The History of the Tinikling and Evolution of the Dance

The first time you’ve seen the Tinikling dance, you’ve probably thought to yourself something along the lines of, “Yikes, that’s going to hurt.” This is because the Tinikling is danced between two large bamboo poles that are clapped together as dancers follow the beat of the music to avoid their ankles getting caught.

The Tinikling originated during Spanish colonization of the Philippines. Historical accounts describe that rice farmers on the island of Leyte set bamboo traps on their fields to protect them from the tikling birds - where the name Tinikling comes from. The farmers imitated the movement of the tikling birds as they slyly dodged the bamboo traps.

If you’re curious about another account of Tinikling’s origins, legend has it that Spain forced Philippine locals to work on large plantations, and those who resisted the orders, or were not competent in the work, were punished. This punishment came in the form of two bamboo poles, in which the locals were forced to stand in between as the Spanish clapped them together to beat their feet. As Filipinos attempted to avoid punishment and jump when the poles would clap, the dance eventually transformed into what we know it for today.

In the same way that this traditional dance has transformed from its original intentions, Filipinos around the globe both carry its traditional Philippine format, as well as innovate based on the cultural influences that they grew up with. I’ll use myself as an example.

In 2012, I learned the traditional Tinikling and performed it with my Ate (older sister) at a high school talent show. Five years later, I joined UCLA’s PCN (Pilipino Cultural Night), where we danced the Tinikling with a larger group and more bamboo sticks. This happens to also be the most watched Tinikling video on YouTube! (And yes, that is me dabbing at 3:14.) One year after that performance, I created a video that combined Tinikling with Breaking (an American-born dance style), and that video drew up a lot of questions of whether or not traditional dances should be changed in such a way. And of recently, One Down created a new format of video called, The One Down Tinikling Round, in which we interview Filipinos as they dance the Tinikling.

I recently saw a video circulated labeled “Gen Z Tinikling,” where Filipino college students danced the Tinikling to modern music and applied choreography to the dance as well. A lot of people were both in awe and up in arms over this. And here’s where I stand: I think this is amazing. If not for these new ways of dancing and finding our love and connection to our culture, many Filipino Americans may not even know what the traditional dance is. Let me also include that before they performed this “Gen Z Tinikling” dance, they did perform the traditional format, but most internet trolls won’t give them the benefit of that doubt.

From a data perspective, the videos and performances that I’ve been a part of have been viewed globally by millions of people; the impact of that means that our culture has been seen and showcased to many. And for me, that’s important, and likewise, I find it crucial to continue to preserve the history and tradition of the Tinikling, while also leaving room for folks to find their personality and artistic expression in the dance.

Because I am based in Los Angeles, I’ll leave you with 2 groups that continue to uphold and preserve Philippine Folk Arts. I encourage you to check them out and support them. Understand the cultural nuance of these traditional dances - and not just Tinikling - but the many folk dances that are associated with different regions of the Philippines. Kayamanan ng Lagi and Malaya Dance.