SUGUIDANON (EPIC CHANTING)

Suguidanon is a centuries-old oral tradition of epic chanting performed by the Panay Bukidnon communities in upland Central Panay. This features ten epics that reflect their spiritual worldview, customs, and identity. Traditionally performed by manugsuguidanon such as binukot (secluded maidens) and babaylan (shamans), it serves as both entertainment and a medium for transmitting cultural knowledge during social and spiritual gatherings. The chanting is complex, using Old Kinaray-a and requiring great memorization and vocal skill, often taking days to complete and performed during rituals, harvests, or as lullabies. Despite the decline in the number of chanters due to social changes and the fading binukot tradition, the community now safeguards it through Schools for Living Traditions and weekend sessions led by culture masters. Recognition efforts such as the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan award and the integration of Suguidanon into Calinog’s Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival have helped raise awareness and pride in the tradition. Scholarly research and documentation, particularly by Dr. Alicia Magos and Dr. Felipe Jocano, have been crucial in preserving the tradition and providing educational resources to ensure its continued transmission.