Akon nalantawan: The passions and humor of Negrenses in 20 Hiligaynon folk songs

This study focuses on 20 Hiligaynon folksongs from Negros Occidental. It analyzes the images in the folksongs, which reveal themes of love, humor, joy, work, celebration, grief, anger, disappointment, pride and nationalism. The images highlight the Negrense as a lover who seeks fidelity and unending love from the beloved, a warrior who strives for the honor and dignity of his nation, and an individual who, aware of his society\u27s conservative and traditional norms, either conforms to or transgresses these standards while possessing a critical attitude and a sense of humor in doing so. Guided by Malinowski\u27s Functionalism, this study shows how the songs satisfy the need of Negrenses to express their emotions and beliefs, their need to educate and pass on knowledge from one generation to another, and their need of symbols to integrate and unite themselves as members of one community. It establishes how serving those needs enables the 20 folksongs to represent the emotions, values, principles, and traditions--the culture of Negrenses