Join us on a fascinating journey through Filipino culture as we delve into the captivating world of Dayang Dayang. Before the era of viral dance crazes like Gangnam Style, the Philippines had its own cultural gem in the form of this enchanting dance. In this article, we’ll unravel the origins, evolution, and significance of Dayang Dayang, shedding light on its rich heritage and enduring legacy within Filipino culture. Let’s learn and explore this adventure together as we uncover the magic of Dayang Dayang and its profound impact on the cultural landscape of the Philippines.
Finding Out Where It Comes From: The Story of Dayang Dayang
So, turns out, Dayang Dayang isn’t from a Malay origin like many thought. It’s actually Filipino! In Filipino, “Dayang Dayang” means something like “Princess of the first Degree.”
Although the founder of the Sultanate is allegedly an Arab Malay (this has yet to be proven due to lack of documented evidences; there are two versions of the founding of the Sulu Sultanate), the Sultans of Sulu from the 16th down to the 20th century are all Moro’s of the Philippines and not Malays.
How the Dance Changed Over Time: From Pakiring to Dayang Dayang
In places like Mindanao, Sulu, and Sabah, folks do a dance called Pakiring. It’s all about moving your hips gracefully. Originally, they danced to a song called Kiriring Pakiriring. But then, it was re-recorded by an unknown artist as “Dayang Dayang,” with some of the lyrics have been changed and is considered by many to be gibberish since the altered words had no meaning and were not related to any dialect or language.
Untangling the Mystery: Where Did Dayang Dayang Come From?
Even though Dayang Dayang has been around for a while, we’re not exactly sure who made it famous. And when the song got re-recorded, the lyrics changed too, making it a bit confusing. Some say it might be about a lady named Hadji Dayang Dayang Piandao, but we’re not certain. Hadji Dayang Dayang Piandao is the first lady of Sulu, since the word dalay-dalay was a title given only to the daughters of the Sultan.
The 90’s version of the song is widely known across the Philippines rather than the original (The artist who recorded the song remains a mystery). The song also had versions in different languages in the other regions in the Philippines.
Celebrating Dayang Dayang Everywhere
People all over the Philippines love Dayang Dayang. They dance to it and sing along, even though it’s changed a bit from the original. It’s become a part of Filipino culture, with different versions in different parts of the country.
Why Dayang Dayang Matters
Dayang Dayang isn’t just a dance. It’s a piece of our Filipino identity. By keeping it alive, we keep our traditions alive too, connecting our past to our future.