Binatbatan (Ilocano) Bina Binatb tbat atan an is an occu occupa pati tion onal al danc dance e from from Paoay, aoay, Iloc Ilocos os Nort Norte. e. It depicts the beating of the cotton pods to separate the seeds from the bers with with the the us use e of two two stic sticks ks call called ed batbat in the Iloco Ilocos s regio egion. n. Binatbatan, therefore, is derived from the word batbat. The people of Paoay are known for their skill in weaving the famous Ilocano Ilocano cloth called called abel. abel. Oftentimes, the weavers engage themselves in a contest as to who could nish rst and could produce and clean more bers. hen the weavers wish to have fun and marrymaking, they sing and dance and use the batbat !sticks" !sticks" in the dance. They dance between and out of parallel sticks without stepping on them, showing their ability, skill and good timing. The speed of beating and the rhythmic sounds produced by the sticks make the dance very lively, colourful and e#citing. COSTUME$ %ancers wear the traditional Ilocano costume. EQUIPMENT $ Two pieces of sticks !preferably rattan" &' inches long and about the si(e of the nger, held at the end, one in each hand. MUSIC is composed in two parts $ ) and *. COUNT one, two, three, to three, to measure in + time. One, two; or one, two and; or one, and two, and !accent on count one and on the second and, as 1 and 2 and" and" to a measure in - time. FORMATION. Partners face each other about si# feet apart, /irl at the right side of *oy when facing the audience. )s many pairs would like to participate may take part in this dance. INTRODUCTION Music Introduction Partners face each other 0neel on 1 !ct.&", kneel on 2 !ct.", and sit on heels !ct.3". 4trike both sticks on the 5oor in front !ct.&", pause with sticks down on the 5oor !ct. ,3"... measure.
I Music A
0neel6sitting position, holding sticks parallel and near each other, about three inches apart. a" 4trike sticks on the 5oor four times, from right side gradually moving to sideward left !cts. &, and, , and". 7ollow the movement of the sticks with the eyes....... &measure. b" 1epeat !a" fourteen more times.... c" 4trike the sticks on the 5oor in front !ct.&", raise sticks about a foot high from 5oor !ct. ".............. & measure.
II Music A. 4ame position as in 7igure I. a" Girl- 1epeat gure & for & measures only. Boy- 4trike sticks on the 5oor four times to a measure as in gure I !a" moving sticks from front, gradually moving backward. 4ticks are held apart so that hands can move backwards, 1 sticks at right side and 2 sticks on the left side. %o this movement fourteen times........ & 8easures. b" Boys and Girls—9alf6stand in 1 foot !cts. &, ", stand and put feet together !cts. &, ", sticks down at sides...... 8easures. III Music A 7ace )udience. a" ith 2 foot across 1 in front, e#ecute 0orriti6steps turning !clockwise" in place. %o a complete turn in four measures. 4trike own sticks together three times to a measure, with 1 over 2, 2 over 1 alternately cts. &, and, to a measure. /I12:start with sticks at knee level !& measure" and head level ! & measure" alternately. *O;:do the same movements of the sticks at head level rst ! & measure", and knee level ! & measure" alternately........ measures. b" 1epeat !a", doing the turn in three measures only. 7inish facing front. 3 8easures... c" 4tamp three times in place !1, 2, 1" !cts. & and ", pause !ct.and). 9ands down at the sides !no sounds"..... & 8easure. d" 1epeat !a6c", turning counter clockwise, with 1 across 2 foot in front ! < measures" and stamp three times in place starting with 2 foot ! &measure"..... ' 8easures.
IV
Music A. Partners turn with 1 shoulders toward each other. a" ith 2 foot across 1 in front, e#ecute korriti steps clockwise. Partners= backs are toward each other always while turning. 4trike sticks as in
gure III. %ancers are at partners=s place at the fourth measure and their own places at the seventh measure...... < measure. b" 1epeat gure III !c"............. &measure. c" Turn right about and with 2 shoulders toward each other and 1 foot across 2 in front, repeat !a", moving counter clockwise. 7inish near each other. %o this for & measure only.... > measure. d" /I12:repeat !b" starting with 2 foot ! & measure". Put down sticks on 5oor !& 8easure"..... measure. *O;66 do the kneel6sitting position instead of stamping. 0neel on 1 !ct.&", kneel on 2 !ct. " sit on heels !cts. &," and hold sticks parallel to each other with the farther end touching the 5oor........ measure.
V Music A. Pla t!o ti"#s. Partners face each other, girl standing near partner and boy in kneel6 sitting position. Partners perform their movements simultaneously. *O; a" Open sticks wide apart !ct.& ",slide stick to cross, 1 over 2 !ct. ". Open sticks wide apart !ct.&", slide sticks to cross 2 over 1 !ct." %o these movements for si# more measures......... < measures. b" 4trike own sticks 3 times on the 5oor!cts. &, and " ...... & measure. c" 1epeat !a" for si# measures only............ > 8easures d" )ssume standing position as in 7igure II !b". 2eave sticks on 5oor..... measures. $IR% Put weight on 2 foot. )rms in reverse ?T@ position. a" Point 1 foot in front, at center between *oy=s stick !ct.&", point 1 foot across at the left side !ct.". Point 1 foot at center between sticks !ct.&", point 1 foot at right side !ct.". 0umintang hands inward at every measure, twisting body slightly to left and right side alternately !toward the pointing foot"...... measures, b" 1epeat !a" for ve more measures....... A measures. c" 1epeat 7igure III !c".9old skirt in front of thighs........ & 8easure. d" 1epeat !a" three times pointing with the 2 foot. 1everse direction of movements.............. > measures. e" %o the kneel6sitting position:kneel on 1 !ct.&", kneel on 2 !ct. ", sit on heels !cts. &,"....... 8easures. BO& and $IR% B#change movements. *oy performing the movements of /irl above and vice6versa. *oy=s hands on waist in !c". 2eave sticks on 5oor.... &> 8easures
VI Music A Pla t!o ti"#s. 4ame position as in 7igure C. Partners perform their movements simultaneously. BO& a' 1epeat same movements as in 7igure C !a"............................ &3 measures. b' 4trike own sticks three times on 5oor !cts. &, and ".....................& measure. c' )ssume standing position as in 7igure II !b".................................. measures. $IR%S a" 9old skirt in front of thighs. Dump forward to center between sticks !ct.&", Eump backward!ct."F Eump forward to center between sticks!ct.&" Eump sideward to the right side !ct."F Eump to center between sticks !ct.&", Eump backward !ct."F Eump forward between sticks !ct.&" Eump sideward to left side !ct.". %o the above movements for thirteen measures, Eumping to center, 1 and 2 side alternately..............................................................................&3 8easures. b" 4tamp, stamp, stamp as in 7igure III !c". 9old skirt in front of thighs.....& measure. c" )ssume the kneel6sitting position..................................................... measures. BO& and $IR% d' ith hands on waist and holding sticks, boy performs the movements of /irl and vice6versa !& 8easures". Partners arrange sticks on 5oor to form a letter G position, at center between them ! measures".......&> measures. VII Music B Partners face each other. a" Take four cross6habanera steps sideward moving little by little toward center, 1 and 2 foot across in front alternately. 4tart with 1 arm swinging downward6upward as if sewing a big needle held between the thumb and forenger !ct.&", raise 1 elbow slightly upward !ct.", lower elbow !ct. & and", 2 hand at back of 2 hip. 1everse position of hands at every measure.......... 8easures.
b" 1epeat !a", moving little by little backward to proper places... measures. c" 1epeat !a" and !b"................................................................... ' measures.
VIII Music A Partners face each other. a" ith 1 foot leading, partners e#ecute chasing steps forward, moving around clockwise !take two chasing steps for every measure". *oy following closely behind girl, clapping hands at every count !two claps for every measure". /irl=s arms in reverse ?T@ position doing a kumintang inward at every measure......... ' measures. b" Turn right about. 1epeat !a" moving counter clockwise, *oy in front of girl and doing the movement of girl and vice6versa. 7inish in proper places facing partner........................... ' measures.
