DANCE LITERATURE OF KARATONG
Background:
Karatong dancers use bamboo tube about a yard long, tied horizontally below the waist and struck by two
sticks to tap the rhythm of the dance. The Tobong KARATONG, from MINDANAO, which is a ceremonial
dance performed to frighten the evil spirits away. Bunga Mangga, from Cuyo, Palawan, is a part of the
Karatong in which dancers collect flowers from the mango tree- thus the bunga manga contraption. (Cuyo,
Palawan) The annual parade of San Agustine includes the celebration of blossoming mango trees that grow
abundantly on the island of Cuyo, the former capital of Palawan province. Starting at the church patio and
ending at the town plaza, groups of ladies sway their colorful “bunga manga,” which are meant to represent
the flowers of the mango tree while the men strike lively, syncopated beats with their Karatong.
MOVEMENTS PARTICULAR TO THE DANCE:
1. Rhythmic beating of Karatong (male)
2. Gingerly sitting on knees of kneeling partners ladies)
3. Jumping Jack and forward roll (male)
4. Hat capped on one foot while hop turning on the other (male)
DANCE PROPERTIES:
Costume
Female: Visayan Rural “Kimona”
Top (Camisa): Blouse of any light color, abaca cotton, or organza, short pleated sleeves.
Chemise (Corpino): White cotton or similar material, fine embroidery around neckline.
Skirt (Patadyong):
1. Ankle-length tube skirt of cotton or the like, preferably blush-pump shades,
ankle length.
2. Plaid in red, yellow, green and orange.
3. Plain loud colors may do.
Props: Ribboned buri hat, bunga mangga.
Male:
Top (Camisa de Chino): Multi-colored or multi-flowered.
Dance Step:
Boys:
Figure 1:
4 side steps while striking the bamboo tube then turn;
(Repeat twice) (32 counts)
Figure 2:
Striking the floor using the bamboo sticks in harmony to the beat of the music
Figure 3:
Repeat Figure 1 once, afterwards boys will kneel while striking the bamboo tube (64 counts)
Figure 4:
Walk while striking the bamboo tube going to girls, afterwards boys will raise
their right foot then turn. (32 counts)
Figure 5:
Strike the floor eight times then strike the bamboo and turn,
(Repeat twice) (16 counts)
Do change step twice with turn while striking the bamboo (16 counts)
Figure 6:
Kneel then wave the body and strike the bamboo twice, do this 7 times
then stand and strike the bamboo 4 times. (32 counts)
Figure 7:
4 counts walk while one hand is striking the bamboo and the other is
raised within shoulder level, Repeat 4 times (32 counts)
Figure 8:
Do leap step and then turn while one foot is raised (32 counts)
Figure 9:
Do bleking steps six times then change step and turn (32 counts)
Figure 10:
Repeat Figure 1 once, then repeat Figure 7 and afterwards strike the Bamboo
Continuously 16 times then do change step and front roll (3-32 counts)
Girls:
Figure 1:
Change steps while swaying the hat with one hand then turn;
(Repeat twice) (32 counts)
Figure 2:
Turn right for 8 counts and left for 8 counts while the arms are
raised and doing some movement, afterwards repeat figure one once (32 counts)
Figure 3:
Go in front of the boy and put the hat in the raised foot, afterwards
do the change step while clapping going backward and then forward and
then catch the hat when the boy throw it (32 counts)
Figure 4:
Repeat Figure 1 but this time sway the hat with two hands (32 counts)
Figure 5:
Put the hat on the head then do the kuriti step and swing hips 4 times
Thereafter repeat Figure 1 (64 counts)
Figure 6:
Change step while swaying the bamboo (32 counts)
Figure 7:
4 counts walk while two hand is grip into the bamboo
and then turn, Repeat 4 times. (32 counts)
Figure 8:
Do cross steps and then turn while two hand is grip into the bamboo (32 counts)
Figure 9:
Repeat Figure 7
Tableau
