Lambunao celebrates the 6th Binanog Festival
Banog bird (local hawk) an endangered specie
found at the WVSU Wildlife and Conservation
Park in Brgy. Jayubo, Lambunao
The Binanog Festival Tribe Competition caps this weeklong celebration on January 13, 2008
Traditional dances are popular art forms characterized by innovation and self-expression, and so continually adapt and evolve to present contemporary ideas and sensibilities.
Recent years have seen a growing interest in indigenous arts in Iloilo. Researchers have been involved in a number of projects such as recording the songs and dances of indigenous people. The local community is also making efforts to promote tribal culture. In the last few years, the provincial government through the provincial tourism office has included performances, and exhibitions on indigenous arts through its various tourism promotional projects.
Traditional dances mostly tell stories about the community, of relationships, and of the culture of the people. In Iloilo, there are different dances for different communities and they tell different stories. Many dances have been passed on years after years, generation after generation, and they are just as important to our people today as they were when they were first performed.
Binanog dance
One strand of Iloilo's cultural makeup is formed by the celebration of its local festivals. It is in this event that Arts such as dances and songs have long played a central role in the life of the Ilonggos, with each ethnicity developing its own distinct artistic styles. Festivals are avenues of indigenous dances that perform to keep culture alive and to keep passing on stories to our young people.
Representing the cultural link to the Bukidnons of Lambunao, Binanog Festival made its first appearance six years ago. This totally traditional festival is unique in that adults and children take an integral part in the traditional dances.
The festival has grown over the years to become an annual tradition for people around the municipality. The binanog dance is a traditional dance like the dances of indigenous people rather than a theatrical performance.
Dancers perform their mesmerizing steps as part of one of Iloilo's oldest unbroken dance traditions. Exponents of fine dance and music, Binanog create an awe inspiring atmosphere.
Binanog dance
The Binanog dance brings the soul of the Bukidnons to the limelight. It celebrates love and the spirit of the people as they perform to the symbolic beating of a gong. It is a simple dance of concentric circles based on the mating of banog birds (hawk). Each of the movements represents a commitment to action and involvement: the extension of the arms, the dignity of various foot works, and the recuperation of stillness. Performers pace themselves as they move to the steady heartbeat of the gong, they become one collective body. They dance for attention with each other. From the heart of their movements, the steps depict courtly pastime and stories that have been handed down over the generations.
Come and join the people of Lambunao as they celebrate their 6th BINANOG Festival with the theme "Binanog Dungog kag Manggad Halad kay Sr. Sto. Niño."
This unique community event kicks off on January 7, 2008 (Monday) with the festivals' Opening Salvo; Laro Ng Lahi, Torch Parade and Lin-ay Kang Binanog takes center stage on January 11 (Friday); January 12 (Saturday) is set for the Boxing Tournament and Mga Tampok Sang Tumandok stage play; and the spectacle of Binanog Festival Tribe Competition caps this weeklong celebration on January 13, 2008.