This dance takes its name from the bells worn on the ankles of the Muslim princess. This epic, written sometime in the 14th century, tells the fateful story of Princess Gandingan, who was caught in the middle of a forest during an earthquake caused by the diwatas, or fairies of the forest. The criscrossed bamboo poles represent the trees that were falling, which she gracefully avoids. Her slave loyally accompanies her throughout her ordeal. Finally, she is saved by the prince.
Dancers skillfully manipulate apir, or fans which represent the winds that prove to be auspicious.
Royal princesses to this day in the Sulu Archipelago are required to learn this most difficult and noble dance. From Tawi-tawi comes this occupational dance, which vividly portrays the labors of catching tauti , or catfish. The first version is performed solo and depicts the trials of a lone fisherman attempting to catch the tauti. The second version has a principal dancer with two accompanying performers who assist in paddling the canoe and baiting. In both cases, the fishermen wrestle with the tauti en masse and ultimately get pricked by their poisonous spines.