SUA-KU-SUA

HISTORY
1. The dependence of the Tausug on the Pomelo tree and its fruits have created a bond
between the two which prompted the Tausog of Jolo, Sulu to make a dance honoring the
latter. The Sua-Ku-Sua or “my Pomelo tree” is a dance that likens the sua’s gentle leaves,
attractive fruits, its fragrance and slender body to that of a lady. Performed by couples, the
Sua-Ku-Sua dancers make use of two white fans that are swayed, as if to signify the
swaying of the leaves of the sua tree while singing along with the music in their rice powder-
covered faces.
2. Background Aside from being known as fierce warriors, the Tausug of Jolo, Sulu are
also remarkable as seafarers and farmers. In Sulu, extensive orchards are planted with
coconut and Pomelo and the field with stables like rice and root crops. Pomelo fruit serve as
an important source of income of the people of Sulu. Their dependence on Pomelo fruits for
their livelihood inspired them to create Sua- Ku- Sua dance.
3. The movements of the dance compare sua’s gentle leaves, slender branches, attractive
fruits, and fragrant flowers to a lady. During the performance, the couples sing while flapping
two white fans which represent the leaves rustling in the wind. The performers, especially
women, dance with faces thickly covered with finely ground rice powder. Their eyebrows
and sideburns are enhanced with soot for aesthetic purposes.
4. Movements/ Steps Particular to Dance Creative Imagery: Fans transform into tiny sails,
face mirrors, butterflies, shields, and leaves. Sua-Ku- Sua’s traditional steps are with
Chinese influence.
DANCE COSTUME
5. Dance Properties Costume: • Female Top (Barawasi): Traditional loose blouse, long
sleeves with deep, plunging key hole neckline; extra panels attached to the right and left
chest decorated with many tiny brass buttons. Material: Printed or plain Chinese silk or
cotton.
6. Pants (Sawal or Kantiu): Loose Chinese pants with a 10 inch soft white band (coco
curdo) attached to a wide waist. To tuck the pants in, the white band is overlapped in front ,
one side on top of the other and rolled out to form a tight belt. Material: Chinese silk or
any silky material preferably in navy blue, sunshine yellow, grass green, red, or orange
colors.
7. Shoulder Band (Siyag): A separate wrap- around malong of rich material strung over the
right shoulder crossing the chest and hanging on the left side.
8. Headpiece: There are three choices: 1. Gold or brass filigree called tusuk 2. Paper bills
pasted on slender sticks; 3. Pasteboard cut-outs in the front tip 8- 10 inches high , similar to
Chinese crowns covered with gold foil. 11. Accessories: Gold or imitation gold earrings,
necklace, bracelets, and brooches. 12. Suggested Footwear : Dancers are barefoot.
9. Male Top (Bajo): Short waist collarless shirt; open front with the right panel overlapping
the left, studded with many tiny brass buttons and is not intended to close the front but used
as an additional shirt decoration. The shirt is allowed to drop on the right side Material:
Printed or plain Chinese silk or cotton.
10. Pants (Sawal or Kantiu): Similar to the pants of females but in darker colors and bolder
design.
11. Accessories: Money belt, Sarok hat, Pis siyabit (rectangular hand-woven scarf tied on
the head or hung loosely over one shoulder) , Kris (wavy knife) or barong (leaf- knife)
12. Footwear: Dancers are barefoot

DANCE STEPS
13. Music • 2/4 and 4/4; composed of three parts- A, B, . Gabbang bamboo xylophone are
shaped- like a small boat. Bamboo slats are thinned and cut to graduated sizes to produce
three octaves of pentatonic scale. 18. Count: One, two to a measure in 2/4 time signature; 1,
2, 3, 4 to a measure in 4/4 time signature.