Bayok Sa Kandatu: Stylistic and Content Analysis of Meranaw Poetic Chant

Abstract

Bayok is a spontaneous poetic chant that embodies the Meranaw oral tradition, cultural and social values. Bayok Sa Kandatu is recited at coronations and enthronements ceremonies for Sultan, Datu and Bae-a-Labi. It is held primarily for social entertainment, yet in grand festivities. The language in bayok consists of many layers of meaning. Hence, in this study, the researcher analyzed the bayok using stylistic and content analysis. This study seeks to analyze bayok in phonological and lexical levels, and determine specific elements (i.e., metaphor, imagery, rhyme, code-switching, and rhetorical questions) which attempt to clarify how words connect to the entire system such as analyzing and interpreting language, literature, and culture. Moreover, the researcher analyzed the dominant themes emerging in bayok to see how the structure of a chant can affect its whole meaning. Findings revealed that bayok sa kandatu expresses various alliteration (for phonological level), and metaphors (for lexical level) emerging as the prominent one. The content of the bayok sa kandatu revolves around three (3) main themes: (1) Empathy, (2) Unity, (3) Kinship. Study concludes that elements in the chant have a role in the process of understanding the leadership values embedded in bayok, which serves as a vital function of language as a transmitter of the identity of the Meranaw.