Darangen
Maranao epic poem from the Lake Lanao region of Mindanao, Philippines. / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Darangen is a long epic poem of the Maranao Muslim people from the Mindanao region of the Philippines. It tells many stories in 17 parts, with 72,000 lines. One important story is about a famous hero, Bantugan. The word Darangen means "that which is narrated by song or chant" in the Maranao language.[1][2]
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Darangen | |
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Country | Philippines |
Domains | Oral traditions and expressions; and social practices, rituals and festive events |
Reference | 00159 |
Region | Asia and the Pacific |
Inscription history | |
Inscription | 2008 (3rd session) |
List | Representative |
In 2002, Darangen was named a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines. The Lanao del Sur provincial government also called it a Provincial Treasure. UNESCO declared Darangen a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2008. It's the longest epic poem still alive in the Philippines.[3][4]
Darangen is usually sung or chanted. Sometimes, singers perform parts of it during weddings and celebrations. They use instruments like kulintang gongs, Tambor drums, and kudyapi stringed instruments. Dancers also act out different parts of the story. Depending on the part being performed, it can last a few hours or even a week. The poem also teaches about Maranao customs, values, and practices of both the Islamic period and from before the Maranao converted to Islam in the 14th century.[5][6]