Uwang_Ahadas

Uwang Ahadas

Uwang Ahadas

Filipino folk musician (1945–2022)

Uwang Ahadas[1] (February 15, 1945 – October 29, 2022) was a Filipino folk musician of the Yakan people who was a recipient of the National Living Treasures Award.[2]

Quick Facts Born, Origin ...

Background

Uwang Ahadas was born on February 15, 1945.[3] He went near blind when he was five years old. People in his community believed that this was due to retribution of nature spirits which lived in Bohe Libaken, a creek where Ahadas frequently bathed in. Ahadas along with his sibling musicians were taught how to play Yakan traditional instruments as children. He first learned how to play the gabbang, a wooden bamboo instrument similar to the xylophone then learned how to play the agung[4] an instrument traditionally played by Yakan men.[2]

By age 20, Ahadas had already mastered the kwintangan which is considered as the most important Yakan musical instrument despite the instrument being traditionally reserved for women.[2] He could also play the tuntungan.[5]

Ahadas taught his children how to play Yakan traditional instruments, including Darna who would later become a teacher of these traditions herself. Ahadas went on to promote these traditions outside his native town of Lamitan, Basilan.[4]

Ahadas was recognized as a National Living Treasure by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in the year 2000.[6] He died on October 29, 2022, at the age of 77.[7]

References

  1. [1]
    "GAMABA: Uwang Ahadas". National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  2. [2]
    Babiera, Lester (9 July 2012). "Lamitan in Basilan holds festival to celebrate cultural harmony". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  3. [3]
    "Official Calendar". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  4. [4]
    de la Paz, Salve (5 May 2015). "National Living Treasures: Uwang Ahadas". National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  5. [5]
    "Uwang Ahadas, National Living Treasure for Traditional Music". ICHAP. International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  6. [6]
    Maranan, Ed (28 February 2011). "Songs and music from the heartland". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  7. [7]
    "Passing of Manlilikha ng Bayan Uwang Ahadas". IYIL. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
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