Hear the Manobo Chant

              In this modern era, it is so seldom to hear traditional music. It became so peculiar to see youths performing traditional dances too. Most of the youths are into techno-pop, and pop-rock genre of music. Even I, myself, would admit that most of my playlists are pop songs from various artists like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Sara Bareilles, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, The Corrs, The phenomenal JaDine loveteam, etc. But my passion to hear unique kind of music has never gone anyhow, it's fervently burning inside me. Celtic Woman which I considered as the most distinct of all the artists I have in my playlist for they are more into reviving traditional Irish music by combining it to their songs. 

Bayang Barrios, a Filipino local singer
known for her deep love for tribal music
and for reviving traditional songs through
blending them on her original music.

             If someone tries to ask a group of millennial students about the most trending songs, for sure many would dare to write their favorite music. But if someone would try to ask the same group about the traditional songs or folk musics they knew, for sure no one cares. Despite the growing popularity of modern songs, despite the frequent requests of modern songs on radios, traditional music of Filipinos has never lost anyhow, it just needs a lot of care and revival.
             During the conduct of our research about the Manobo tribe of Sta. Irene, Bayugan City, I and my teammates witnessed an idiosyncratic type of music performed by one of the Manobo residents. Tud-um, which is the tribal term for chant, refers to  rhythmic speaking or singing of words or sounds, often primarily on one or two main pitches called reciting tones.

A breathtaking view of a fairy tale like mountain
 met us on our way to the Manobo community of Sta. Irene, Bayugan City.

              Chanting is a commonly used spiritual practice. Like prayer, chant may be a component of either personal or group practice. Diverse spiritual traditions consider chant a route to spiritual development. 
              Aling Teneng, a pure Manobo gave us a spectacular Tud-um. Aside from her beautiful facial outlook despite old age, her voice is truly amazing to be honest. Right at the moment when I heard her singing, I feel like I'm crossing to another dimension; a magical world where all of my favorite fantasy characters exist. 

A picture with Aling Teneng, beautiful pure Manobo
 who welcomed us in her home.

              I asked her where did she learn the tune of the Tud-um or chant she sang, she said that it comes into their mind naturally. An abian (a spirit) in which they believed as a superior being and considered as their protector gave her the tune. Whenever they are going to perform a certain ritual for wedding, birth, dedication, etc., a chant must be sang as a way of communication to their abian.
             Likewise, I asked her what does the song convey since it was sang on a Manobo dialect.
             "The song tells a story of a son who lost his parents when he was young and reunited with them after a long time. He is expressing his heartfelt gratitude to an Abian for keeping his parents safe and for giving him the chance to see them before his parents died." She said.
             A video of her performing a Manobo chant is posted below. She is quite shy while performing Tud-Um. Watch and enjoy!