SINGKIL

Singkl (or Sayaw sa Kasingkil) is a famous Philippine dance of the Maguindanao, but was popularized by the Maranao people of Lake Lanao, and later the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company.

History
This dance takes its name from the bells worn on the ankles of the Muslim princess. Perhaps one of the oldest of truly Filipino dances, the Singkil recounts the epic legend of the "Darangen" of the Maranao people of Mindanao. This epic, written sometime in the 14th century, tells the fateful story of Princess Gandingan, who was caught in the middle of a forest during an earthquake caused by the diwatas, or fairies of the forest. The crisscrossed bamboo poles represent the trees that were falling, which she gracefully avoids. Her slave loyally accompanies her throughout her ordeal. Finally, she is saved by the prince.

Dancers skillfully manipulate apir, or fans which represent the winds that prove to be auspicious. Royal princesses to this day in the Sulu Archipelago are required to learn this most difficult and noble dance. There are other versions of Singkil. Perhaps the version more widely performed by dance companies is the "Garden Singkil." The story goes that the princess goes into her garden, accompanied by her slave, and plays with the butterflies, which are represented by the fan dancers. The movements of the fans supposedly represent those of the butterflies, as opposed to the diwatas. In another popular version, the prince uses a scarf instead of a sword

Adaptation
Bayanihan
When the Bayanihan Dance Company began performing the Singkl, the traditional dance was adapted to convey Western aesthetics. The Bayanihan portrayal, branded as the Princess Dance or the Royal Maranao Fan Dance, became so popular that it is often mistaken for the authentic version of the dance.

Further adaptation divided the dance into 4 movements: First movement- Asik, where the slave with umbrella is introduced. Second movement- entrance of Putri Gandingan, the entourage of female fan (sometimes scarves) dancers, and the Prince. Third movement- Patay, which is a slow section, and is a structural dance convention often found in Western performances. Fourth movement- the climax in which all dancers dance to the crescendo of music.

SINGKIL DANCE STEP

1. Start the Singkil dance by using hopping and stepping patterns. Climb onto a designated set of bamboos being held horizontally by two men. Continue hopping and stepping patterns on the bamboo to move around while making body and hand movements. 2. Enter making slow point steps while a fan is in each hand. Using the wrists, move the fan in a variety of ways, including up and down movements and swirling movements to tell a story.

3. Enter and dance to the center of the stage with a fan in both hands and moving your hips and arms. In the center, dance in a stationary position. Move only the hips and arms. Use the fan in both hands to make swirls along the body while continually dancing. The men will begin clicking the bamboos; move along the bamboos, avoiding any of the clicking. Continue this when the male dancer comes out to end the courting aspect of the dance.

SINGKIL COSTUMES

SINGKIL PRINCESS

SINGKIL PRINCE

Props
Umbrella

Fan

Bamboo