Suakusua Flashcards
What does “Sua-Ku-Sua” mean, and where does it originate?
• Meaning: My Pomelo Tree
• Place of Origin: Jolo, Sulu
• Ethno-Linguistic Group: Tausug
Which countries influence Sua-Ku-Sua, and how is it classified?
• Countries of Influence: China, Malaysia, Indonesia
• Classification: Courtship dance
Describe the lifestyle of the Tausug people in Jolo, Sulu.
• Roles: Fierce warriors, seafarers, and farmers
• Crops: Coconut, pomelos, rice, and root crops
What props are used in Sua-Ku-Sua, and how are they moved?
• Props: Two white fans
• Movements:
• Swayed in a figure-of-eight motion
• Held in an L-position
• Wrists flexing for creative imagery
What imagery do the fan movements in Sua-Ku-Sua represent?
• Tiny sails
• Face mirrors
• Butterflies
• Shields
• Leaves
Describe the costume for female Sua-Ku-Sua dancers.
• Top (Barawasi): Loose blouse with long sleeves, deep neckline, and brass buttons
• Pants (Sawal/Kantiu): Loose Chinese pants with a white band for the belt
• Shoulder Band (Siyag): Rich wrap worn across the chest
• Headpiece Options:
1. Gold or brass filigree
2. Paper bills on sticks
3. Crown-like pasteboard cut-outs
• Accessories: Gold earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and brooches
• Footwear: Barefoot
Describe the costume for male Sua-Ku-Sua dancers.
• Top (Bajo): Collarless shirt with an overlapping front and brass buttons
• Pants (Sawal/Kantiu): Similar to the female but in darker colors
• Accessories: Money belt, Sarok hat, Pis siyabit scarf, Kris or barong (knives)
• Footwear: Barefoot
What are the shared costume elements for both male and female dancers?
• Siyag (shoulder band)
• Sawal/Kantiu (loose pants)
What are the movements in Figure 1: Leaves?
• Knees bent outward; arms extended sideward holding fans
• 32 walking steps forward with alternating wrist movements
• Head bends alternately sideward
What are the movements in Figure 2: Shield?
- Place right heel forward, arms sideward (counts 1-2); take six steps in place with hand movements.
- Place right heel forward twice.
- Take four steps turning right, maintaining hand movements.
- Repeat sequence, finishing facing the audience.
What are the movements in Figure 3: Sails?
- Step right foot forward with left arm high and left foot raised behind (count 1).
- Step left in place, turning hands up (count 2).
- Step right foot backward with left foot raised forward, arms in 2nd position (count 3).
- Step left in place, turning hands up (count 4).
What is the female dancer’s top in Sua-Ku-Sua?
• Top (Barawasi): Traditional loose blouse with long sleeves
• Deep, plunging keyhole neckline
• Extra panels attached to the chest decorated with tiny brass buttons
• Material: Printed or plain Chinese silk or cotton
What is the female dancer’s bottom in Sua-Ku-Sua?
• Pants (Sawal or Kantiu): Loose Chinese pants with a 10-inch soft white band (coco curdo) at the waist
• The white band is overlapped in front and rolled out to form a tight belt
• Material: Chinese silk or any silky material (navy blue, sunshine yellow, grass green, red, or orange colors)
What is the female dancer’s shoulder band and headpiece in Sua-Ku-Sua?
• Shoulder Band (Siyag):
• Separate wrap-around malong (rich material) strung over the right shoulder, crossing the chest, and hanging on the left side
• Headpiece:
1. Gold or brass filigree (Tusuk)
2. Paper bills pasted on slender sticks
3. Pasteboard cut-outs covered with gold foil (resembling Chinese crowns)
What accessories and footwear does a female dancer wear in Sua-Ku-Sua?
• Accessories:
• Gold or imitation gold earrings, necklace, bracelets, and brooches
• Footwear:
• Barefoot
