Hudhud ni Aliguyon

"Hudhud ni Aliguyon" stands as a renowned epic originating from the Ifugao province, located on the island of Luzon within the Philippines. This epic serves as a comprehensive narrative, offering insights into the cultural and traditional facets intrinsic to the Ifugao community, alongside chronicling the heroic exploits of their revered figure, Aliguyon. Classified within the genre of "Hudhud di Ani," intended for recitation during the agricultural harvest season, this epic fulfills a multifaceted role characterized by three distinct functions.

Origin
Though the precise time when alim and the hudhud started to be chanted is not known, according to research the hudhud likely originated before the 7th century CE. A study by a scholar of the hudhud indicates that this might have pre-dated the construction of the rice terraces. The earliest dated terraces are found in Bunghalian municipality with a Carbon-14 determination of 610 AD., although the earliest human occupation of the municipality of Banaue is between 1545 and 825 BC. Both forms are virtual anthropological documents that orally record through time the changes that took place in Ifugao social organization, structure, and tradition. The infusion of modern elements in the text indicates the relative time of change. For instance, the mention of a gun in one of the stories suggests an influence that could only have come from the West, although the fact that the gun caused the conflagration of an entire village to indicate the idea of a gun was still a bit confused and was therefore still something novel.

Use
In general, the Hudhud of the Ifugao is chanted only on four occasions—harvesting of rice, weeding of rice, funeral wakes, and bone-washing rituals. Hudhud ni Aliguyon is specifically included in the genre called Hudhud di Page or Hudhud di Ani, meaning Hudhud for Harvest in the Fields.

Typically, the rendition of this chant finds expression through a female ensemble, presided over by a soloist, often a proficient vocalist who may have assumed the role voluntarily. The ensemble comprises approximately ten to twelve women, forming the chorus. It is noteworthy that the entire chant need not be committed to memory by the chorus members.

The lead singer, referred to as the "munhaw-e," initiates the performance by articulating the title of the chant. Subsequently, the assembled group, known as the "mun-hudhud" or "mun-abbuy," becomes actively engaged in the recitation. This involvement transpires upon the invocation of cue words strategically incorporated into the chant. These cue words serve to introduce elements such as character names, village references, geographical features, and familial connections within the narrative.

Structure: chants & episodes
The Hudhud comprises more than 200 chants, with each divided into 40 episodes. A complete recitation may last three to four days. The language of the stories abounds in figurative expressions and repetitions and employs metonymy, metaphor and onomatopoeia.

Plot Summary
In the village of Hannanga, a notable figure by the name of Aliguyon emerged. Born as the son of the village leader, Amtalao, and his spouse Dumulao, Aliguyon exhibited remarkable intelligence and an insatiable thirst for knowledge from a young age. His penchant for absorbing the narratives and teachings imparted by his father yielded a wealth of wisdom. Notably, he acquired proficiency in combat techniques and even familiarized himself with select incantations of magical significance.

Aliguyon's early manifestations of promise and leadership did not escape the notice of the villagers, including the younger generation who held him in awe. In his adolescent years, he embarked on a daring endeavor: a direct confrontation with the adversary of his father, Pangaiwan, hailing from the neighboring Daligdigan village. Remarkably, Pangaiwan chose not to engage Aliguyon himself but instead delegated the task to his formidable son, Pumbakhayon, whose prowess in warfare and magic rivaled that of Aliguyon.

The ensuing battle unfolded with breathtaking swiftness. Aliguyon, without hesitation, launched a spear towards Pumbakhayon, who, with an unflinching demeanor, evaded the projectile and seized it. Pumbakhayon promptly retaliated by returning the spear towards Aliguyon. This exchange continued unabated, with the two combatants alternately hurling spears at one another in a relentless bid to claim each other's life.

For an astonishing span of three years, the adversaries displayed an unyielding spirit, remaining impervious to fatigue and defeat. It was during this protracted struggle that Aliguyon and Pumbakhayon, bound by a mutual respect and admiration for each other's prowess, arrived at a profound realization. This newfound understanding marked the conclusion of their prolonged combat.

In a historic turn of events, Aliguyon and Pumbakhayon collaborated to forge a comprehensive peace treaty between the villages of Hannanga and Daligdigan. Their people received this accord with jubilation and unanimous agreement. As the tide of peace gradually permeated both settlements, prosperity blossomed. Aliguyon and Pumbakhayon, transcending their former rivalry, cultivated a steadfast friendship. Aliguyon, in due course, married Bugan, Pumbakhayon's younger sibling, while Pumbakhayon wed Aliguyon's sister, Aginaya, solidifying the bonds of unity between the two villages.

Exchange marriage
Hudhud ni Aliguyon, like some hudhuds, tackles the matrimonial aspects of the characters. An episode narrates that after a long fight between the two men, who are unable to defeat each other, the conflict was permanently resolved through exchange marriage among the families of the two warring protagonists. After gaining respect for each other's warring skills, the story ends with the hero's marriage of his former enemy's sister, and in exchange, the hero's sister is married to the hero's former enemy. Hudhud stories usually depict that the parents have only two children, a male and a female. The two men, after the fight, exchange sisters with a marriage alliance, such that a pair of brother and sister cross-marry to another pair of sister and brother who were unrelated to the first pair prior to the marriage.

This epic focuses on peacemaking and a heroic tradition where no blood is spilt. The celebration of the exchange marriage is a representation of the elimination of enmity, meaning that the next generation will no longer have these enemies.

Family solidarity
Family solidarity is also a theme expressed in the hudhud. The hudhud would start with a conflict of the fathers which will eventually be carried on to the children. The children have to avenge and continue to fight any enemy or outsider who made offences against the family.

Respect for parents and elders and prominence for women
Parents and elders were addressed properly, using terms such as Aman for father and Innan hi for mother. Also, the hero's mother specifically is given respect and prominence. It is evident in one part of the epic as the mother called to stop the fight between the two characters saying that Pumbakhayon must eat first.

Values of the Hudhud and importance
Values are the ideas and beliefs that matter to people. They are deep-rooted motivations of behaviour and attitude. They define what is important and become the basis of choices, decisions, and reactions. The DECS Values Education Framework pronounced that “values help an individual realize himself as a person in the community responsible for his growth as well as for that of his fellow human being and the development of society.” The Ifugao literature is rich in values as reflected in their songs, narratives, chants, and folktales. Using the DECS Revised Values Education Framework, a total of 896 values were found reflected in Hudhud ni Aliguyon, Hudhud ni Aliguyon and Bugan, and Hudhud ni Aliguyon and Dinoy-again. More specifically, there were 289 values reflected in Hudhud ni Aliguyon. These findings show that the Hudhud are rich in values reflective of the values of the Ifugaos.

There were 7 core values utilized in the study: The results of the core values as shown in the table strongly signifies that the Ifugaos are socially responsible in all aspects. This social responsibility connotes mutual love and respect, fidelity, responsible parenthood, concern for others, social justice, freedom, and equality. Ifugaos also have high regard for living. The predominant theme of the Hudhud stories is exemplifying romances praising Ifugao ideals of love, marriage and wealth.

Awards and recognitions

 * International Arirang Prize by the Republic of Korea (2001)
 * Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO (2001)
 * Natural Cultural Treasure (2001) by the National Museum of the Philippines