From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Biag ni Lam-ang (
English:
"The Life of Lam-ang") is an
epic poem of the
Ilokano people from the
Ilocos region of the
Philippines. Recited and written in its original
Iloko, the poem is believed to be a composite work of various poets who passed it on through the generations, and was first transcribed around 1640 by a blind Ilokano
bard named
Pedro Bucaneg.
[edit] Initial Plot
Lam-ang was an extraordinary being, manifesting in his early years when he started to speak, thus enabling him to choose his own name. His adventure began when his father, Don Juan, set out for a battle but never returned. At barely nine months, he went to search for Don Juan in the highlands where the latter was said to have gone. Aware that her child was a blessed, exceptional creature, his mother Namongan allowed him to go. Lam-ang then went off to search for his father, leaving his grieving mother behind.
When Lam-ang reached the area his father purportedly disappeared to, he was enraged upon seeing Don Juan’s severed head atop of a bamboo pole that was planted in the ground; the scene came to him in a dream prior to reaching that place. Lam-ang then demanded to know the reason as to why that had happened to his father, but did not receive an answer from the locals. Instead, the chieftain of the village demanded that he leave under pain of suffering the same fate as his father. Lam-ang defied the caveat and bravely fought with the chieftain and his tribesmen. The hero emerged victorious from the battle with little effort, finally avenging his murdered father.
[edit] Comedic elements
Biag ni Lam-ang, although dominated by action and tragedy, nonetheless contained some comedic points. An example would be the scene where as Lam-ang was going home, he passed by a river (identified by some with the
Amburayan River, the biggest river in Ilocos) and then decided to have a dip. The dirt and blood that came off from his body caused the death of the river's fish, crabs, and shrimp. As he was bathing, some of the maidens who were present at the river gladly attended to him.
[edit] Marriage
Lam-ang, upon arriving home, decided to court his love interest, Ines Kannoyan. Despite his mother’s disapproval, he followed his heart and set off again on another journey to his love. He faced one of Ines’ suitors and various monsters, but again was able to vanquish them with ease. Aiding him were his magical pets, a cat, dog, and a rooster. The bird flapped its wings and a house toppled over. This feat amazed everybody present, especially Ines. Then, Lam-ang’s dog barked and the house rose up. Being invited to the lunch of the family of Ines, Lam-ang impressed Ines’ parents with his wealth and upon returning he gave the family two golden ships. Their nuptials were celebrated with a lot of feasting.
[edit] Death and subsequent rebirth
Even after his death, Lam-ang's bones were recovered and he was resurrected with the help of his magical pet. Ines was ordered by the rooster to wrap the bones with her
tapis while the hen flapped its wings and the dog was growling. In an instant, Lam-ang was happily reunited with his wife.
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