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Friday, May 23, 2003
City library gets 2 books on Ifugao tales
THE Baguio City library received Tuesday copies of two books on the Ifugao tales, the most recent cultural publications of the St. Louis University Cordillera Research and Development Foundation.
Author-researcher Dr. Calos Medina presented the books to City Librarian Emilio Supsupin to enrich the library's section on Cordillera literature and culture.
The thicker book (447 pages) entitled "Toward Understanding Bu'gan ya Wi'gan ad Chu-ligan," renders 106 Ifugao abuwab tales literally and existentially. Form-wise, it presents the Ifugao text parallel to the English translation.
"Content-wise, it interfaces the tales with insights from studies of religious, cognitive science, and narrative analysis, and explores the connection between what neuro-psychology says about the brain and what the abuwab tales are saying," Medina expounded.
The thinner book (85 pages) presents six tales focusing on the Ifugao's marriage, rice, death, property, illness and hunting rituals, and designed to introduce the tales to a wider public, especially the youth.
The tales are interspersed with watercolor drawings rendered by Romeo Jose Roseta III, a multi-awarded Baguio artist and student.
In his introduction, Medina acknowledged the painstaking work of the late C.I.C.M. missionary Frans Lambrecht in recording the tales with the help of Mungkolnan, a mumbaki (shaman) in Mayoyao, Ifugao.
"An abuwab tale is recited by the mumbaki during the sacrifice," Medina explains. "It is believed to possess magic that enables one to obtain what is asked for in prayers."
The tales' main characters are Ifugao couple Bugan and Wigan of Ducligan "who represent the husband and the wife for whom the rites are performed."
Copies of the two books are also available at the Baguio-Mt. Provinces Museum, Café by the Ruins, Cid Educational Supply, Geo Café, Jet Book Store, Maryknoll Sanctuary, Pwesto, SLU-PICRO, and Tribes Café. RD
(May 23, 2003 issue)
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