ALMOST SONGS OF THE BAKUNAWA
sonic rituals for decolonizing the ancestral voice
A series of ritual performances summoning the Bakunawa—the mythological moon-eating-serpent of precolonial Philippines.
Coaxial Arts Foundation; Los Angeles, CA; May 2020
"Latík," is a ritual of healing and reclamation, in which I pour the coconut milk over the red cloth and offer it up to my Ancestors. The latík was, and always will be, ours.
It is a response to a Filipino folk dance called "Maglalatík" that I found in my Grandmother’s book of Filipino Folk Dances. Originally, this dance portrayed the battle between the Moros and the Christians over latík (the residue left after the coconut milk has been boiled). In the dance, the Moros wear red, and the Christians wear blue. Both sides wear coconut shells on their body to produce intricate percussive patterns. The legend goes that the Moros won the battle, although the Christians ultimately colonized the Philippines for over 300 years, forcibly converting the mass majority of the population to Catholicism.
The blue screen footage is video I shot of my Mother’s garden in Pasadena, CA. It serves as portal to the Philippines. Both of my parents stand in the garden, waving.
"Latík: Songs for my Grandmother”
CREDITS
Micaela Tobin—Vocals
Mark Golamco—Harp arrangement
Maria Maea—hand-woven the palm basket
Marilee Tobin—Piña cloth mask
Adela-María Pagán—wig fabrication
Chloe Scallion—A/V engineer and editing (Co-edited by Micaela Tobin)
Carmina Escobar—Co-production and assistance
"Saraw: Songs for Apolaki”