中文

The Puyuma

Songs and Music

Puyuma music has an elegant, peaceful quality, and the lyrics of the songs tend to be quite poetic. The Puyuma also have a store of rather magnificent epic ballads. The songs feature a strong, pronounced rhythm as they are often work chants (not seldom with heroic or epic content) that help to synchronize movements and emphasize the strong communal aspect of Puyuma society. An excellent example is the “Work Song” chanted by the teams of women weeding the fields. Commencing with a resounding summons to work, announcing that the labor of weeding is about to start, its smooth melody and sonorous quality make this is one of the “classics” in the Puyuma repertoire.

There are several facets to Puyuma ballads, but what most of them have in common is the straightforward expression of human emotion and a fluid style that manifests itself in extensive lyrics and long melodic patterns. Often the words are complemented with improvised lyrics and a fair share of sounds with no specific meaning that are used to carry the tune forward. The impromptu nature of Puyuma music (and the lyrics in particular) becomes especially obvious on festive occasions and gatherings, such as the New Year Celebrations, when all the members of the tribe will frequently dance and sing through the night.

There is something deeply moving about the resonant voices and soaring quality of Puyuma singing. All songs are homophonic and feature catchy refrains, and the oldest of them is the “Weeding Ballad”. Like most ancient Puyuma ballads (especially those performed publicly and on special occasions), it is performed by a lead singer and a chorus.

Puyuma music is closely connected with the tribe’s festivals and rituals. Among those that are still celebrated with regularity are the Magamut (“Completion of the Weeding”), the Muraliyavan (“Harvest Festival”), the Basibas (“Monkey Ritual”), and the Mangayau (“Hunting Ritual”). Musical accompaniment and song are particularly important for the Magamut and the Mangayau, and a lot of ritual songs and incantations exist for these two occasions. It should be noted that there are specific chants for men and women, a division that is strictly upheld. For example, since hunting is an activity that is entirely reserved for men, the songs and ballads associated with the Monkey Ritual, the Hunting Ritual and the New Year Festival are performed solely by the male members of the tribe. On the other hand, many of the work songs (such as the “Weeding Ballad”) belong to the women’s domain and are never sung by men.

Puyuma Dance

The most interesting of the Puyuma dances are performed by women and youths. At first glance, both men and women dance in a similar fashion: the dancers hold each other by the hands, with arms behind their backs, and usually form a circle. But closer observation reveals that the individual steps and changing formations are subtly different, reflecting the different status and responsibilities of men and women within the tribe. For the Puyuma this comes naturally, but for outsiders it is quite difficult to catch on to the delicate variations and modifications that characterize male and female dance.

Puyuma song and dance display a rich variety of form and content, ranging from the lyrical expression of basic human emotions and colorful oral traditions (epic ballads) to the martially inspired chants and dance formations that mirror the Spartan aspects of male upbringing in this tribal society. Permeated with a fine sense of well-balanced hierarchy and communal unity, Puyuma songs and music leave a deep impression on those lucky enough to witness them.

Some of the particularly interesting Puyuma dances include:

  • Mythic Dance: This dance is a vivid and lively depiction of the mysterious Puyuma legend of Princess Pinuyumayan who fell in love with a sambar deer.
  • Monkey Ritual Dance: Part of the process of entering full manhood for young men, this dance is an enactment of the ancient tradition of hunting and killing monkeys, and mourning their spirits, as a rite of initiation.
  • Wooden Shield Dance: A martial dance and a chance for brave warriors to cleanse themselves and display their valor by expelling evil spirits. During the performance, the dancers constantly shout each others’ names to boost each others’ morale.
  • Brave Man’s Dance: Also known as the “Spirited Dance” or the “Warrior’s Dance”, the main object of this dance is actually to thank the Spirits for looking after the tribe, and to pray for a good harvest.
  • Comic Dance: Whenever a firstborn son or daughter is a month old, a special celebration is held. Everybody, men, women and children, participates in this comic dance that is also a “game” in which everybody tries to produce the funniest moves and gestures.
  • Welcome Dance: A traditional welcome dance to invite guests to join in the tribe’s celebrations and merrymaking.
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