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THE HUDHUD IS NOT a ritual-associated The munhaw-e, usually a woman, sets the
chant. It is actually a manner of chanting tone and tempo of a Hudhud story with a long
stories. The epic is chanted by a group, usually hum. Then she begins the introductory lines of
composed of women, only on four occasions: the story. The rest of the chorus (munhudhud)
while harvesting rice, weeding the fields, during take up the lead at a cued moment and chant
wakes and re-burials where the bones of the the choral parts. They stop at an appropriate
dead are honored. moment to allow the munhaw-e to resume the
narrative part of the next lines. The munhaw-
There are at least two hundred Hudhud es part contains the story, while that of the
narratives and as many variations depending munhudhud are only repetitions or replications
on the munhaw-e (lead chanter). Chanting of syllables, words or phrases from the lines
can take many hours for single sessions. The of the munhaw-e. Usually, only adult women
predominant theme is Ifugao wealth, heroism, perform this chant, although occasionally, there
love and marriage. It usually ends with the male are men who lead or join the chorus. Children
protagonists marrying each others sisters. who know the particular narrative join in too.
The origin of the Hudhud is unknown, The Hudhud is an integral part of the
although tradition holds that it originated in the cultural traditions of the Ifugao. It survived
old settlement of Kiangan, Ifugao province. to the present day in spite of the introduction
But it is certain that it was handed down by the of Christianity among the Ifugao because it is
Ifugao forebears. One of the oldest versions not associated with indigenous ritual. It serves
is said to have been ascribed on the Rock of as one of the organizing principles that bind
Pumbakhayon which may be found in the Ifugao society and gives the people a specific
Ambabag area in Kiangan. character and identity.
Cecilia V. Picache (Hungduan, 2013)
JTP
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