SI AY - PO BAY U - PA - DÀN
K̃ Ỹ K̃ I 3 K̃ Ṽ

You, my friend, dearest of all,

MAY TA - KIP MA - DI KAY - WAN
X W P X V P W

forests vast keep us apart.

NO KANG TI - NA - GIN - DU - MAN
H P ŵ H ū č k

thinking of you makes me sad;

NO KANG TI - NA - GIN - DU - MAN
H P ŵ H ū č k̃

But thinking of you with love;

MAY U - LANG MA - DI KAG - NAN
K Y K Œ V P H

rivers deep are in between,

GA SI - YON DI SA AD - NGAN
K Y K Œ V K̃ V K̃

as if you are here nearby

GA PAG - TANG - DA - YON DI - MAN
K W K̃ W K̃

Standing, sitting at my side.

This is an example of the seven syllable AMBAHAN poetry of the Hanuoo-Mangyans of Mindoro island, Central Philippines.

When the Spaniards arrived in 16th century Philippines they were surprised to find the inhabitants reading and writing in this exotic Asian script. It is a syllabic writing derived from ancient Brahmin script that originated in India some 2500 years ago. Although it has gradually disappeared it is still used by the Mangyans for their poetry. It is either engraved on bamboo or embroidered on cloth.

cf. TREASURE OF A MINORITY

Anton Postma, Mla. 1972

CM

ANT.329137