SINGKIL
SINGKIL, a dance originating from Lanao del Sur,Mindanao
is said to be a dance of Muslim royalty.To the rhythmic clapping
of bamboo poles,the dancers weave expertly through crisscrossed
bamboos,the ladies dressed in elegant Muslim costumes waving
great big fans,the men flipping brightly colored handkerchiefts
right and left.The dancers wearing solemn faces and maintaining
a dignified pose begin dancing at a slow pace which soon progresses
to a faster tempo.The clashing bamboos and the whirling dancers
form an unforgettable kaleidoscope of color and sound that is
fascinating to the beholder.
Legend has it that Singkil originated from the day the
diwatas (some from of nymph or fairy) played a joke on Princes
Gandingan as she was taking a walk in the woods.The diwatas
caused an earthquake that made the trees tremble and the rocks
to roll and knock against each other nothing daunted, Princes
Gandingan skipped nimbly from place to place and no tree or
rock ever touched her tiny feet.
There are many versions of Singkil. When performed by
ladies of the royalty of Lanao,the dancer is usually accompanied
by a waiting lady,who holds a beautifully decorated umbrella
over the Princess' head wherever she goes. On the other hand
when the dance is performed by natives,not of royal blood,
the dancers, a boy and girl have no attendants.
The dance is usually performed by girls only.
EQUIPMENT. Four bamboo poles or light wooden poles,
three yards long and about two inches in
diameter; two pieces of board about oen
and a half feet long and two inches thick
where the poles are laid.
COSTUME. Dancers are dressed in typical Maranaw costume.
The girl holds an open fan in each hand and the
boy holds a brightly colored piece of cloth or
handkerchief in each hand by a corner s that he
can easily wave it or snap it back and forth.
MUSIC. No musical accompaniment is necessary. The clapping
of the bamboo poles furnishes the rhythm. It is in
4/4 time.
COUNT. One, two, three, and, (silent four), and or one,
and, two, and, three, and, (silent four), and or
one, two, three, four to a measure.
NOTE: To make instruction clearer and easier to understand
numbers and letters are used in designated areas.
FORMATION. The bamboo poles are arranged in cross formation.
Poles on areas 1, 3, 5 are on top of poles on
areas 4, 5, 2. The ends of the under poles rest
on the boards. The four boys and girls who clap
the bamboos are seated on the floor holding the
ends of two bamboo poles.
Boy stands at left side of bamboo on area C and girl stands
or left side of bamboo on area A. Dancers face each other.
STEP USED -- SINGKIL STEP
(a) Step R foot inside between bamboo poles (ct. 1), step
L foot close to R (ct. 2), step R foot outside the
right bamboo poles (ct. 3), tap L close to R foot
(ct. 4)...........................................1 M
(b) Step L foot inside between bamboo poles (ct. 1), step
R foot close to L (ct. 2), step L foot outside the
left bamboo pole (ct. 3), tap R close to L foot (ct.
4).................................................1 M
BAMBOO RHYTHM I
Strike bamboos that are under against the board a foot
or a little bit more apart (ct. 1), repeat same two more times
(cts. 2, 3), immediately raise the bamboos a few inches high and
strike them together against each other (ct. and), pause in same
position (ct. 4) strike them together again while still up (ct.
and)..........................................................1 M
The bamboo poles on top are struck in the same manner
simultaneously with the bamboo poles under.
BAMBOO RHYTHM II
Strike bamboo poles that are under against board a foot
or a little bit apart (ct. 1), repeat same four more times (cts.
and, 2, and, 3), immediately raise bamboo poles a few inches high
and strike them together against each oher (ct. and), pause in
same position (ct. 4), strike them together again while still
up (ct. and).................................................1 M
NOTE: Throughout the dance the Girl holds an open fan
in each hand and Boy holds one corner of a kerchief or piece
of cloth in each hand.
Introduction
Girl stands sideways at area A facing toward area B, Boy
stands sideways at area C facing toward area D.
(a) Step R foot forward inside between bamboo poles,
foot in perpendicular position (ct. 1), step L close
to R foot (ct. 2), step R backward outside left
bamboo pole (ct. 3), step L backward close to R foot
(ct. 4). Girl places hands on waist, knuckles in fans
pointing outward. Boy places hands on waist, knuckles
in, kerchiefs hanging down......................1 M
(b) Repeat (a), three more times....................3 M
I.
SINGKIL STEP
Bamboo Rhythm I
Partners face each other. Girl in area A and Boy in area C.
(a) Do singkil step, starting with R foot (I M), repeat
with L foot (1 M)...............................2 M
(b) Repeat (a), seven more times. Finish in proper
places.........................................14 M
Hand movements:
Girl
L hand down at side, R arm bent upward at shoulder level
doing a horizontal figure of eight ( ) in this manner: loop
inward (ct. 1), loop outward (ct. 2), bring fan inward with a half
loop only (ct. 3), bring fan close to chest in vertical position,
knuckles of R hand in front of waist (ct. 4). Repeat and L alternately
for sixteen measures.
Boy
L hand down at side. R arm bent upward R hand at shoulder
level doing a horizontal figure of eight ( ) in this
manner: loop inward (ct. 1), inward ( ct. 2), outward (ct.
3) flip kerchief over R shoulder (ct. 4). Repeat same with L
hand, R hand down at side (cts. 1, 2, 3, 4). Do this hand
movement, R and L alternately for sixteen measures.
II
SINGKIL STEP AND TURNING ABOUT
Bamboo Rhythm I,
Same position as in figure I.
(a) Step R foot inside between bamboo poles (ct. 1),
step L close to R foot (ct. 2), turn right and
at the same time step R outside the right bamboo
pole (ct. 3), step L close to R foot (ct. 4)...1 M
(b) Repeat (a) fifteen more times, turning about outside
left and right bamboo poles alternately...15 M
Hand movements:
Girl
Arms sideward at shoulder level, both hands doing a
horizontal figure of eight, looping toward front (ct. 1),
toward rear (ct. 2), repeat (cts. 3, 4). Do this movement
for sixteen measures.
Boy
Hold kerchiefs in front at chest level. Open hands
sideward (ct. 1), cross hands in front of chest with R over L
hand (ct. 2), open hands again (ct. 3), flip kerchiefs upward
(ct. 4) perform this movement for sixteen measures.
III
COUNTERCLOCKWISE AND CLOCKWISE
Bamboo Rhythm I.
Same position as in figure I.
(a) Step R foot inside between poles (ct. 1), step L
close to R foot (ct. 2), face counterclockwise
toward the next area and step R foot outside on
area B for Girl and on area D for B (ct. 3), step
L close to R foot or nearer next bamboo poles
(ct. 4)........................................1 M
(b) Face in so that partners face each other gain. Repeat
cts. 1, 2 movements in (a), Girl in area 3 and Boy
in area 1 (cts. 1, 2), move counterclockwise again
and repeat cts.3, 4 movements as in (a), Girl in
area C and Boy in area A.......................1 M
(c) Partners repeat (a), Girl steps to areas 4 and D
while Boy steps to areas 3 and C (1 M). Do not put
weight on L foot on ct. 4 of fourth measure....2 M
(d) Repeat all (a-c). reverse position moving clockwise
and starting with L foot. Do not put weight on R foot
on ct. 4 of the eight measure..................4 M
Hands movements:
Girl
Arms in lateral position sideward right, make a continuous
figure of eight as in figure II (cts. 1, 2, 3, 4). Do this movement
for eight measures, arms in lateral position, right and left side
alternately.
Boy
Hold hands in front at chest level. Flip R kerchief
upward and flip L kerchief downward (cts. 1, 2), reverse position
of hands (cts. 3, 4). Do this movement for eight measures,
reversing position of hands every two counts.
IV
RIGHT FOOT ACROSS IN REAR IN FRONT
Bamboo Rhythm I.
Same position as in figure I.
(a) Step R foot inside between bamboo poles (ct. 1),
step L close to R (ct. 2), step R foot outside
of right bamboo poles (ct. 3), step L close to
R foot (ct. 4).................................1 M
(b) Step R foot inside between bamboo poles across L
foot in rear (ct. 1), step L close to R foot (ct. 2),
step R foot outside of left bamboo pole across L in
front (ct. 3), step L close to R foot (ct. 4)..1 M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b), seven more times..........14 M
Hand movements:
Girl
Raise R hand obliquely right upward put L hand obliquely
left downward. In this position make a continuous figure of eight
with both hands (cts. 1, 2, 3, 4). Reverse position of arms at
every four counts. Perform this movement for sixteen measures.
Boy
Hold kerchief in front at chest level. Open hands sideward
(ct. 1), cross hands in front of chest with R over L hand (ct. 2),
open hands again (ct. 3), flip kerchiefs upward (ct. 4). Perform
this movement for sixteen measures.
V
BOY - DIAGONALLY AND OUT
GIRL - COUNTERCLOCKWISE AND CLOCKWISE
Bamboo Rhythm I
Same position as in figure I. Partners perform their
movements simultaneously.
Girl
Face counterclockwise with L shoulder toward center.
(a) Step R foot in perpendicular position in area 2 inside
between bamboo poles (ct. 1), step L close to R foot
(ct. 2), step R foot forward in area B (ct. 3) step L
forward going near area 3 (ct. 4). Repeat same movements
three more times moving counterclockwise to area 3 and
C (1 M), to areas 1 and A (1 M)..................4 M
(b) Turn right about. Repeat (a), moving clockwise. Retrace
steps............................................4 M
Boy
(a) Starting place, area C. Step R foot diagonally forward
to area 5 (ct. 1), step L close to R foot (ct. 2), face
area B and step R diagonally backward to area D (ct. 3),
step L close to R foot (ct. 4). Repeat same movements
counterclockwise; diagonally forward to area 5, diagonally
backward to area A (1 M); diagonally forward to area 5 and
diagonally backward to area B (1 M); diagonally forward
to area 5, diagonally backward to area C (1 M)...4 M
(b) Repeat (a) reverse direction moving clockwise. Retrace
steps............................................4 M
Hand movements:
Girl
R arm sideward at shoulder level, making a continuous figure
of eight; L hand on waist, knuckles in, fan pointing outward (cts.
1, 2, 3, 4). Do this movement for eight measures, R and L arm sideward
alternately.
Boy
Hands in front at chest level.
Flip R kerchief upward and L kerchief downward (ct. 1),
reverse the direction of flip (ct. 2) repeat same two more times
(cts. 3, 4). Flip kerchiefs inward (ct. 1), flip outward (ct. 2)
repeat same (cts. 3, 4). Perform these movements alternately for
eight measures.
INTERLUDE
Bamboo Rhythm I.
Partners stay in their proper places facing audience.
Perform any of the hand movements or dancers may improvise
their own hand movements. Girl goes to area B at the eight
measure....................................................8 M
VI
CROSSING AT CENTER
Bamboo Rhythm II.
Partners perform their movements alternately.
Boy starts at area C, Girl starts at area B, both
facing center.
(a) Boy - Step R foot diagonally forward to area 5
(ct. 1), step L close to R (ct. 2), step R
diagonally forward to area A (ct. 3), step L
close to R foot (ct. 4). Turn right about after
ct. 4..........................................M 1
(b) Girl - from area B, step R foot diagonally forward
to area 5 (ct. 1), step L close to R (ct. 2), step
R diagonally forward to area D (ct. 3), step L close
R foot (ct. 4). Turn right about after ct. 4...M 2
(c) Boy - Repeat (a), stepping into proper place, passing
area 5 to area C. Turn right about after ct. 4.M 3
(d) Girl - Repeat (b), stepping into proper place, passing
area 5 to area C. Turn right about after ct. 4.M 4
(e) Boy- Repeat (a)................................M 5
(f) Girl - Repeat (b)..............................M 6
(g) Boy - Repeat (c), transfer to D after ct. 4....M 7
(h) Girl - Repeat (d), transfer to A after ct. 4...M 8
(i) Boy - Repeat (a) stepping into area 5 and area B.
Turn right about after ct.4....................M 9
(j) Girl - Repeat (b) stepping into area b and area C.
Turn right about after ct.4...................M 10
(k) Boy - Repeat (a) stepping into area 5 and area D.
Turn right about after ct.4...................M 11
(l) Girl - Repeat (b) stepping into proper places,
passing area 5 to area A. Turn right about after
ct. 4.........................................M 12
(m) Boy - Repeat (i)..............................M 13
(n) Girl - Repeat (j).............................M 14
(o) Boy - Repeat (k)..............................M 15
(p) Girl - Repeat (l).............................M 16
Hand movements:
Girl
Repeat hand movement as in figure I, but placing R and
L alternately on waist with knuckles in on ct. 4 of every measure.
Perform this hand movement for sixteen measures.
Boy
Repeat hand movement as in figure I, placing R and L
alternately on waist with knuckles in on ct. 4 of every measure.
Perform this hand movement for sixteen measures.
VII
TURINING BETWEEN BAMBOO POLES
Bamboo rhythm II.
Same position as in figure I.
(a) Step R foot inside between bamboo poles at the
same time making a half-turn right (ct. 1), step L
close to R and at the same time making a half-turn
right again (ct. 2), step R foot outside of right
bamboo pole (ct. 3), tap L close to R foot (ct. 4)..1 M
(b) Repeat (a), starting with L foot and making the
half-turns to left..............................1 M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b), three more times............6 M
Hand movements:
Girl
Hold fans in front of chest in a vertical position, elbows
close to waist, forearms parallel with each other. Wave R fan outward
(ct. 1), wave L fan outward (ct. 2), wave both fans inward (ct. 3)
pause (ct. 4). Do these hand movements L and R alternately, every
four counts for eight measures.
Boy
Hold hands in front of chest, elbows close to waist. Flip
R kerchief upward (ct. 1), flip L kerchief upward (ct. 2), flip both
kerchiefs downward (ct. 3), pause (ct. 4). Flip R kerchief downward
(ct. 1), flip L kerchief downward (ct. 2), flip both kerchiefs over
shoulders (ct. 3), pause (ct. 4). Do this hand movements alternately,
every four counts for eight measures.
FINALE
Bamboo Rhythm I in slow tempo and softly.
Both dancers assume a striking pose, facing audience or
each other.............................................2 or 4 M
Daling-daling