Background

Awiyao and Lumnay most likely to belong to the Igorot people who inhabit the mountain areas
of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines. The Philippine islands were settled by various
migrants from Southeast Asia for centuries. These peoples built up a number of different cultures
and clan-based social structures on the many islands of the archipelago. In the 1500s, Spain
colonized the islands, spreading Christianity and the Spanish language. Following Spains loss in
the Spanish American war of 1898, the Philippines became a territory of the United States.
During World War II, the islands were occupied by the Japanese until gaining their independence
in 1945. The Igorot people maintained many of their traditional cultural practices through the late
19th century. Even today, dance and gangsa music form an important part of their celebrations.
View the videos below to get a sense of the gangsa sound and the Kalinga wedding dance
featured in Wedding Dance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Oj7sO3cqeQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJLamaUUuu8

Amador Daguio was born in the Ilocos province of the Philippines in 1912. He began writing
poetry in high school and published his first poem before he graduated. Throughout his career, he
taught at a number of schools in the Philippines and also worked as a lawyer, editor, reporter, and
public relations officer for the Filipino government. In his writing, Daguio seeks to establish a
pure Filipino voice, distinct from its colonizers. Even in English, Daguios writing is Filipino in
essence. In The Wedding Dance, he draws upon the culture of his ancestors to explore Filipino
traditions along with the universal themes of love, suffering, and societal expectations. Read
more information about Daguio here.

A Quick Synopsis of "The Wedding Dance"

"The Wedding Dance" by Amador Daguio, is a short story about a husband and wife, Awiyao and
Lumnay, who had been married for seven years. In spite of being in love with his wife, Awiyao
feels the need to marry again in order to have a son. At his second marriage celebration, Awiyao
goes to check on Lumnay, knowing she was upset. Awiyao thought the answer to Lumnay's
sorrow would be to have her join the other women during the wedding dance. Lumnay was in
fact at his wedding, but left. She could not stand the idea of her husband marrying another
woman because she could not give him children.

Essential Questions for "The Wedding Dance"

1. What are the expectations for men in Awiyaos culture? What about for women?
2. How does your culture influence your decisions? Does it affect your plans for your
future?
3. Is it true that love conquers all? When might this be untrue?
4. How important is having children to you? How important is it in your family? What
about in your culture?
5. What is your legacy?

Wedding Dance Lesson Plans, Student

Activities and Graphic Organizers
Plot Diagram | The Wedding Dance Summary
Lesson Plan Reference
Print Activity
Grade Level: 6-8
Difficulty Level: 1 (Introducing / Reinforcing)
Type of Assignment: Individual, Partner, or Group
Type of Activity: Plot Diagrams and Narrative Arcs
Common Core Standards:

[ELA-Literacy/RL/7/2] Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its

development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text

[ELA-Literacy/RL/7/3] Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact

(e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot)

[ELA-Literacy/RL/7/6] Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view
of different characters or narrators in a text

A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a
novel. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events
and help students develop greater understanding of literary structures.
Students can create a storyboard capturing the narrative arc in a novel with a six-cell storyboard
containing the major parts of the plot diagram. For each cell, have students create a scene that
follows the story in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling
Action, and Resolution.

( Read Lesson Plan Buy Poster Buy PDF )

Plot Diagram Example of "The Wedding Dance"

Exposition
The setting is a mountain village of the Philippines where Awiyao has been remarried.

Conflict
Awiyao has left his wife Lumnay, whom he loved very much. However, she couldnt give him a
child. He has now married Madulimay in hopes to have a son, who will continue his legacy. This
is something Awiyao expresses as important in his culture. However, Lumnay is upset because
she loves Awiyao and doesnt want this separation.

Rising Action
Outside, the villagers are dancing in celebration of the wedding. Awiyao leaves to try and
comfort Lumnay. He offers her many items of the life that they built together. Lumnay refuses
them and clings to Awiyao, wishing he would stay.

Climax
Awiyao finally leaves to re-join the wedding and Lumnay runs into the hills.

Falling Action
Lumnay sits on the side of the mountain overlooking the blazing fire and dancing women,
thinking about how her life has changed. She has a sense of desperation, isolation, and
worthlessness.

Resolution
The reader is left not knowing what will become of Lumnay.