am sharing the abstract and introduction of the paper i read at the Pambansang Kumperensya sa Panitikan on Nobyembre 3, 2000,
Abstract
This paper presents the various Tausug Tarasul from both published and unpublished forms. It also seeks to understand the messages depicted in the Tarasul. How Hadis and Tarasul differ based on the development of its forms and use of language. How Tarasul becomes a reflection of life and what has been its impact on the people. How the milieu plays an important role in the development of the Tarasul. How the modern world have influenced the messages imparted in the modern Tarasul. How the rebels show their sentiments in their Tarasul; and the Hadis Tarasul that was once a homilitic song evolved into poems on everyday life and eventually became a poetry of lament and unfulfilled dreams and hopes
This paper also seeks to challenge the scholars to conduct further studies and in depth analysis of our Tausug Tarasul which would soon become endangered amidst the violence and diverse interest of our local leaders.
As the Tarasul of today laments of what has been happening on their once beautiful and bountiful land, today, I am here to share my sentiments about the fast disappearing beautiful literary world of the Tausug.
For someone who was born and raised in Jolo, one would truly be able to appreciate the beauty of the cultural richness of the Tausugs. Or was it because I have both parents who despite their Catholic faith have still inculcated in us the wonderful culture of the Tausugs.
Sulu, a group of islands located between Mindanao and Borneo, was once an abundant place where there is continuous rainfall, exotic tropical fruits that wildly grew, fish were plentiful Sulu is known as Lupah Sug or Land of the Current, Thus, Tausug means people of the current.
Sulu has survived several invasions where its sultanate had steadfastly preserved its culture for centuries. However, today globalization now ultimately begins to impede the minds of the youth from appreciating their own culture. The youths of today in Jolo would never be able or simply refuse to understand what their forebears have fought for, that is the preservation of their culture. Now, they have allowed their very own culture to soon die not under the hands of foreign invaders; but also by the invasion of their very own kin who for selfish interest have forgotten the needs of their innermost being, the food of their soul which happens to teach them values in the form of Hadis and Tarasul. Tarasul is a poetry which has been with them for centuries, a poetry that pierces one’s soul. A poetry that attempts to express our innermost thoughts. Songs that make us reflect on what life has given us, on how we can gratefully reciprocate the gifts of nature. Songs that would keep us alive, instead of arguments that would make us die a thousand deaths because of foreign invasion, conflict of interests that have destroyed our beautiful Lupah Sug.
No comments:
Post a Comment