Song of Negros

Song Of Negros is an unusual book which explores a number of traditional folktales collected for elder community members on the island of Negros in the Philippines. As well as recounting the myths themselves, Victoria Hoffarth also connects them to the particular culture of this divided island and to the wider Philippine archipelago. She looks at the history and sociology of the people living there, especially the ways in which hundreds of years of colonial rule, by a series of occupiers, have altered Negros. Song Of Negros is a book in two parts which did make it feel disjointed to read although I could understand why this format might have been adopted. The first half comprises the retelling of fifteen myths with an explanation of how such tales are identified as fairytale, myth or legend. Hoffarth ends each with brief notes, several of whose ideas are picked up and discussed more fully in a selection of sociological essays that make up Songs Of Negros' second half. I particularly liked the way in which Hoffarth related each myth to the communal traits of Philippine people, especially the Negros populations. She asks to what extent these influential traditional stories shaped Negros culture or whether they actually just reflect characteristics which were already present. This reminded me of a Western fairytale examination I also read recently, Cinderella Didn't Live Happily Ever After by Anne Beall, which asked similar questions of Grimm's tales. In Song Of Negros, Hoffarth also shows how the Negros tales demonstrate a highly cooperative culture where priority is given to the success of the community. This contrasts strongly with my English culture where individual achievements are more greatly valued, often at the expense of the community, and our fairytales do reflect this reality. Not being familiar with Philippine history or geography, I did find some of the fact-heavy essays harder to follow, but I feel that Song Of Negros gave me a good overview of this country. This would be a good starting resource for readers interested in learning about the Philippines from a non-tourist angle, and the book would also be a great addition to a fairytale library.

This book is a well-written account of the myths, legends and folktales from Negros which shaped the lives and beliefs of people inhabiting the central region of the Philippines long time ago. The stories are both fascinating and informative. I especially enjoyed reading about real life encounters with the supernatural beings called ‘tamawos'. It was my cherished wish while growing up to meet one as I heard they are benevolent and cure all diseases. Sadly, I never got my wish! The author's comments are excellent accompaniment to the narrative. They broaden my understanding of the context in which the stories were born and their significance to the history and culture of Negros, the Philippines, and the world at large. Fantastic book! Great style of writing kept it enjoyable to read throughout. Highly recommended!

Negros, the fourth largest island in the Philippines, is a land rich in history, tradition, legend, myth and folklore. The author claims that myths are a window to our soul. She seeks the truth, carefully avoiding the need for facts. Victoria Hoffarth once called Negros her home. Now, she pays tribute to the land, the people and their beliefs. I was fascinated by the glimpses of island history: the long Spanish occupation, the brutal Japanese war campaign, eventual independence. She puts it all expertly in context. Her book is written with passion, and complimented with beautiful illustrations by Daniel Desembrana.

Interesting book looking at myths and culture of the Philippines quite detailed in its text and shows how over time these myths developed (NetGalley Reviewer)