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Ambahan: Courtship

Many pages of sweet-flowing romances have been written about courtship, but the Mangyans create their own by using the examples of the budding and flowering plants and trees around them.

Ambahan 38
Hanunuo-Mangyan English Filipino
Handwritten version of ambahan 38

The bamboo in Marigit
That I saw at first approach
Was just sprouting and still small.
When I saw it yesterday,
It was standing firm and thick
Ready now to build a floor.

Kawayan sa Marigit
Pag tanaw ko, palapit
Labong pa siyang kay liit
Nang daanan ko pabalik
Siksikan mga tinik
Mainam nang pang-sahig!
Ambahan 39
Hanunuo-Mangyan English Filipino
Handwritten version of ambahan 39

The palm bordering my field
Back when it was very small
My attention did not call.
But now that it's fully-grown
and has shed its dried-up leaves,
I will harvest it so fresh
and weave me a basket fair.
That I can bring everywhere.

Buli sa may kaingin
Noong s'ya pa'y musmusin
Hindi ko pinapansin
Nang gumulang, pagsapit
Tanggi ko ang lumain
Sariwa kong kukunin
Bayong kong lalalain
Lagi kong sasakbitin!

A boy has his way of convincing a girl of his good intentions and intimate love. He is willing to sacrifice anything for his beloved.

Ambahan 68
Hanunuo-Mangyan English Filipino
Handwritten version of ambahan 68

My sweetheart, my love so dear,
when I left, in coming here,
coming from my house and yard;
all the rice that I have stored,
I have left it there behind,
because I hope here to find
one more valued than my rice!
One to be my partner nice
to the water, to the field,
a companion on my trips,
and one who will share my sleep!

O liyag, aking hirang
Kanina nang lumisan
Galing sa 'king dingdingan
Palay na inanihan
Akin lang iniwanan
Hinangad kong katuwang
Di basta palay lamang
Sa lakad sa ilog man
Maging sa kaparangan
Kaakbay ko saan man
Kaabay sa higaan!