This is an example of seven syllable AMBAHAN POETRY OF THE Hanuoo-Mangyans of Mindoro island, Central Philippines When the Spaniards

arrived in the 16th century Philippines, they were surprised to find the inhabitants reading and writing in this exotic Asian script. It is a syllabic writing derived from ancient Brahmin scrip that originated in India some 2500 years ago. Although it has gradually disappeared it is still used by the Mangyans for their poetry. It is either engraved on bamboo or embroidered on cloth.

A. Says the man, already old, thinking of the life after death. When I will leave, it will be nice I will whistle ,
I will yell on the highest mountain peaks. Yes, one day I will be glad; I will see my wife again!. Many things well have to say ! Then I wont want to come back.

B. So you will be going now, starting on a journey far!... C. My dear boy, my friend so nice what you like now on the spot; tie the bamboos solidly In the middle
of the floor! .

D. My dear girl. I like you so much, tomorrow when the sun shines, we will leave this place of yours, let us
go together then! Both of us be on the way to my mother to propose. She will be so very glad!

E. My sweet-scented perfume plant, Mother, dont throw it away! Better put it over there, on top of the place I
sleep. Then when I come from the field or arrive from a far trip, I can watch it and enjoy .How I will be happy then.

F. If you are angry with me, dont be mad behind my back! Face me and we can agree. You know why I tell
you this? That I can go home in peace To Limbangan with the reeds, where the Anuhan food meets.

G. If your marriage is perfect, what we are still looking for? Here is where youll like to stay; all your life
youll be with her until you are growing old . You wont want to separate till the moment you will die; always she will be with you.

H. You girl, I would like to love if you wish to close the door while I am staying outside, let it be closed from
the floor, reaching to the heavens wide!

I.

You, sweet-smelling herb, my wife, I would like to tell you this, and to make it known to you, that although I go away from our house and dwelling place, bad intentions there are none. Our love remains the same.

AMBAHAN POETRY : Price $3.50each TRAVELER, MARRIAGE, COURTSHIP, FRIENDSHIP, HOSPITALITY This is an example of the seven syllable AMBAHAN poetry of the Hanuoo-Mangyans of Mindoro island, Central Philippines
he ambahan is the traditional poetry of the Hanunoo-Mangyans of Oriental Mindoro which is normally inscribed on bamboo using a pre-Colonial syllabic writing system called the Surat Mangyan.

Mangyan is a general term that refers to eight ethnolinguistic groups of proto-malay origin that occupies the mountainous region of Mindoro island. The Mangyans are the original inhabitants of Mindoro, the seventh largest island in the Philippines.

Contents
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1 History 2 Population 3 Mangyan Tribes 4 References 5 External Link 6 Citation

[edit] History

The Mangyans, centuries ago The Mangyan settled along the shores of Mindoro island approximately 600-700 years ago. It is believed that they had come from the southern regions of the archipelago. They were gradually forced to leave their coastal settlements by more aggressive groups. It appears that the Mangyan have traditionally been an unwarlike people, choosing to give up an area uncontested rather than fight for it. Before Spain conquered the Philippines, the Mangyans were already practicing the "barter trade" to the Chinese, who traveled to the shores of Mindoro using their ancient boats. The Mangyans traded their local products of cotton, root crops, medicinal plants and bees-wax for beads, gongs, plates and jars.

[edit] Population
The Mangyan population is over 100,000, about 10 percent of the total population of the island. The tribe is one of the 110 tribal groups of the country. Reports say there are about 100,000 Mangyans spread over the country. They are usually clustered into the Northern Mangyan (Tadyawan, Alangan and Iraya) and the Southern Mangyan (Buhid, Taobuid and Hanunuo). A small group called Bangon is considered a branch of the Taobuid. Another small group, Ratagnon on Mindoro's southernmost tip, is closely related to the Cuyonin of Palawan. They are a very nomadic people, who try to avoid outside influences in order to protect their own culture. During the years they have gradually moved away from other settlers. They used to live by the sea, but now they have settled in mountainous areas. Generally, the Mangyans of Mindoro practise swidden agriculture combined with hunting, fishing, gathering and trade.

[edit] Mangyan Tribes

A Mangyan house The following are the eight Mangyan tribes that may look the same but have different cultures and traditions:

Alangan

The Alangan Mangyans are found within the municipalities of Naujan, Baco, San Teodoro, and Victoria in Oriental Mindoro, and in the municipality of Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro. The name Alangan was derived from the name of a river and mountain slopes in the upper Alangan Valley.

Bangon

The Bangon Mangyans are found along the Bongabon river called Binagaw and the surrounding mountains located within the municipalities of Bongabong, Bansud, and Gloria in Oriental Mindoro. The Bangon Mangyans have their own culture and language different from the other 6 major Mangyan tribes in Oriental Mindoro and also their writing system. Hence, the Bangons have asserted that they be considered as the 7th major Mangyan tribe not as a sub-tribe of the Tau-buid Mangyans. On March 28, 1996 in a meeting in Ogom Liguma together with Buhid Mangyans, they decided to accept the word Bangon for their tribe.

Tau-Buid

A typical Mangyan village The Tau-buids are known as pipe smokers and even children begin smoking at a young age. The Taubuid Mangyans are found within the municipalities of Socorro, Pinamalayan and Gloria, but mostly they live in Occidental Mindoro.

Buhid

The Buhids are known as pot makers. Other Mangyan tribes, like the Alangan and Hanunoo Mangyans used to buy their cooking pots from the Buhids. The word Buhid literally means mountain dwellers. The Buhid Mangyans are found within the municipalities of Roxas, Bansud, Bongabong and some parts of Mansalay in Oriental Mindoro, and in the municiplaities of San Jose and Rizal in Occidental Mindoro.

Hanunoo

The Hanunoo Mangyans live in the towns of Bulalacao, Mansalay and some parts of Bongabong in Oriental Mindoro, and in the town of San Jose in Occidental Mindoro. They, like the Buhids and Hanunoo-Mangyans possess a pre-Spanish writing system, considered to be of Indic origin, with characters, expressing the open syllables of the language. This syllabic writing system, called Surat Mangyan, is still being taught in several Mangyan schools in Mansalay and Bulalacao.

Iraya

The Iraya is the tribe who lives in the beaches of Puerto Galera, San Teodoro and Baco in Oriental Mindoro. However, most of them live in Occidental Mindoro, in the towns of Mamburao, Sta. Cruz, Abra de Ilog and Paluan. Their steady diet consists of rice, banana, sweet potato, and other root crops.

Ratagnon

Most of the Ratagnons live in Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro. Like the Bangons, the Ratagnons have a unique language that is similar to the Cuyunon dialect that is spoken by the people who live in Cuyo Island in the northern part of Palawan. They also wear accessories made of beads and copper wire.

Tadyawan

The Tadyawan Mangyans live in the towns of Naujan, Victoria, Socorro, Pola, Gloria, Pinamalayan, and Bansud. Their ancient clothing is similar to the other Mangyan tribes. Most of them used to wear accessories like bracelets and necklaces made of beads. But today, most of the Irayas wear a civilized outfit. The Tadyawan, like the other Mangyan tribes, depend on swidden farming. And like the Irayas, their steady diet consists of rice, banana, sweet potato, and other root crops.