Tinikling: Dodging bamboo traps while performing the Filipino folk dance
Tinikling is a national folk dance of the Philippines where artists weave through bamboo poles that are clapped together, making sure their feet don’t get trapped.
An article from the Culture Trip says the dance’s name comes from the tikling bird and its ability to dodge bamboo traps set up by farmers in rice fields. Tinikling originated in the Visayas region of the Philippines during Spanish occupation. Farmers would set up traps to protect their fields, but the tikling bird would dodge the traps. Locals would imitate the bird’s movements with the dancers representing the animal and the bamboo sticks representing the traps.
Legend says the dance came from Spanish rule when Filipinos were punished for working too slow, according to the Insider. Filipinos were told to stand between two bamboo poles that would be clapped together, striking their feet. To escape the sticks, the natives would dodge the claps similar to the tikling bird.
Two bamboo poles about 12 feet long are needed to dance tinikling. Two people slap the poles together to the beat of a traditional Filipino folk song while the dancers take steps and hops as they weave through the sticks. Usually, dancers perform tinikling barefoot. The quick footwork from the dancers comes in contrast to their more poised upper body.
While dancing tinikling females typically wear a dress called Balintawak, a colourful dress with arched sleeves, or they might wear a Patadyong, a checkered loose skirt that’s paired with a thin blouse, according to the Culture Trip. Men will typically wear a Barong, which is a national outfit in the Philippines.
Tinikling is usually performed during special occasions like Filipino festivals, school or theatre performances. Some versions involve more poles and dancers who are arranged in cross-like patters. There’s also a new generation of dancers who replace traditional Filipino folk music with pop songs, sometimes incorporating hip hop grooves to the dance. YouTube videos show dancers performing tinikling to Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk featuring Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson’s They Don’t Care About Us, Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off and Saweetie’s My Type.
References
- “Tinikling: The National Dance of The Philippines with Bamboo Poles” by Ronica Valdeavilla for the Culture Trip.
- “What dance looks like in 20 countries around the world” by Naja Newell for Insider.
