Rosie Sula and Her Legacy in Preserving Indigenous Musical Traditions
Rosie Godwino Sula stands as one of the Philippines’ most respected cultural masters, renowned for embodying and preserving the vibrant traditions of her Tboli heritage. In 2023, she was awarded the prestigious GAMABA prize for her peerless mastery of Tboli chanting, a recognition that made her the youngest recipient ever of the National Living Treasure honor at age 55.
Rosie Godwino Sula
A virtuoso of lingon—an ancient Tboli art form encompassing epic chants—Sula weaves the history, myths, and ancestral values of her people into mesmerizing oral tapestries. She was born by the tranquil waters of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, into a lineage of distinguished Tboli musicians. Dedicating her life to cultural preservation, she has become a graceful guardian of intangible heritage, excelling in chanting, composing evocative verses, performing traditional dances, and expertly playing indigenous musical instruments.
Her artistic abilities border on the extraordinary: Rosie can compose 20 original poems in one day and sustain epic chants for up to three days without faltering, captivating audiences with her stamina and artistry. Her rich performances have taken her from the lush valleys of Mindanao to international stages, where researchers and admirers seek to learn from the rich cultural legacy she upholds. Through her passionate art, Sula breathes new life into Tboli stories, beliefs, and wisdom, inspiring pride and continuity among younger generations.
Early Life and Background
Rosie Godwino Sula was born on May 12, 1968, in the picturesque town of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. She grew up immersed in the lush landscapes, vibrant flora, and the shimmering waters of her Tboli homeland, a region celebrated for its breathtaking natural beauty and deep cultural heritage.
Lake Sebu, renowned for its tranquil lake, rolling hills, and majestic waterfalls, provided a nurturing environment that inspired and shaped her artistic sensibilities. This area is especially known for its dedication to preserving the unique customs, rituals, and traditions of the indigenous Tboli people. From an early age, Rosie was surrounded by the melodic sounds of the hegelung (a traditional string instrument) and rhythmic beat of agongs reverberating through the community, echoing the collective memory of her ancestry.
Rosie’s bond with Tboli culture is intimately tied to her birthplace. Lake Sebu stands as a vibrant center for traditional arts and crafts, where weaving, beadwork, and oral storytelling flourish. The community, deeply rooted in ancestral customs, plays an integral role in shaping and sustaining her creative identity. The enduring practices there continue to inform and inspire Rosie’s artistic journey.
Growing up in the heart of South Cotabato provided Rosie with access to the rich oral traditions, legends, and folk songs passed down through generations of Tboli elders. She absorbed these traditions through the rhythms of daily life—joining communal gatherings, listening to the stories of her elders, and participating in festivals—each experience weaving itself into the fabric of her creative vision.
Family Heritage and Influences
Rosie Sula hails from a distinguished family of Tboli musicians known in the southern Philippines for their unwavering dedication to preserving indigenous music. Her family lineage boasts several renowned instrumentalists and vocalists revered in the Tboli community. Through this environment, Rosie was immersed from a young age in the practice and appreciation of Tboli musical traditions such as hegelung (two-stringed lute) playing, sludoy (bamboo zither), and the ancient art of chanting called Lálang.
Generations of musical knowledge were passed down in her household through oral history, performance, and ritual participation. This rich heritage not only refined Rosie’s artistic talents but also deepened her understanding of the Tboli worldview, where music, spirituality, and everyday life are closely interconnected. Her relatives instilled in her the importance of cultural conservation and guided her early training, ensuring she mastered both the technical aspects of performance and the spiritual meaning behind each piece.
Within this nurturing environment, Rosie was exposed to a wide range of traditional instruments and intricate vocal techniques. Her elders served as both mentors and custodians of sacred songs and stories, teaching her the nuances of Tboli chanting (Lálang) and storytelling (kemed). As her skills grew, Rosie’s family’s respected standing in the community provided opportunities for advanced training with master artists and shamans (blán) from neighboring villages, further broadening her artistic repertoire. This vibrant network not only helped her excel in multiple art forms but also empowered her to contribute actively to the preservation and revitalization of Tboli culture.
Personal Achievements
Rosie Sula received the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) award as a National Living Treasure. She became the youngest recipient of this honor at age 55. The award recognizes her mastery of Tboli chanting traditions.
Her skills extend far beyond chanting alone:
- Epic chanting: Can perform for three days straight
- Poetry: Writes 20 original poems daily
- Music: Plays all traditional Tboli instruments
- Dance: Masters traditional Tboli movements
- Weaving: Creates traditional textiles
She specializes in the Tboli practice of lingon, particularly lingon hololok or epic chants. Her most famous work includes the epic “Tudbulul.” She has traveled internationally as a key expert on Tboli culture.
Sula has appeared on the cover of Vogue Philippines, bringing global attention to Tboli arts. She continues to teach and preserve her people’s traditions for future generations.
The Art of Tboli Chanting
Tboli chanting follows an ancient oral tradition with no written lyrics or fixed words. Each performance becomes a unique creation as chanters improvise the content.
The tradition passes down through generations by memory and practice. Chanters learn the basic stories but must develop their own style of telling them.
Key features of Tboli chanting include:
- No written scripts or lyrics
- Improvised words and melodies
- Stories recreated fresh each time
- Performances range from 30 minutes to three days
The art requires deep knowledge of Tboli culture and history. Chanters must understand the meaning behind the stories to tell them properly.
The Role of the Chanter
A Tboli chanter serves as both storyteller and cultural keeper. They preserve important stories and pass them to younger generations.
Master chanters like Rosie Sula become key sources for researchers studying Tboli culture. They travel to share their knowledge and teach others about their traditions.
The chanter must have several skills:
- Strong memory for complex stories
- Ability to improvise words and melodies
- Deep understanding of Tboli customs
- Performance skills to engage audiences
Many chanters also work as composers, musicians, and dancers. These skills help them tell stories in more complete ways.
Tudbulul: Epic Chanting
The Tudbulul epic stands as the most significant narrative in Tboli oral traditions, serving as the focal point of their chanting rituals. This ancient epic encapsulates essential aspects of Tboli life, such as social norms, cosmology, spiritual beliefs, and notable historical events specific to the Tboli people of South Cotabato in the Philippines.
Tudbulul performances vary greatly in length, ranging from brief renditions lasting about 30 minutes to elaborate recitations spanning as long as three days. The duration depends largely on the expertise of the chanter and the level of detail included. Traditional performances are often accompanied by indigenous musical instruments, like the hegelung (two-stringed lute) and the sludoy (bamboo zither), as well as by specific ritual observances.
No two recitations of Tudbulul are ever exactly the same. Tboli chanters, known as Lemlunay or Tudbulul, infuse each performance with personal interpretation, selectively emphasizing themes or characters that resonate with the contemporary audience or situation. This flexibility keeps the epic dynamic and culturally relevant across generations.
Core themes explored in Tudbulul include Tboli history, moral values, ancestral laws, myths of creation, and beliefs about the natural and supernatural world. By recounting the epic, master storytellers help educate the young, reinforce Tboli identity, and ensure the transmission of cultural heritage.
Becoming a master chanter requires years of rigorous training and memorization. The apprentice must internalize an extensive repertoire of characters, chronologies, and symbolic meanings. Mastery is not only about rote memory but also about understanding the spiritual significance of the epic and knowing when to adapt or elaborate parts of the story for various community events.
Rosie Sula’s Mastery and Contributions to Preserving Oral Traditions
Rosie Sula is a master of lingon, a T’boli chanting practice known for epic storytelling, such as in “Tudbulul.” She is renowned for her exceptional vocal skills, which include hitting high notes and sustaining a wide range. Sula can chant continuously for up to three days, drawing from a repertoire of traditional songs, prayers, and ceremonial chants that help preserve the centuries-old culture of the T’boli people.
Her style reflects the depth of T’boli oral literature. When performing, she sits on raised platforms and strikes wooden resonators, creating sharp, resonant sounds that echo across the fields. Sula’s commanding voice is used in both spiritual rituals and practical activities, like protecting crops from birds. Additionally, she composes as many as 20 original poems daily, contributing constantly to T’boli literary heritage.
Mentorship and Community Leadership
Rosie Sula, known as Bo’i Lumingon, is highly respected in her Lake Sebu community for her exceptional chanting skills and cultural leadership. She dedicates herself to teaching T’boli traditions to younger generations, highlighting the value of cultural preservation for both youth development and community identity.
In addition to chanting, Sula practices and teaches various T’boli arts such as traditional dance, music, and weaving, making her a comprehensive cultural educator.
She works with academic institutions, notably collaborating with Notre Dame of Marbel University, to share her expertise and help document and preserve T’boli practices. As a cultural ambassador, Sula represents T’boli traditions at diverse events and ceremonies across South Cotabato.
GAMABA Recognition and Significance
The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA), or National Living Treasure Award, celebrates Filipino artists who have mastered and preserved traditional folk arts. The program identifies those with exceptional skills and deep understanding of techniques handed down through generations.
Awardees not only receive government support to continue their work but also gain national recognition, which bolsters the preservation of diminishing cultural practices.
Traditional arts covered by the award include weaving, music, dance, and oral literature. Each honoree is a testament to years of dedication to cultural heritage.
In 2023, Presidential Proclamation No. 427 recognized three Tboli cultural masters: Rosie Sula for chanting, Barbara Kibed Ofong for textile weaving, and Bundos Bansil Fara for brasscasting.
Award Criteria and Selection
GAMABA selection follows strict criteria that evaluate artistic excellence and cultural significance. Candidates must demonstrate mastery of traditional art forms within their cultural communities.
Key Selection Requirements:
- Master of a traditional art form
- Active practitioner for significant period
- Cultural knowledge passed through generations
- Recognition within their community
- Contribution to cultural preservation
Rosie Sula met these criteria through her expertise in Tboli epic chanting. Her ability to perform lingon hololok, including the epic “Tudbulul,” showcased her deep cultural knowledge.
Her skills extend beyond chanting. She can write 20 original poems daily, chant epics for three days straight, and play all traditional Tboli instruments.
The selection process involves extensive research and community validation. Experts evaluate the artist’s technical skills, cultural authenticity, and community impact.
Sula’s high-pitched vocal range and complex chanting style reflect the depth of Tboli oral literature. This technical mastery supported her GAMABA recognition.
Tboli Cultural Heritage in Lake Sebu
Lake Sebu in South Cotabato serves as the cultural heart of the Tboli people, where traditional leadership structures through Datu and Bo’i families preserve ancient arts. The municipality has produced multiple GAMABA awardees who master distinct cultural practices from chanting to textile weaving.
GAMABA Awardees from Lake Sebu
Lake Sebu in South Cotabato is home to several GAMABA (Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan / National Living Treasures) awardees, particularly from the T’boli community, known for their T’nalak weaving, chanting, and brass casting traditions.
Here are the GAMABA awardees from Lake Sebu:
- Lang Dulay(awarded in 1998) – A T’bolidreamweavercelebrated for weaving the sacredT’nalak clothusing traditional patterns passed down through dreams.
- Bundos Bansil Fara(awarded 2023) – Recognized for mastery inT’boli brass casting(temwel).
- Barbara Kibed Ofong(awarded 2023) – Honored forT’boli textile weaving, continuing the legacy of T’nalak weaving.
- Rosie Godwino Sula(awarded 2023) – Celebrated forT’boli chanting(sudsung), a vital oral tradition of the community.
These awardees embody the rich cultural heritage of the T’boli people and ensure that their traditions are preserved for future generations
Future of Tboli Chanting
Sula is a vital informant for researchers focused on Tboli epics and culture, sharing her expertise both locally and internationally with scholars and institutions. Through her documentation, she helps preserve chants that might otherwise disappear, as researchers record her performances and collect the histories of each epic.
Supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, her work receives sustainable funding and recognition. Sula frequently partners with other GAMABA awardees from Lake Sebu, such as textile weaver Barbara Kibed Ofong, to develop wide-reaching cultural education programs.
Her impact goes beyond performance; she consults with government officials on policies that influence indigenous arts and education. The next generation, trained by Sula, is now teaching others, ensuring the tradition thrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rosie Sula and what is her significance in Philippine cultural preservation?
Rosie Godwino Sula is a Tboli woman from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. She comes from a family of Datu and Bo’i, which are important positions in Tboli society.
She became the youngest GAMABA awardee at age 55. GAMABA stands for Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan, which recognizes National Living Treasures.
Sula learned chanting and storytelling from her father starting at age eight. She also learned to play traditional instruments like the kulintang and hegelung.
Her work helps keep Tboli oral traditions alive. She travels around the country and internationally to share knowledge about Tboli culture with researchers and students.
What is Tboli chanting, and how does it contribute to the cultural heritage of the Philippines?
Tboli chanting is an oral tradition that tells stories and preserves cultural knowledge. The chants are not written down and have no fixed lyrics.
Chanters recreate the songs every time they perform them. The words are often improvised, making each performance unique.
The highest form of Tboli chanting is called Tudbulul. This epic chant tells the stories of Tboli heroes and contains important cultural elements.
Sula performs lingon hololok, which are epic chants. These performances help pass down Tboli history, beliefs, and values to new generations.
How has Rosie Sula’s work in promoting Tboli chanting impacted her community?
Sula serves as a key informant for studies about Tboli culture. Her knowledge helps researchers understand the significance of Tboli traditions.
She demonstrates traditional practices like sitting on raised platforms while chanting. This includes striking wooden resonators to repel birds from crops while performing.
Her powerful voice and performances awaken spirituality in various forms. She continues to work toward her dreams for Tboli women in her community.
Sula’s recognition brings attention to Tboli culture. This helps preserve traditions that might otherwise be lost over time.
What recognition has Rosie Sula received for her contributions to indigenous art forms?
Sula received the GAMABA award, which designates her as a National Living Treasure. This is the highest recognition for traditional artists in the Philippines.
She was the youngest person to receive this award at age 55. The award recognizes her mastery as an epic chanter and Tboli dancer.
Notre Dame of Marbel University takes pride in her achievements. She is recognized alongside other Tboli cultural masters from Lake Sebu.
Her work has gained international attention. She has been featured in various publications and cultural programs both locally and abroad.
What are the characteristics of Tboli chanting that make it unique?
Tboli chanting has no written form and relies completely on oral transmission. Each performance is recreated fresh by the chanter.
The chants often include improvised words and phrases. This means no two performances are exactly the same.
Chanters use their voices along with traditional instruments. Sula incorporates wooden resonators and other tools into her performances.
The chants tell epic stories like the Tudbulul. These narratives contain deep cultural meaning and preserve Tboli history and beliefs.
How are new generations being encouraged to learn about Tboli chanting and its traditions?
Sula continues to teach and share her knowledge despite being in her 50s. She has many years ahead to see her dreams for Tboli women come true.
She travels to universities and cultural institutions. These visits help educate students and researchers about Tboli traditions.
Her recognition as a National Living Treasure brings visibility to the art form. This attention helps encourage interest among younger people.
Traditional learning methods continue through family and community connections. Sula learned from her father, showing how knowledge passes between generations.
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