ratagnon
Then plant without ceasing
So you never go hungry!
Spanish
Mi consejo, ya antiguo:
Indaga todo el saber
del Mangyán y del Damuong
del Buhid y Ratagnón,
luego, planta sin cesar
y hambre nunca pasará.
Ambahan 153
Another source of sustenance can be found in the waters. The Mangyans of the past were experienced fishermen. They are fishermen to a much lesser extent now, as they have been driven away from their coastal lowland settlements towards the interior mountain areas.
Filipino
Hoy, isda kong Indagan,
pagtirik niring buwan
ako muna’y palabak
palusong at dahilan
baka nga may malambat
‘yang lambat na matatag
nakagapos sa tagdan
may batong pabigat ‘yan!
English
Indagan, my river fish:
if the moon stands still bright
I’ll go to the flood tonight
descending with my eyes peeled
so I have something to catch
with my special, sturdy net
manacled to upright poles
with large stones to weigh it down
Spanish
Mi pececito Indagán:
si hay luna en calma y pura
iré de noche al agua
con ojos bien abiertos
algo tengo que pescar
con mi extraordinaria red
bien atada a los postes
y lastrada con piedras
Ambahan 160
In a home lies an extended family, and the young man who ventures forth to forage and hunt for the family’s food wishes to make sure that his two loves —mother and betrothed — remain in harmony.
Filipino
Masamyo kong Butinggan
Ay h’wag itapon, Inang
‘suksok lang sa sulukan
Sa ‘taas ng higaan
Pagdating mula parang
sa malayong lakaran
rikit kong pagmamasdan
sa puso’y kagiliwan!
English
My sweet-scented Butinggan
mother, please don’t throw away
better put it near my head
where I lull myself to sleep
When I return from the field
or get home from a long trip
her sight will please me no end
delight for my weary heart
Spanish
Mi olorosa Butinggan
madre, no me la tires
ponla en mi cabecera
donde me acuesto a dormer.
Cuando vuelvo del campo
o tras un largo viaje
su vista me da placer
alegra mi corazón.
Travelling
Ambahan 162
As a relief from life’s struggles, the Mangyan sometimes goes traveling: he cannot be kept tied any longer to his house and daily chores, whether it is opportune or not. However, the wife is unfortunately bound to her home, especially when their children are still small.
Filipino
Ikaw na nga’y pariyan
sa isang paglalakbay
Mata mo’y pinagyaman
tanawing maraanan
Narito nga’t naiwan
sa dampang liitan
Walang mapag-isipan
tingin lang sa bubungan
tungo lang sa sahigan!
English
So you will be going now
starting on a long journey
where your sight will be enriched
by the many lands you cross
But I, who will stay behind
here within this small abode:
what thoughts could I entertain
just looking up at the roof
just looking down at the floor!
Spanish
Tú ahora te marchas ya
para ir a un largo viaje
y esto te enriquecerá
al ver muchos lugares
pero yo me quedo aquí
en un lugar pequeño
sin ninguna distracción
mas que mirar el techo
y mirar luego el suelo.
Ambahan 167
Would the young leave the house if there are signs of bad fate? Would he not heed his parents’ advice not to travel? But if there are no such signs, would he not insist on going?
Filipino
Kanina nang lumisan
pababa sa hagdanan
galing sa may dingdingan
may tukong minatyagan
huning-ibon, anuman
Datapwa’t wala naman
tuko’t ibong siyapan
langingit ni kawayan
maging iyang buho man
walang nahiwatigan
tana’y katahimikan
Taos kong naramdaman
‘lagay na ang kalooban
palad kong pupuntahan
ay payapang batuhan!
English
When I left a while ago
coming down the flight of stairs
and staying close to the walls
I was list’ning real hard
for the bird’s or gecko’s call
But then there was not a sound
not a chirp nor throaty cluck
not the creaking of bamboo
not in the straight, swaying grove
was there as much a squeaking
Oh, it was perfectly still
and so my heart was gladdened
good and ready to travel
there to find its destiny
in that peaceful rocky place
Spanish
Hace un instante, al salir,
bajando la escalera
y junto a las paredes
escuché con atención
a pájaros y gueckos
pero nada se oía
ni gorjeos ni cloqueos
ni el chirrido del bamboo
ni en el cimbreante bosque
hubo un solo crujido
todo estaba tranquilo;
mi corazón se allegro
dispuesto para viajar
y encontrar su destino
en las tranquilas
Hospitality and Friendship
When a traveler arrives at a house, he won’t be afraid that he may not be welcome. Hospitality is considered the highest of virtues among the Mangyans.
Ambahan 181
The Mangyan family welcomes visitors with openness. They share delight with their visiting friends and relatives through betel — chewing, taking meals and storytelling. How could a host resist the coming of a visitor who came from a far place?
Filipino
Katoto kong matalik,
saan ka ba nanggaling?
Sa baybayin bang gilid?
Nanunson ba ng batis?
Kung sa bukal ng tubig
halina at magniig
sa k’wentuhan mong ibig
Di-kilala ma’t batid
makapiling ka’y lirip!
English
When I left a while ago
My friend, make yourself welcome
Where are you from, may I ask?
From the seashore’s ebbing flow
or the banks of murm’ring stream?
If from up the sparkling spring
then without a doubt let’s talk
let me hear your happy tales
stranger though you are to me
you’re welcome to stay right here
Spanish
Amigo, ¡Bienvenido!
¿Desde dónde has venido?
¿Desde la orilla del mar?
¿Desde un vivo manantial?
Si es de la viva fuente
sin duda hemos de hablar
quiero oir tus relatos;
aunque eres forastero
te invite a estar junto a mí.
Ambahan 205
This is how a Mangyan describes missing a friend who lives too far away.
Filipino
Mahal kong kaibigan
kung kita’y pag-isipan
may ilog sa pagitan
may gubat sa harapan
Ngunit kung pagbulayan
parang sa tabi lamang
kapiling sa kandungan
English
You, my friend, dearest of all
thinking of you makes me sad
Rivers deep are in between
forests vast keep us apart
But thinking of you with love
it’s as if you were right here
standing, sitting by my side!
Spanish
Mi más querido amigo
¡Qué triste es pensar en ti!
rios hondos nos separan
tupidos bosques también.
Recordarte con amor
es como tenerte aquí
sentado cerca de mí.
Marriage
Although the courtship period has a varied set of rules and ceremonials, the marriage itself is as simple as possible. After the consent of the parents has been obtained, the unceremonial first sleep of both the spouses together is considered as wedlock itself.
In the ambahan literature, a major part revolves around the perennial theme of married life and all its ramifications. After many years of living together, does the husband still remember the promise that he gave as an ardent lover?
Ambahan 210
Marriage is a life-long bond. When difficulties arise, the Mangyans try to smooth them out themselves.
Filipino
Panali ma’y marupok
uway mandin ay gapok
ikaw itong ‘susubok
magpapatibay lubos!
English
If the tie that binds is weak
If the rattan tends to break
You should stretch and test it so
It can be strong as ever!
Spanish
Si el nudo está ya flojo
y el ratán tiende a romper
debes tensarlo y probar
si ya está firme otra vez.
Ambahan 231
Quarrels are bound to happen in any marriage but don’t give up.
Filipino
Kahit may kaguluhan
may tampuha’t alitan
di dapat talikuran
unawain lang naman!
English
Even with all this chaos
these petty grudges and fights
there’s no reason for good-byes
let’s both try and understand!
Spanish
Pese a todo este lío
disputas y discusión
no hay razón para un adios
tratemos de entendernos.
Ambahan 234
A marriage that has withstood destructive forces will remain strong as they grow old together.
Filipino
Kab’yak kong halimuyak,
kita ma’y magkawalay
ngayon at kalian man
kung buklod ay matibay
maayos ang samahan
ikaw nga at ako man
magkahawak ng kamay
kaniig sa kandungan!
English
My sweet-scented cherished wife
even if we are parted
for now and forever more
our union will thus endure:
if our bonds are strong and pure
though you’re you and I am i
our hands are clasped so tight
joined together in one womb!
Spanish
Dulce y querida esposa
aunque nos separemos
hoy o más adelante
nuestra unión perdurará
si el lazo es fuerte y puro
aunque tú y yo somos dos
nuestras manos unidas
nos elazan con Fuerza.
Old Age
Sharing their love, the happy couple grows old together.
Old age in Mangyan society is not given special status and special privileges. As long as anyone is able to keep up, he is expected to take part in daily work. It is, therefore, not surprising to see the old and feeble people working side by side with the younger generations in the rice fields. However, the irrevocable advance of time is felt by the elder generation. It is something that can't be changed.
Ambahan 235
The elders know that theirs is a setting sun. Change is happening day by day. Soon they will join their forefathers’ graves.
Filipino
Hindi ba’t katunayan
katotohanan sa’n man —
maka-tanghaling araw
dapithapong hihimlay?
English
It’s a fact that we all know
A truth wherever we go:
The sun in the afternoon
Will be setting very soon.
Spanish
Todos lo sabemos bien
y es cierto en cualquier lugar
el sol, al atardecer
muy pronto se pone ya
Ambahan 237
Among themselves, the older generation talks about the time when they will no longer be together. Will there still come another day after this night?
Filipino
Sa Sandaling karimlan
kahit kita magtipan
sa banig na higaan
Pagpusyaw niring araw
tala kang malulusaw
buklod itong bibigay
May tagpo pang daratal
sa iba nang pananaw
bagong-anyo at Buhay!
English
At this hour of the dark night
we two are together still
on this woven sleeping-mat
But soon when the sun rises
and the stars will melt away
our bond might break up too
When we’ll ever meet again
it won’t be with mortal eyes
but the eyesight of the soul!
Spanish
En esta noche oscura
aún seguimos juntos
en el lecho tejido
pero cuando amanezca
y marchen loas estrellas
se acabará nuestra unión.
Cuando nos reencontremos
no será en forma mortal
será con nuestras almas.
Ambahan 242
The thought of death is quietly accepted by a Mangyan. It is not the frightful and horrible event that is feared so much by the lowland Christians. For a Mangyan, death is part of the life cycle of every human being; it is looked upon as something that will bring a definite change in life, mostly for the better, not for the worst. Especially when the Mangyan gets old, he likes to think of death as the moment that will bring him back again to his beloved who went ahead of him.
Filipino
Wika ng isang Mangyan
isip ang kamatayan:
Kung yayao’t papanaw
sipul akong hihiyaw
sa babaw ng ‘burulan
Kung dumatal ang asam
pagtagpo natin hirang
usap nati’y puspusan
hahayo na’ng lubusan!
English
So he said, the old Mangyan
musing about life and death
When I go, that will be nice
I will yodel, hoot, and yell
from the highest mountain peaks
When it comes that longed-for time
when I see my wife again
catching up we have to do
happy together again!
Spanish
Dijo así el Viejo mangyan
pensando en vida y muerte:
cuando yo me haya ido
¡ silbaré y gritaré
desde el pico más alto!
en ese día añorado
en que nos reencontremos
mucho tendremos que hablar
juntos los dos otra vez
.
Sickness and Death
Sickness is unavoidable in human life. A person who is ill can easily be recognized. When physical life comes to an end, the soul departs for another place.
Ambahan 246
The moment of dying, this singular experience, is vividly remembered afterwards by the soul, especially if death came during an agonizing circumstance.
Filipino
Hinagpis ng kalul’wa:
Kanina nang lumisan
sa dampa kong yupyupan
katawan ko’y hirapan
sa banig na higaan
Ayaw ko mang lumisan
balisang nagpaalam
Pa-biling-biling naman
pakaliwa’t pakanan
Manapa’y kung ganyan
ako na ay lilisan
liligo sa hugasan
sa tubig dalisayan
Paro’n na sa hantungan
sa himlayan ni Amang
sa kandungan ni Inang!
English
Recalls the soul lamenting:
A while ago as I left
the hut I had called my home
my body was suffering
long laid down on its sick mat
though not ready yet to go
Thus in agony I left
I was turning here and there
back and forth and right and left
so confused I was that time
Then my body laid to rest
I was ready for a bath
in the waters for the soul
I have started on my way
to the place my father went
where my mother joined him too.
Spanish
Dice el alma con queja:
hasta hace un rato, al dejar
la casa que era mi hogar
mi cuerpo sufría mucho
mientras yacía en la cama
no era aún hora de partir
estuve agonizando
girando aquí y alli
bamboleo por doquier
me sentí muy confuso
Luego el cuerpo descansó
listo ya para un baño
en las aguas del alma,
me encaminé hacia el lugar
al que se fue mi padre
y mi madre se le unió
.
Ambahan 260
The Mangyans have a steadfast belief in the afterlife, the vast chasm between the temporal and immortal world, and the serenity and permanence of the soul’s final journey.
Filipino
Paalam ng kaluluwa:
Di kayo susumbatan
ni malulungkot man lang
mula ngayon, kaylanman
hayo’y walang balikan
sapagkat katunayan
nagsanga nang tuluyan
ang Wasig na ilugan.
English
The soul bidding his farewell:
I won’t haunt or bother you
I won’t be filled with regrets
from now on and for all time
there is no returning here
that’s the way it has to be
When a river’s current parts,
each stream follows its own course.
Spanish
El alma, en su adíios final:
yo no os voy a molestar
ni me voy a lamentar
desde hoy en adelante
no volveré más aquí
las cosas así han de ser
si un río se parte en dos
distintos cauces tendrá.