CPAR - Dance Critique November 24, 2022
Singkil
Singkil, also known by its previous name Sayaw sa Kasingkil, is a famous traditional dance of
the Maranao people of Lake Lanao, Lanao del Sur, Mindanao. It originated from the story in the
Darangen, the Maranao interpretation of the famous ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. The dance
was performed initially by mostly women that belong to the Royal family as a way to advertise the
women for potential suitors but is now performed during celebrations and other festive events.
Singkil dance is still practiced to this day in some particular regions, they are required to
learn this difficult and noble dance to keep the tradition alive. Some movements that can be
observed in Singkil dance are the hopping and stepping pattern. On the other hand, the dancers,
especially the women, use their wrists more to move the fan in various ways, including up, down,
and swirling. These movements are done with a fan to create a story for the audience. From the
video, the dance was made out of three segments and it showed that this dance is mainly done with
3 main characters for the storytelling. This dance is a narrative that depicts an episode from the
Darangen by re-telling the abduction of a Princess by a diwata and was being rescued by a Prince.
Throughout the dance, the dancers displayed excellent use of space by moving from one place to
another, utilizing all the available space. Their dance appears coordinated as they don't bump into
each other as they execute each of their routines on stage, another aspect that showcases their
excellent use of the set. The dancers have greatly shown impressive technical skills. There was
evident great posture, flexibility, strength, balance, and control. Facial expressions were great and
accurate as to how the dance should be portrayed for the audience to understand the whole story.
Singkil used music that transitions from slow to fast and vice versa. However, there are instances in
which the music is paused to highlight the sound of bamboo hitting the floor. The dancers elegantly
moved in time with the rhythmic music and in between the bamboo poles to emphasize their
movements. The dance is always accompanied by a kulintang or brass gong and an agung ensemble
that matches the tempo of the bamboo clappers.
The costumes used during the Singkil are among the most colorful and intricate Maranaw attires
and were very much appropriate for the performance. Given the story, the costumes of the Princess
and the Prince look like what royalties wore. The Princess wore an elaborate dress of a Maranaw
prince while holding fans in both of her hands. The Prince wore a prince-like outfit while carrying a
sword and a shield, indicating his role in saving the Princess. Another important character is the
Slave or Mag-Asik that came along with the Princess. She wore a typical or common dress by the
Maranaw people and carried an umbrella with the traditional Maranaw embroidery patterns.
Besides the main characters, all backup dancers have all dressed appropriately. All of the props used
were well thought out and relatively connected to the storytelling.
Singkil is viewed to be a traditional Muslim dance. This dance is performed during celebrations and
other festive occasions. While a festive celebration is usually vibrant and colorful, the dancers in the
video performed in front of black curtains with only a few props in the background. In this case, the
black stage curtain could help the audience focus on the dancers rather than the scenery or the
background of the performance.
Singkil
Singkil, also known by its previous name Sayaw sa Kasingkil, is a famous traditional dance of
the Maranao people of Lake Lanao, Lanao del Sur, Mindanao. It originated from the story in the
Darangen, the Maranao interpretation of the famous ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. The dance
was performed initially by mostly women that belong to the Royal family as a way to advertise the
women for potential suitors but is now performed during celebrations and other festive events.
Singkil dance is still practiced to this day in some particular regions, they are required to
learn this difficult and noble dance to keep the tradition alive. Some movements that can be
observed in Singkil dance are the hopping and stepping pattern. On the other hand, the dancers,
especially the women, use their wrists more to move the fan in various ways, including up, down,
and swirling. These movements are done with a fan to create a story for the audience. From the
video, the dance was made out of three segments and it showed that this dance is mainly done with
3 main characters for the storytelling. This dance is a narrative that depicts an episode from the
Darangen by re-telling the abduction of a Princess by a diwata and was being rescued by a Prince.
Throughout the dance, the dancers displayed excellent use of space by moving from one place to
another, utilizing all the available space. Their dance appears coordinated as they don't bump into
each other as they execute each of their routines on stage, another aspect that showcases their
excellent use of the set. The dancers have greatly shown impressive technical skills. There was
evident great posture, flexibility, strength, balance, and control. Facial expressions were great and
accurate as to how the dance should be portrayed for the audience to understand the whole story.
Singkil used music that transitions from slow to fast and vice versa. However, there are instances in
which the music is paused to highlight the sound of bamboo hitting the floor. The dancers elegantly
moved in time with the rhythmic music and in between the bamboo poles to emphasize their
movements. The dance is always accompanied by a kulintang or brass gong and an agung ensemble
that matches the tempo of the bamboo clappers.
The costumes used during the Singkil are among the most colorful and intricate Maranaw attires
and were very much appropriate for the performance. Given the story, the costumes of the Princess
and the Prince look like what royalties wore. The Princess wore an elaborate dress of a Maranaw
prince while holding fans in both of her hands. The Prince wore a prince-like outfit while carrying a
sword and a shield, indicating his role in saving the Princess. Another important character is the
Slave or Mag-Asik that came along with the Princess. She wore a typical or common dress by the
Maranaw people and carried an umbrella with the traditional Maranaw embroidery patterns.
Besides the main characters, all backup dancers have all dressed appropriately. All of the props used
were well thought out and relatively connected to the storytelling.
Singkil is viewed to be a traditional Muslim dance. This dance is performed during celebrations and
other festive occasions. While a festive celebration is usually vibrant and colorful, the dancers in the
video performed in front of black curtains with only a few props in the background. In this case, the
black stage curtain could help the audience focus on the dancers rather than the scenery or the
background of the performance.
