DANCE LITERATURE
Dance
Sala ti mais
Meaning
Dance of the corn
Dance Culture
Lowland Christian
Place of Origin
Province of Isabela
Ethnolinguistic Group
Ilocano Ibanag
Classification
Occupational
Isabela earned Its name as the corn granary of the
Philippines, owing to the vast expanse planted to
com, extending to as far as the eyes can see.
Specializing in the big yellow variety, Isabela has
employed the greatest number of com farmers in
Cagayan Valley. Between planting and harvesting
the farmers return home to other chores. Harvest
time tums the entire cornfield into a big festival
ground.
Some days before the big harvest, long and
healthy ears of com are chosen and decoratively
set on a sunburst totem pole staked in the middle
of big clearing. It serves as the festivals’ center
ground. Tables and mats set with food and drinks
are arranged along the perimeter of the clearing
to which the revelers fill up. The field festival lasts
for several days.
Background/Content
The first day is always the best and well-attended,
boisterous, and merry. Wine makes singers sing
more and dancers dance more, Farmers who
come in costumes in the colors of corn – yellow,
green, and beige are delightful to behold. A
moderately-tailed siete cuchillos, a wide-sleeved
topper and a be-ribboned hat take a stunning
picture of a farmer-lass. Well-scrubbed, fresh
smelling young man looks outstanding in his
pinukpok shirt, pants, and hat.
As soon as the local rondalla strikes up the familiar
music of sala ti mais, many dash for a place in the
dance area. Holding two ears of corn each, the
farmers playfully depict everything that happens in
a cornfield. Assembly of the dance starts to
manifest as soon as circle, lines and serpentine
follow-the-leader formations and other floor
patterns emerge to picture the placement of
farmers working in the fields. For a finale, the partygoing farmers thankfully raise ears of corn in
reverence to the Great Corn Giver.