Coffeehouse #127: Kinding Sindaw

The dances of Kinding Sindaw originate from the royal court dances of the Maranao Sultanate- a repertory of the sacred, classic, and secular combining grace and vigor, dances that directly reflect their rich natural environment. Dancers imitate the graceful movements of birds, fish, butterflies, rivers, streams, and ocean trekking boats, celebrate fertility in vigorous choreography, sway delicately using colorful fans and scarves, and dramatically inspire through the martial art of silat.

Moderator: Anne Beryl Corotan Naguit, nurse, political activist, labor union organizer, songwriter, from the Mandaya indigenous tribe

ABOUT KINDING SINDAW

The dances of Kinding Sindaw originate from the royal court dances of the Maranao Sultanate- a repertory of the sacred, classic, and secular combining grace and vigor, dances that directly reflect their rich natural environment. Dancers imitate the graceful movements of birds, fish, butterflies, rivers, streams, and ocean trekking boats, celebrate fertility in vigorous choreography, sway delicately using colorful fans and scarves, and dramatically inspire through the martial art of silat.

Kinding Sindaw exists to assert, preserve, reclaim, and re-create the traditions of dance, music, martial arts, storytelling, and orature of the indigenous peoples of the Philippines. The performing arts of the Philippines is a multi-layered complex resulting from a millennium of various cultural and religious influences, and colonization. The Philippine Archipelago lies at the end of a chain of Southeast Asian islands that share many traits of Malay culture and peoples. In the Philippines there are 62 recognized cultural and linguistic groups among these the Maranao tribe of the south from where Potri Ranka Manis hails. From the 4th to the 10th centuries the Hindu culture pervaded Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma, and extended to the Philippines, through the Indian Shri Vidyayah empire. Through trade, Islamic culture and religion entered the southern Philippines during the 14th Century, and along with significant remnants of Hindu Culture still thrives to this day despite Spanish colonization from the 16th century to the late 19th century, American colonization from 1898 to 1941, and the Japanese invasion during World War II.

ABOUT POTRI RANKA MANIS

Potri Ranka Manis Queano Nur is the Founder/Artistic Director and Tradition-Bearer of Kinding Sindaw, and a Storyteller). In July 23,2005 Potri was enthroned as Bai a Labi a Gaus sa Borocot by the representatives from the 17 Pagawidan a Ranao in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.

Born and raised in the Southern Philippines, she is a daughter of the late Sultan a Gaus of the Royale House of Borocot the 15th Pagawidan of the Pat Pengempong a Ranao. She also learned the traditions of the neighboring indigenous communities She was commissioned by PETA (Philippine Educational Theatrical Association) to write Lemlunay originally as a play. in 1983. An award-winning poet-playwright, she has published Sandstorm in Jeddah , a collection of poetry of her experiences in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Recent works include: Conceived, Directed and choreographed: Bembaran with Perang sa Bayang Intertwined© (2007/LaMaMa), Sultan Kudarat© (2005/LaMaMa), Parang Sabil©(2004/LaMaMa), Lemlunay© (2003/LaMaMa), Rajah Mangandiri© (2000/LaMaMa), Irimun O Banag©, Pandibulan (2010/LaMaMa) and Disappeared. She founded Panata and co-authored and performed the Oratoyo-Bells of Balanggiga and acted a lead role in Dis-oriented, a feature film of Francisco Aliwalas. She was in Draupadi directed by Ellen Stewart, La Mama Great Jones Repertoire. She is a artist-teacher faculty of Lotus Fine Arts. She a practioner of Theater of the Oppressed and a producer and actor in Newyorkustan directed by Steven de Castro. Potri is an artist-activist who campaigns for self-determination of the Moro and indigenous people. She is a resident Artist of LaMaMa, Experimental Theater Club.

Potri is also a Board Certified Medical- Surgical Registered Nurse. As a Nurse –Educator, Critical Care , Holistic Nurse, she created the healing modality called Resilient Ancestral Nurturing Knowledge and Arts (R.A.N.K.A.®). She is a member of the Philippines Nurses Association of New York, Founding Board of Director of Kalusugan Coalition, Board of Director of New York City Community Health Network.

Potri is a recipient of the following awards and recognition: Gawad Award-Cultural Center of the Philippines, Carlos Bulosan award of Migrante Philippines for poetry, Association of Women Consul of New York, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall recognition, and Fansclub recognition of Excellence. Kinding Sindaw, the organization she founded received 2010 Philippine Presidential Banaag Award.

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