Textual Analysis of Lageng's Indigenous Songs

Songs, accordingly, are considered as another platform of communication, wherein a linkage between the composer to the heeder happens and the lyrics become the instrument that conveys the message. As emphasized by Dallin (2004), “ music (or song) is composed of two elements; the sounds, and the lyrics”. Although the two elements are interconnected however they are treated differently in an analysis.

In a song, lyrics are said to be the core element that makes the piece more effective. As stated, “lyrics are often easier to obtain and process than audio data..” (Braumann and Kluter, 2002; Brainbridge et al., 2003). Also, listeners who don’t have much music theory background, rely mostly on the written text (lyrics) to interpret the message of the song.

Dallin (2004) further mentions that “lyrics are written as a form of interaction between the writer and the listener, most of the time they carry a message with the purpose of motivating the listeners… such purpose is embedded in the cultural context of these people…”. Lyrics is the carrier of the message and oftentimes gives the identity of the songs. When lyrics are identified, it infers the background or the origin of the song (from where it came from, and who wrote it).

A song may differ in what kind of message the writer wants to imply. If they want to convey a message about love, they write a love song. If they want to give praise to the Lord, they write gospel songs. In other words, “lyrics embodies the message of the song” (Firduas, 2013). It is also true to the cultural or indigenous song. Indigenous (cultural) songs can convey the cultural identities and historical parentage of a certain indigenous group or even the diachronic background of a certain place by describing it in the song’s lyrics. According to Milroy (2001), “indigenous music is a voice that crosses boundaries, it is the true voice of the country because it is linked to the land, it enriches the nation and shows the nation’s true identity”.

As mention, the indigenous song of a certain place reflects the lifestyles and identities of its people. Thus, analyzing indigenous song will help the member of the cultural group to reminisce their cultural belongingness to express their indigenous heritage - from the people living from the past, in present and until to the future.

This study will delve into the cultural distinction of Bukidnon by analyzing the text styles of the different indigenous song present in Lageng. According to Balane (2013), the Lageng is a collection of fourteen(14) traditional songs from Bukidnon’s Seven hill tribes. The word “Lageng” is a binukid term that means “voice”. The album comprises the compositions and performance of Waway Saway from Talaandig with his three songs; “Inay Bilun”, “Dilig”, and “Kulaman”, Michael Ysalina’s “Banug Ha Aglayang-layang” and “Gali” from Higaonon, Louella Nacua also from Higaonon with her songs “Balagon”, “Ag Kabubuhat Do’y Bubungan”, “Tribu Ko, Tribu Mo”. The album also catered the performance of “Kahilawan Binuwan”, “Tumandok Ta Dini Bukidnon”, “Panimbalay Hu Bata Buwa Buwa”, and “Sae-Ha Bata” by a chieftain’s daughter from Talakag, Jewel Yen Pocol, and “Panampulot” of Madelyn Palasol and Estrella Venus which are both member of Bukidnon Council of Baes and Tribal Women. The last track of the album is performed by the collaboration of Ysalina M., Pocol J., and Nacua L. which are all member of BSU Chorale with their song entitled “Kuku Tangkugo”.

As mention by Johnny Cabreira(2013) in his interview in MindaNews with Walter I. Balane that the album is the voice of indigent people which cultivate their “culture transcending time and the advancement of modern civilization echoing the spirit of the Bukidnon people”. Unfortunately, today’s generation prefers listening to song from other culture or worst, another country. They are more hooked up with songs that describe lustful or blasphemous lyrics than those songs that represents their indigenous heritage.

One reason why most of this generation prefer modern music is because of the language barrier, most of indigenious song are written in Binukid. Hence, the people find it difficult to understand the meaning of the song. In this study, the researcher will attempt to discover the meaning of the song by analyzing its text or lyrics. The Lageng is one of the cultural artifacts that can best describe and reflect the Bukidnon people, and also the best instrument to be used in this study.

In this study, the researcher will unfold the essence of the different indigenous song from Lageng through analyzing the written text or the lyrics. According to Frey et.al(1999), textual analysis is the method communication researchers use to describe and interpret the characteristics of a recorded or visual message. Furthermore, the purpose of the textual analysis is to describe the content, structure, and functions of the message contained in a text (Frey et.al ,1999).

As pointed out, textual analysis is not only text analyzing but rather its a researcher’s methodology for gathering data in understanding the ways of a certain member of various cultures and subcultures for knowing their sense and how they belong to the culture they dealt in. Hence, a textual analysis will provide ample information to researchers working on cultural studies, more specifically in sociological and philosophical studies. A textual analysis is a broad scope in analyzing a written data, it may comprise the structure, the length, the language styles etc..

In this study, the researcher will only focus on the language style specifically the figurative speeches and deixis used by the composer. A language style is the author’s way of composing the song and sometimes often refers to be the voiced identity of the composer. According to Sumardjo (1988), style is the way of language expression or power expression or both at the same time… power express the idea that language is a simile, metaphor, personification and paradox, irony, understatement, and an overstatement.

This implies that language style refers to the aesthetic of the composition by using figurative languages. A figurative language is a way of expressing thoughts through language so that the language looks imaginative (Keraf, 2010). In other words, using figurative speech is the author’s one way to develop the written text or the lyrics so that it will become more interesting and remarkable.

The use of deixis will also be cover in this study. According to Saeed (2009), deixis is a technical term (from classical Greek deiknym) means “to show” or “to point out”. He further discusses that deixis is a study to interpret the relationship of a situation with word, phrase, and features that are uttered in a sentence (Saeed, 2009). Analyzing deixis in the songs of Lageng, the researcher will be able to clarify the different characteristic of the indigent people as described in the song’s lyric.

This study is important not only to researchers but also to the people of Bukidnon since this will wade into the historical information of Bukidnon. This will also give greater importance to the culture of Bukidnon for it will discuss the traditional songs that qualify to represent Bukidnon. This study can be the anchor of future researchers who will dwell in excavating and finding historic or cultural anthropology by investigating cultural artifacts such as cultural songs.

The analysis will also obtain the meaning in the lyrics that upholds the traits, identities and cultural heritage of Bukidnon settlers. Indigenous heritage are sometimes neglected and compromised. In studying this indigenous songs, cultural affiliation and belongingness will strengthen. And cultural history will be remembered and restored. This is why there is a need to study this to shed light on the rich cultural tapestry of Bukidnon and preserve its indigenous heritage for generations to come. By delving into the textual intricacies of Lageng's indigenous songs, this study aims to bridge the gap between past traditions and modern sensibilities, fostering a deeper appreciation for the cultural identity and historical legacy of the Bukidnon people. Ultimately, through meticulous textual analysis and interpretation, this research endeavors to unveil the profound significance embedded within the lyrical compositions of Lageng, illuminating the diverse facets of Bukidnon's cultural narrative and reaffirming its enduring place in the cultural landscape of the Philippines.