Sanghiyang

By Abbey Gross, Bea Ilacad, Gabs Ilagan, Daniela Jacinto, Jackie Keyser

and Gen See

History & Origins

WHAT?It is a ritual where in Spanish and Asian traditions were combined together invoking Christian saints and spirits of nature with chants and food offerings in asking good favors.These are invoked by the magsanghiyang in a metered chant, half-spoken and half-sung.It is often accompanied by Sayaw sa Apoy, where firewalkers dance.

FROM WHERE?

It is believed to have started in Naic as a Pagan rite long before the arrival of the Spaniards and the friars suppressed its observance. Then the people learned to incorporate some Catholic elements into the rituals and the majority of spirits invoked are Christian saints.

WHERE?Cavite, especially in the provinces of Alfonso and Indang

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?“Sanghiyang”= “Isa” (one) +“hiyang” (compatible)= compatible whole or “nagkakaisang kabuuan”

Purpose

- As an offering to Bathala for a bountiful harvest

- Rite to cure the sick- Thanksgiving for a recovery from

illness- Deliverance from death- For the evil spirits to go away- To celebrate a new house

WHY DO THEY DO IT?

Music

ASSDGHFGH

WHAT’S THE MUSIC?

Present Status

Today, "sanghiyang" is held for various reasons. A sanghiyang performed to celebrate a new house is called basang gilagid, while a sanghiyang conducted to cure the sick is called lawit.

HOW IS IT TODAY?

There used to be so many “magsasanghiyang” who can perform the ritual but many of them have already died and only a handful of their descendants inherited the capability to do the ritual, so it is still done but not as much as before.

IS IT STILL DONE?

Alfonso. (2007). In Local Philippines. Retrieved on February 12, 2011 from http://www.localphilippines.com/destinations/luzon/alfonso

Cavite. (n.d.). In Philippine Provincial Profile. Retrieved on February 12, 2011 from http://www.oocities.com/lppsec/pp/cavite.htm

Granda. (2009, December 11). Philippine Music During the Spanish Times. In Music Room Extension – Music 1. Retrieved on February 12, 2011 from http://freshiesgrandmusic.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/music1-2nd-trime-handout.pdf

Jetterr. (2008, September 5). Sanghiyang. In BlogSpot. Retrieved on Febrary 12, 2011 from http://jetterr.blogspot.com/2008/09/sanghiyang.html

Bibliography