Uwang Ahadas
Uwang Ahadas is a Filipino folk musician of the Yakan people who is a recipient of the National Living Treasures Award.[1]
Uwang Ahadas | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 15, 1945 |
| Origin | Lamitan, Basilan, Philippines |
| Genres | Folk |
| Instruments |
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Background
Uwang Ahadas was born on February 16, 1945.[2] He went near blind when he was five years old. Ahadas along with his siblings 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[3] an instrument traditionally played by Yakan men.[1]
By age 20, Ahadas had already mastered the kwintangan which is considered as the most important Yakan musical instrument despite the instrument traditionally reserved for women.[1] He can also play the tuntungan.[4]
He 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.[3]
Ahadas was recognized as a National Living Treasure by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in the year 2000.[5]
References
- Babiera, Lester (9 July 2012). "Lamitan in Basilan holds festival to celebrate cultural harmony". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
- "Official Calendar". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
- de la Paz, Salve (5 May 2015). "National Living Treasures: Uwang Ahadas". National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
- "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.
- Maranan, Ed (28 February 2011). "Songs and music from the heartland". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 29 November 2017.