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mambayu

mambáyu with stress marks

Kalinga rice-pounding song

noun mam-BA-yu Native origin Rare

Usage Note

Mambayu is a traditional work song of the Kalinga people of the Cordillera highlands, performed by women while pounding rice in a communal mortar. Known for its hypnotic rhythm and call-and-response structure, the mambayu has been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Examples

Beginner

" Maganda ang tugtog ng mambayu. "

Natural Translation

The rice-pounding song sounds beautiful.

Literal Translation

Beautiful the sound of-the mambayu.

Intermediate

" Kinanta nila ang mambayu. "

Natural Translation

They sang the rice-pounding song.

Literal Translation

Sang they the rice-pounding song.

Advanced

" Habang nagbabayo sila ng palay, inaawit ng mga babaeng Kalinga ang mambayu na may ritmong sumasabay sa bawat hampas ng halo. "

Natural Translation

While they pound the rice, the Kalinga women sing the rice-pounding song with a rhythm that matches every strike of the pestle.

Literal Translation

While pounding they of rice, sung by the women Kalinga the mambayu that with rhythm matching to every strike of pestle.

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