what is Harana? impress Your Sweetheart on Valentine’s Day
Above img attribute: ffemagazine.com
This Valentine’s Day, try a unique Filipino tradition (not to mention courageous!) and serenade your sweetheart with a love song.
What is Harana?
During the olden days in the Philippines, the tradition of Harana – musical serenading outside someone’s window – was a popular event. Although harana has traditionally been used for a variety of purposes, the most common practice was for suitors to woo their sweetheart through romantic song.
A man wishing to court the woman he loved would arrange for a group of friends to help him serenade her with guitar and singing. They would stand outside her window and play love songs in order to attract the woman’s attention.
They would stand outside her window and play love songs
Watching from her house, the woman, along with all the family members present, would enjoy the romantic performance and courageous display of affection. This was a chance for the young man to court not only his lover but her family as well.
Courtship was an important part of the love culture in the Philippines and the family was at the center of it all.
Check out one of my favorite traditional songs, “O Ilaw.” Sorry if the video is a bit blurry but this is my favorite version of the song because their live performance shows the romance and musical style of the olden days.
Lyrics:
O Ilaw
O, Ilaw
sa gabing madilim
Wangis mo’y
bituin sa langit
O, tanglaw
sa gabing tahimik
Larawan mo Neneng
nagbigay pasakit
Tindig at magbangon
sa pagkagupiling
Sa pagkakatulog
na lubhang mahimbing
Buksan ang bintana
at ako’y dungawin
Nang mapagtanto mo
ang tunay kong pagdaing
Find more Filipino songs at: Filipino Folk Songs http://filipino-folk-songs.blogspot.com
What Happened to Harana?
Today, harana is seldom practiced in the Philippines. Like many older cultural traditions that disappear over time, harana has become something found only in movies scenes, not real life.
But what would harana look like in today’s modern society? Can it be brought back as an important part of Filipino culture?
What do you think?Should older cultural traditions be brought back and preserved, or does each generation create its own beloved traditions?
And does this Filipino tradition have its place in America? Would it still hold the same meaning as it did back then in the Philippines?
There’s only one way to find out. Harana your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day.
FAQs
Harana, the Filipino serenade, is a dating tradition practiced in Filipino culture (originally influenced by the Spanish). In this tradition, a man will get a group of his friends together to go to the window of the woman he admires. His musician friends accompany him as he sings to the woman.
What can you say about harana? ›
It is a traditional form of courtship music in which a man woos a woman by singing underneath her window at night. It is widely practiced in many parts of the Philippines with a set of protocols, a code of conduct, and a specific style of music.
What is a harana for courtship? ›
Harana was a traditional form of courtship in the Philippines wherein men introduced themselves and/or wooed women by singing underneath her window at night. It was widely practiced in old Philippines with a set of protocols, a code of conduct and a specific style of music.
What is the example of harana? ›
Classic examples of traditional harana songs are Ruben Tagalog's “Dungawin Mo,” “Hirang” (“Look Out the WIndow, My Love”), and “Kay Lungkot Nitong Hatinggabi” (“How Sorrowful is the Night”) — all of which are accompanied by a guitar or two.
How important is harana? ›
It's a reminder of the importance of slowing down, savouring the moment, and cherishing the simple yet profound expressions of love and affection. In a culture where modern dating often prioritises convenience and efficiency, the tradition of Harana stands out as a timeless symbol of romance and devotion.
What is an example of a harana song? ›
Harana is an unstructured, anything-goes event
Songs like Dungawin Mo Sana (Wishing You'd Look Out the Window), Dungawin Mo Hirang (Look Out the Window, My Beloved), Sa Gitna Ng Dilim (In the Midst of Darkness), etc.
Is harana a ritual? ›
Harana, is a traditional way of courting women in the Philippines.. Presently, the tradition is almost non existent.
What is the typical Tagalog love song called? ›
Kundiman is a genre of traditional Filipino love songs. The lyrics of the kundiman are written in Tagalog. The melody is characterized by a smooth, flowing and gentle rhythm with dramatic intervals. Kundiman was the traditional means of serenade in the Philippines.
Is courtship a relationship? ›
A courtship is a period in a romantic couple's relationship when they are dating. Most partners go through a courtship before deciding to get married. Courtship is an old-fashioned word, assuming that two people who love each other will eventually get married.
Is dating a courtship? ›
Courtship is more serious and traditional than dating. It involves getting to know your partner with the expectation that marriage is the end goal. Dating is a broad term that can mean many things, including casual dating, hooking up, or being in a long-term relationship.
the wooing of one person by another. 2. the period during which such wooing takes place. 3. solicitation of favors, applause, etc.
What are the 4 stages of harana? ›
stages of harana
- Panawagan (Calling out or Announcement)
- Pagtatapat (Proposal)
- Panagutan (Response)
- Pamaalam (Farewell)
This culture of serenading at night of a young man showing love and admiration to a young lady is called Harana. It is a genre of traditional Filipino love songs. The melody is characterized by a smooth, flowing, gentle rhythm with dramatic intervals.
What type of genre is harana? ›
The Filipino harana is a lyrical courtship style based on Mexican-Spanish traditions and kundiman is a passionate form of Tagalog romantic song based on Spanish melodies and song structures. Musically, as we can sense from this video, the genre is based on the Spanish/Cuban habanera rhythm (BOOM…
What does courting mean in the Philippines? ›
Courtship in the Philippines is a traditional practice that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is a process of seeking permission, getting to know one another, and proving worthiness to the family and community before a couple can officially start dating or pursuing a romantic relationship.
Why do Filipinos sing well? ›
The ability to carry a tune as naturally as we carry a conversation can be traced back to our upbringing and cultural DNA. Singing isn't just a hobby in the Philippines; it's a way of life! It all starts from the cradle, where Filipino babies come out crying in perfect harmony (not really, but you get the gist).
