Philippine Literature During

Pre-colonial Period
Magtanim ay Di Biro
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• Philippine Literature is mainly oral

• Secondary written

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1. Mythological Age
« This is the period when our ancestors told stories about
the creation of human beings and the world, natural phenomena,
and deities and spirits.
2. Heroic Age
« In this period, the characters in stories evolved.
Ordinary mortals and cultural heroes became the chief subject
matter in this period.
« Epics became a popular genre. They were chanted
during important events in the community to inspire people.
These were also performed to remind the community of their
ideals and values.
3. Folktales
« Philippine folktales are traditional stories that had
humans, animals, and even plants as characters. These are
fictional tales that have been modified through successive
retellings before they were finally recorded and written down.
BAYBAYIN

KAVI LANGUAGE
The following are the conventions of oral
literature:

1. Common experiences of the community as

subject matter
2. Communal authorship
3. Formulaic repetitions
4. Stereotyping of characters
5. Regular rhythmic and musical devices
 are repetitive and sonorous
and hav a playful melody. They may be
about love and courtship, a long day’s
work, or may be songs sung at a funeral
 Buto’t balat,
lumilipad.

Kaaway ni bantay,
May siyam na buhay
 is an indirect
presentation of an object, by stating
characteristics features or peculiarities, enough to
call it to mind without naming it.
1. Pedro hides but you can see his head.
2. I can’t see it in the light but I can see it in
the dark.
3. If you want me to last longer, I must die.
4. When it was young, it had a tail. When it
grew up, it had knees.
 Nasa Diyos ang
awa,
nasa tao ang gawa.
 are pithy
sayings that contain advice or state a
basic truth.

• They reflect folk wisdom as to how to

act and live, hence,
• They show the cultural values
 Ang gawa sa pagkabata
Dala hanggang sa pagtanda

Ano man ang gagawin

Makapitong iisipin

Magsisi ka man sa huli

Wala nang mangyayari
 “epikos”, which means a poetic
story. In literature, an epic is a
long narrative poem, which is
usually related to heroic deeds
of a person of an unusual
courage and unparalleled
bravery.
Directions: Together with the group mates, list
down riddles and your answers on a piece of
paper. When the riddle joust starts, a chosen
member will recite or ask the opponent group a
riddle in a Fliptop/rap style. The opponent group is
expected to answer within five (5) seconds.
Anyone from the group can coach the
representative to give the answer. There will
be five (5) rounds only so give it your best shot!
• a) How will you describe the content of early literature
in our country?
• b) How these literary works do reach us in present
time?%
• c) What are the common themes of the literary works
back then? Why?

Philippine Oral Lore:

Poetry
• a) Is oral tradition important in the history and culture
of the Filipinos?
• b) What do you think is the greatest contribution of
these oral lores in the making of our unique identity?
• c) Does the message of the orally transferred literature
from generation to another still applies in 21st Century
set up? How? Explain.

Philippine Oral Lore:

Poetry
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• Myths
• These are stories that make use of gods, goddesses, and
other fantastical creatures as characters. These became a
means for our ancestors to explain the occurrence of
supernatural events, the beginning of cultural traditions, and
the existence of mysteries. A myth may also attempt to
explain the origin of the world and of the people.
• • There are many versions of the creation of the world. One
of which is “The Creation Story” of the Tagalogs.

II. Philippine Folk Narratives

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• Legends
• •Believed to be historical but cannot be verified as true,
legends are stories handed down through generations. These
stories are often about famous persons or events.
• • These may tell of an encounter with marvelous creatures,
which the folks still believe in: fairies, ghosts, water spirits,
the devil, and the like.
• Folktales

II. Philippine Folk Narratives

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• Folktales
• • Folktales are prose narratives usually told to amuse or
entertain. These are also instructional in nature, dealing with
events set in an indefinite time and space.
• • Examples of folktales are animal tales or fables and
magical tales such as “The Monkey and the Turtle” (Bilaan)
and “The Story of the Orphan Girl” (Subanon).

II. Philippine Folk Narratives

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