DUNG-AW

PREPARED BY: GRETCHEN F. ENTICO

BSBM

DUNG-AW

Is an ancient poetry and tradition of Ilocano. It is a sung as a lament person dies. In this poem speaks of the goodness of man died when he was alive.

THE ART OF DUNG-AW

• Ilocanos have a collection of dirges or dung-aw, chanted or waited in funeral wakes lamenting the passing of the dead.

• To tourists or non-ilokanos hearing dung-aw, it sounds like a phrase that is more sang than spoken. It usually peaks to a creascendo of discordant shouting then tapers of to melodic whimpering.

Tradition of Dung-aw

• Dung-aw is the song of soul that ilocanos sing to ease the pain of losing a loved one. It is the release of the pent-up flood of indignation and suffering. A cry from the heart that can no longer keep its peace.

Tradition of Dung-aw

• In a wake, when one person starts chanting dung-aw, a lot more people follow, so that the whole chorus sounds like one synchronized voice punctuated by an occasional scream.

• Not just women, but also men, sing this song of grief.