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.