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AMAEMAEYATOK: A MANOBO WOODPECKER DANCE
Prof. Chelou G. Loque
Meaning : Woodpecker
Place of Origin : Agusan del Sur
Ethno linguistic Group : Manobo
Classification : Mimetic Entertainment
Performers : One to any number of male dancers
Background/Context:
Amaemaeyatok (also called Inamoyatok and Tinambwatok) is a Manobo term for woodpecker. This kind of
bird is usually found in the forest of the Agusan provinces. The Manobos love to imitate its movement especially the pecking
on the bark of trees and the echoing sound created.
The Manobos believe that the parrot orders
the Amaemaeyatok to peck on the trees and to
build a nest for the former and in return one egg is given as reward. This egg is considered as the best food for the Amaemaeyatok.
This imitative dance is usually performed
for entertainment during the Kahimunan, a yearly
thanksgiving celebration of the Manobo tribe.
Movements Particular to the Dance:
1. Amaemaeyatok position –
Standing position, heels-raised. Arms closed at side with fingers pointing backward. Lips pointing as beck of the bird.
2. Maintok na Yaksu – two
small leaps with right foot leading .….….1M
3. Yakang-sibog – step-hop
R and L………………………...1M
Dance Properties:
Costume:
Male : Typical Manobo costumes. Long sleeved shirt and long pants using
the prescribed color (black, red white and yellow) designed with Suyam or Manobo embroidery.
Musical Accompaniment:
Rhythm:
Count: ah, and, ah; 1, ah, 2, ah, and, ah. 1, and, 2, and
Formation: Any desired formation
Instrument Used: 1. Agong – a musical instrument made of brass
2. Gimbae – like a drum made of skin of a deer
ENTRANCE
Music: Rolling sound of the Agong
Face audience
Heels-raised, take 16 walking steps forward to any desired formation. Arms closed at side with fingers pointing
backward. Lips pointing as beck of the Amaemaeyatok.
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| Figure I |
a. With body slightly bent on right, take one Maintok na yaksu in place (1M), end up feet in 3rd position (3M). arms slowly moving sideward-upward (2M) and moving sideward-downward (2M)………………………..…………………...……………4M
b. Repeat (a) to the left………………………...………….……4M
X3
X2
X3
Figure II
a. With body slightly bent forward, take eight Yakang-sibog, R and L alternately moving counterclockwise. R arm raised forward while the left arm raised backward……………………………......8M
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| Figure III |
Boy 2 & 3: R shoulder towards center.
a. Both knees slightly bent in 3 rd position
of the feet. Tap R toes twice in every measure, with arms raised sideward (2M, bend trunk sideward R and move R arm slowly
downward at waist level (2M) ………………… …4M
b. Repeat a….………………………………………………...4M
Boy 1
a. R foot leading, take sixteen maintok na yaksu moving around boy 2 & 3. Body slightly bent forward R, hands on waist ……………..……8M
b. Join movement of Boy 2 & Boy3……….…………….…..8M
c. Boy 1 leading, Boy 2 & Boy 3 follows the movement of Boy 1 moving counterclockwise……..................…………………….………8M
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