LITERATURE DURING PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

The variety and abundance of Philippine literature evolved even before the colonial periods. Folk tales, epics, poems and
marathon chants existed in most ethno linguistic groups that were passed on from generation to generation through
word of mouth. Tales associated with the Spanish conquest also took part in the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Some of these pre-colonial literary pieces showcased in traditional narratives, speeches and songs are tigmo in Cebuano,
bugtong in Tagalog, patototdon is Bicol and paktakon in Ilongo. Philippine epics and folk tales are varied and filled with
magical characters. They are either narratives of mostly mythical objects, persons or certain places, or epics telling
supernatural events and bravery of heroes, customs and ideologies of a community.

LITERARY GENRES DURING PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

1. MYTHS are traditional stories occurring in a timeless past. They involve supernatural elements and are beyond
the frontiers of logic.
Myths from the Different Regions of the Philippines
Examples: Why There is a High Tide during a Full Moon (Ibanag); Why the Dead Come Back No More (Ifugao);
Mag-asawang Tubig (Tagalog); How the Moon and the Stars Came to Be (Bukidnon – Mindanao)
2. LEGEND differs from a myth by portraying a human hero rather than one who is a god. Legends, originally oral,
have been developed into literary masterpieces. Legends are stories about real people who are famous for doing
something brave or extraordinary.
Examples: Legend of the Dama de Noche; Legend of the Banana Plant; Legend of the Firefly
3. PROVERBS or aphorisms express norms or codes of behavior, community beliefs or they instill values by offering
nuggets of wisdom in short, rhyming verse.
Examples:
 A broom is sturdy because its strands are tightly bound.
Matibay ang walis, palibhasa'y magkabigkis.
People gain strength by standing together.
 It is hard to wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep.
Mahirap gisingin ang nagtutulog-tulugan.
While it is easy to tell people something they do not know, it is much harder if they are wilfully choosing not
to see what is before them.
 If you persevere, you will reap the fruits of your labor.
Pag may tiyaga, may nilaga.
They don't call them the fruits of labor for nothing.
Hard work and perseverance are needed to reach your goals. But if you keep trying, one day you will enjoy
the results of your efforts.
 New king, new character.
Bagong hari, bagong ugali.
New leadership always brings new ways.
4. RIDDLE is made up of one or more measured lines with rhymes and may consist of 4 to 12 syllables. It
showcases the Filipino wit, literary talent, and keen observation of the surroundings. It involves reference to one
or two images that symbolize the characteristics of an unknown object that is to be guessed.
5. CHANTS are used in witchcraft and enchantments.
Examples: Tabi, tabi po, Ingkong, makikiraan po lamang.
Bari-bari Apo, umisbo lang ti tao. (Ilokano)