Mawat da yang idatung mo, tin.
Yakadatung da kaw sang mawat na banwa,
Kyasumpayan da yang kammu pangan,
Pero minang awn kammu ikaringawan.
Di da kaw matigam ng kanatun pyaglawngan.
Di da kaw anad magkan ng durian.
Di da kaw ng daral aw bawlu magpakakan.
Minang awn gyud kammu ikaringawan.
Wa da kaw pagpakadungog ng kurintangan.
Wa da kaw sa kamun pagakuwang.
Wa da kaw pakagina sang kayugan.
Klaro na awn day kammu ikaringawan.
Maski wayn pa yang kammu adatungan,
Maski uno pa yang kammu kyatigaman,
Pagtadum, tin, na awn isa na di amauman –
Ka’gan kaw, sa dumduman aw pangatayan.
(Translation)
Forgotten
You have reached far, son.
You have arrived in a faraway land,
You have added titles to your name,
yet it seems you have forgotten something.
You no longer know our language.
You are not accustomed to eating durian.
You do not eat daral and bawlu anymore.
It seems you have forgotten something.
You have not heard of kurintangan.
You are not lying on a mat anymore.
You have not set foot inside the coconut farm.
It is clear that you have forgotten something.
Wherever your feet step,
Whatever knowledge you acquire,
Remember, son, that one thing will not change –
You are a Ka’gan, in mind and in heart.
- Daral and bawlu – local delicacies traditionally served during social gatherings.
- Kurintangan- a musical performance that features the kurintang and is commonly performed during
weddings. - Kayugan is a coconut farm, as the author came from a family of low-income coconut farmers.
- Kamun – a hand-woven mat made out of pandan leaves.
Khif Muamar M. Miranda is a former English instructor and current head of the Public Information Unit at Davao de Oro State College. He enjoys writing poetry whenever random inspiration strikes and proudly embraces his heritage as a member of the Ka’gan Tribe.