Ilokano Folklore Art: Fabulous Traditions with Modern Interpretations

Ilokano folklore art refers to the artistic expressions and creative representations of the cultural stories, myths, legends, and traditions of the Iloko people, who are an ethnolinguistic group native to the northern Philippines, particularly the Ilocos Region.

This art encompasses various forms of artistic expression, including visual arts, literature, music, dance, and even crafts.

Visual Arts: Ilokano folklore is often depicted in visual arts, including paintings, sculptures, and textiles. Artists may create images of legendary figures such as Lam-ang (a hero in Ilokano folklore) or scenes from traditional stories and myths.

Literature: Ilokano folklore has been passed down through generations through oral tradition, and many of these stories have been documented in written form. Traditional epics, chants, and folk tales often serve as inspiration for Ilokano writers and poets.

Music and Dance: Ilokano folklore is also expressed through music and dance. Traditional songs and dances are often performed during festivals and cultural events. These performances may tell stories of bravery, love, and cultural values.

Crafts: Traditional Ilokano crafts, such as weaving and pottery, may also incorporate elements of folklore art. Patterns and designs in textiles and pottery might be inspired by mythical creatures or symbolic representations from Ilokano myths.

Mythical Creatures and Symbols: Ilokano folklore is rich with mythical creatures and symbols, which can be depicted in various art forms.

For example, the "tikbalang" (a half-human, half-horse creature) and the "kapre" (a tree-dwelling giant) are common figures in Ilokano stories and can serve as subjects for artistic interpretations.

Cultural Festivals: Many Ilokano cultural festivals incorporate elements of folklore art. Festivals like the Pamulinawen Festival in Laoag City celebrate Ilokano culture through various artistic performances, parades, and displays of traditional crafts.

Storytelling and Performance: Traditional storytelling and performance are essential aspects of Ilokano folklore art. Storytellers pass down myths, legends, and folk tales to younger generations, often accompanied by music, dance, and visual aids.

Contemporary Interpretations: In addition to traditional forms of Ilokano folklore art, contemporary artists may reinterpret these stories using modern artistic techniques and media, blending old and new styles to keep the folklore alive and relevant.

Art plays a crucial role in preserving the cultural heritage of the Ilokano people and connecting them to their ancestral stories and traditions. It continues to evolve as artists find innovative ways to express these stories while honoring their cultural roots.

What Librarians Do in 2024: Keeping Up with Everyone's Needs

Libraries are accessible to everyone... and we mean EVERYONE! Hey there! I'm a librarian, and if there's one thing I know, it's that libraries are not just about books anymore. They're about people – all kinds of people. And in 2024, our job is to make sure we're keeping up with what everyone needs, even as those needs keep changing. So, how do we do that? Let's dive in. Getting to Know You First up, we need to really understand who's using the library. This means looking beyond just the numbers and getting to know the community. What languages do they speak? What kind of information are they looking for? Do they need places to study, meet, or even just hang out? The more we know, the better we can be at making the library a welcoming place for everyone. Technology is Our Friend These days, almost everyone uses some form of technology, whether it's smartphones, tablets, or laptops. As librarians, we're jumping on this tech train too. We'r...

Librarian Resources: Books on the Passion of Christ

Offer your patrons several reading choices for Lent. Here is a list of notable books that delve into the passion of Christ, each offering a unique perspective on this profound subject: 1. "The Passion of Jesus Christ: Fifty Reasons Why He Came to Die" by John Piper - Synopsis: This book offers fifty clear reasons why Jesus Christ underwent the suffering of the cross, according to the Bible. John Piper delves into the theological and spiritual implications of Christ's Passion, aiming to deepen the reader's appreciation and understanding of Christ's sacrifice. 2. "The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ" by Anne Catherine Emmerich - Synopsis: Based on the visions of the German mystic, Anne Catherine Emmerich, this book provides a detailed account of the events leading up to and including the crucifixion of Jesus. Emmerich's vivid descriptions bring to life the sufferings of Christ in a way that encourages empathy and reflection. 3. "Je...

Do Small Libraries Need a Hard Copy of the Library Bibliographic Data?

Get your paperback copy of Library Bibliographic Data book from Amazon through this link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7QBGNKR A hard copy of something is simply a physical ink-on-paper version of what is in the library database. Some librarians say it is cumbersome to keep a hard copy when the soft copy is already there, one simply has to log into the system. But the hard copy of library bibliographic data can be an essential resource for small libraries for several reasons: 1. Backup for Digital Records : While many libraries have digital systems for cataloging their collections, hardcopies serve as a reliable backup in case of digital data loss due to system failures, cyber-attacks, or other unforeseen events. This ensures that the library's catalog remains accessible even in the face of technical difficulties. 2. Accessibility : Not all library patrons may be comfortable or familiar with digital search systems. Hardcopy bibliographies allow these patrons to access bibliograph...

Better Library Shelfing by Colocation: Grouping Similar Items

As librarians, we've all faced the challenge of making the most of our shelf space. It's like a puzzle, figuring out where each book belongs so that people can find what they need without a treasure map. This is where colocation – or putting similar things together – comes into play. It's a simple idea, but it can make a huge difference in how we manage our shelves and help our library users find their way around. Let's talk about how this approach can make our libraries more user-friendly and efficient. Why Colocation Matters Imagine you're looking for a cookbook. You go to the section where cookbooks are supposed to be, but instead of finding them all in one spot, they're scattered all over. Some are with the gardening books, others are near the science fiction. Frustrating, right? That's the problem colocation solves. By keeping similar items together – all the cookbooks in one place, all the science fiction in another – we make life easier for everyone....

Simple Way to Ask Library Users to Rate the Library Service

Library users do not always share their thoughts on how the librarian or school can improve their library service. In fact, some won't ever, unless prompted. Soliciting their thoughts using a suggestion box is also not as good a strategy as it is predicted to be. After all, the blank piece of paper near the suggestion box doesn't really guide the user. I also noticed that users would only use the suggestion box if they have a complaint, but not if they just want to go about their business and leave. There must be a more pro-active way to solicit users' opinion. A simple solution would be to offer a short survey to measure how successfully users were able to complete some common activities in the library. This assessment uses the Likert scale, which is typically a five, seven, or nine-point agreement scale used to measure respondents' agreement with various statements. For example, the scale can range from "very unsuccessful" to "very successful."...

Side Hustles for People Who Rarely Go Online

If you barely have enough time to go online, you'll want a side hustle that's low-maintenance, flexible, and doesn't require constant attention. Here are a few options: Print-on-Demand Store : Create simple designs for t-shirts, mugs, or notebooks. You can use platforms like Redbubble or Teespring, where they handle printing, shipping, and customer service. Your main task is to create and upload designs, which can be done in short bursts of time. Selling Digital Products : If you have expertise in a particular area, you can create digital products like eBooks, templates, or printables. These can be sold on platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or my favorite platform, Creative Fabrica. After the initial creation, the products can generate passive income with minimal ongoing effort. Here's my online store on Creative Fabrica if you need an example (this is also an affiliate link): https://www.creativefabrica.com/designer/ruby-cari...

What Does an Abstractor Do? And Other Frequently Asked Questions.

My very first job ever is ABSTRACTOR. And, in the year 2000, I had to sit a person down and spend no less than fifteen minutes explaining what I do. Now, it's easier because people are more likely to get it when I tell them about the main job description of an abstractor. What exactly does an abstractor do? An abstractor is a person who summarizes important information from documents and records, making it easier to understand the main points without reading the whole text. This is often used for legal documents, such as those related to property ownership, for submitting studies to peer-reviewed journals, and for thesis writing. Here are some questions you might want to ask if you're considering a job as an abstractor. Does an abstractor need to be a graduate of library science and information courses? An abstractor does not necessarily need to have a degree in library science. Typically, abstractors have backgrounds in fields related to the documents they work with, such as ...

Flash Fiction: The Librarian's Halloween Hexes

Every Halloween, when dusk began to settle over Willowdale, Eleanor Marwick closed the public library with a smile that was as much mischief as it was politeness. By day, Eleanor was the quintessential librarian: quiet, precise, and draped in an earthy cardigan. But as October 31st arrived, she was, for one night, something else entirely. Tonight, as soon as the clock chimed seven, she shed her librarian guise and stepped into her true role: the witch of Willowdale. Her cardigan transformed into a flowing cloak, her sensible shoes became lace-up boots that clicked against the cobblestone paths. A grimoire appeared in her hands, pages filled with spells in looping ink, all waiting to be unleashed. The first stop was Mrs. Haversham’s house. Sweet, gray-haired Mrs. Haversham never missed a due date and handled every book with reverence. Eleanor whispered a soft incantation, and immediately Mrs. Haversham’s garden burst into a spectacle of flowers that would bloom all winter. Mrs. Haversha...

Why Choose Digital Humanities as an Extension Course for Librarians?

Pursuing an additional course as a librarian with a library science degree can help you enhance your skills, expand your knowledge base, and unlock new career paths. Here is a good extension career for a library science professional: digital humanities. Why Digital Humanities? Interdisciplinary Skills Digital humanities combine technology with humanities research, offering librarians new ways to manage and present digital collections. This interdisciplinary field bridges the gap between traditional humanities scholarship and modern digital tools, enabling librarians to create digital archives, databases, and research projects that are more accessible and interactive. By mastering these skills, you can contribute to innovative research methods and enhance the visibility of digital collections. Enhanced User Services Provide innovative services like digital exhibits and interactive archives. Digital humanities techniques allow you to create virtual exhibits, online databases,...

Understanding the Consequences of Forgoing Handwriting in Children's Education

The keyboard has nearly replaced the pen in how we communicate and learn. Don't you agree? This shift to digital has many perks, like speed and ease of use, but it's worth pausing to consider what we might lose as handwriting takes a backseat, especially for kids in their learning years. The move away from teaching kids to write by hand could have deeper effects than we might think, touching on everything from brain development to how well they learn and even their emotional well-being. First off, writing by hand isn't just about forming letters on a page; it's a complex brain exercise. When kids practice handwriting, they're not just learning to write; they're firing up parts of their brain that deal with thinking, memory, and language in a way that tapping on a keyboard just doesn't match. Studies have shown that writing something down by hand helps kids remember it better and understand it more deeply than if they type it out. This might be because the ac...

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