Montenegro, Katrina V.

PE 12 9:00-10:00 TTh

Folkdance

Term denoting any kind of dance which has been developed within a traditional
community, rather than being created by a choreographer or teacher. Steps and patterns
are passed on from one generation to another, gradually undergoing change. Many folk
dances have their origins in ritual—fertility, marriage, religious, or war—and express the
character of the community who dance them.

There are 5 types or classifications of folk dances:

1. National and Regional Dances

2. Occupational Dances

3. Religious and Ceremonial Dances

4. Courtship Dances

5. Festival Dances

Folk dance is not only a way of showing the dance itself, but a way of showcasing the
way the dancers dress as well. It is one way of flaunting elegance and beauty of one’s
culture and religion.

ABARURAY

Type: Spanish Influence

Origin: Quezon
Pronounciation: (ah-bah-ROOH-rahy)

Abaruray is known in the Philippines as Hapayan, Baruray, Tagayan, Pandanggo sa

Baso and Abaroray. This is a wine offering that signals the beginning of folk dancing and
singing. The woman dances with a glass of wine on her head from which she entices a
man of her choice to drink the wine in it. Playful men would usually pretend to dislike the
offer by inventing reasons they could think of. Sensing that the woman is near offended,
the men would usually yield to drinking the wine. It is customary that the wine must be
drank by whoever is offered with because good manners dictate so.

The dance is believed to have been derived from "Aba! Ruray?!”, probably an
exclamation to a dancer who was very skillful with balancing the glass on her head
despite very difficult dance steps. Ruray is a pet name for the feminine name Aurora.
Though obvious that the name was derived from a sort of a 'spectacular' or daring dance
piece, there are however, equally beautiful versions of the Abaruray less the wine-glass
balancing act. The most popular among which is the Abaruray de Catanauan from
Catanauan, Quezon Province. The version is popular among Southern Tagalog festivities
like baptisms, town or barrio fiestas and similar festive occassions. The dance is unique
with a remarkable flexed-elbow-flap called binanog believed to have been introduced by
the Bicolanos.