OVERVIEW

A VOICE FROM MANY RIVERS

Translated and Annotated by
FELICIA BRICHOUX
Summer Institute of Linguistics
Linguistic Society of the Philippines
Manila 2002
 

              Subanen means "river people, "or "people of the headwaters." In conversation, Subanen often identify a town or area by naming the river that flows there, and a distance place as "beside another river." may mean "place"-or even "home."

                In A Voice from Many Rivers, thirty Central Subanen writers and storytellers employ story, personal history, essay, speeches, poetry and song to portray life along the rivers of the Zamboanga Peninsula. They write and speak in a variety of genres, but with one voice: the voice of the Subanen way of life.

               The contributors present this with joy and enthusiasm, ardent in their desire to acquaint the world at large with Subanen customs, history and oral literature. They want to share their literary tradition with readers the world around, and to inform people far beyond their provinces and nation about the values Subanen Society is based upon. 

               Even more keenly, the authors and raconteurs have wanted to create this as an heirloom for Subanen sumpat menumpat, from generation to generation, far into the future.

               When Subanen wish to take special care of prize object, safekeeping it to use on a special occasion or to bequeath to their heirs, the place it inside a kaban, a wooden chest, plain or carved. Under the lid of a kaban, one might find a blouse embroidered by a favorite aunt, calling to mind the woman’s graceful dancing to the rhythm of gongs. One might find a machete sheath carved by a grandfather still mourned, creating in the mind's eye a picture of the old man sitting cross-legged on the floor as he carved. Or a woven hemp blanket stiff and uncomportable to sleep under but warm when the chill of a pre-dawn winds comes up through the slats of the floor. A blanket especially valued because of the bygone skill its weaving represents.

               The writings and recitations reveal Subanen life, sometimes explicitly but more often indirectly. The pieces connote, display, imply. Some cultural norms are stated; most are hidden between the lines. The focus is on day-to-day interactions, and the reader is most often informed of custom by example: how people talk to each other, how respect is shown to elders, how young people are instructed. 

               The text, some as old as Aesop and some composed especially for this volume, were recited, written, transcribed from tape recordings or dictated. They were collected between 1967 and 2000 as part of a linguistic and anthropological research conducted by the Summer Institute of Linguistics.

               I deeply appreciate all the Subanen storytellers, writers, cultural respondents and those who drafted and processed copyright documents. Thank you for your hard work, your patience and your gift of allowing me to work with you in this immensely pleasurable task.

               To all readers: I hope you will enjoy this journey upriver, discovering or rediscovering the patterns of the Subanen language, culture and literature.

               Subanen readers, may you experience again the warmth of stories you heard in the firelight as children. May you see again the well-loved faces and hear the high-pitched or gravelly voices of your elders (often unlettered but supremely literate), telling and retelling the simple, humorous, eloquent, familiar tales.

               Non-Subanen readers, may you also catch an occasional glimpse of life along the riverbanks. May your eyes fell the sting of smoke from cooking fires, and may you hear the hubbub of children playing beside the river, their laughter tumbling like water over stones. May you hear the deep, round tones of the gongs and the counter-rhythm of sticks tapping on a palm wood floor, creaking under dancer's feet.