Tausug Folk Literature

“People of the current” is the translation of the word Tausug. “Tau” means man and “sug” means current. Tausug people are the majority Islamized group in Sulu. They have a total number of population at around 502,918 and most of them are predominant in the northern part of the Sulu province. The name of their province Sulu came from their own language “sulug” or “sug” which means “ocean current” and the name Jolo is the Spanish word for corruption.

Tausug literature is very rich. It includes prose, poems, narrative and nonnarative forms. The content of their literatures are classified into two: folk literatures that are closely related to the life of indigenous people and second is Islamic which is based in Quran or from Hadith (sayings) and Sunna (traditions and practices) of the prophet Muhammad.

Tausug ver owns “ tigum-tigum” are either asked in casual conversation or sung during celebrations, but in both cases, the answer is volunteered as soon as the audience has given up guessing. In form, they may be in quatrain form (when sung), in rimed couplet, or in prose. Common subjects include flora and fauna, house-hold items, climate, topography, celestial bodies, human anatomy, food, games, and religious practices (Tuban 1977:101, 108, 111-112).

As with other ethnolinguistic groups, Tausug ulasaalaa (proverbs) represent a world view and their perspective on life. It is often quoted at various times during celebrations, in moments of joy, sadness, or disappointments. Proverbs for them also serve an educational purpose, teaching the young Tausu about the society (Tuban 1977:140). Many Tausug proverbs often reveal dominant ethnic characteristics. For example, Gam muti in bukug, ayaw in tikud-tikud which means it is better to die rather than run away from trouble. The proverbs symbolizes the courage of the Tausug to do heroic act upon living. Another example is in tau nagbubuluk bihasa mahumu marayaw in parasahan niya which means a person who works hard often has a comfortable life. In the mentionesd proverb it is implied that the Tausug people are hardworking people because if they will not, they will not have an abundant life. On the other hand, the faith and beliefs on God of Tausug people is also evident in their proverbs, Tuhan in paunahun, ha unu-unu hinangun, minsan kaw malaung, maluhay kaw maapun which can be translated as God must be first before you do anything else, even if you make a mistake, you will be easily forgiven.

In Tausug courtship, Tilik or love spells are done by Tausug men principally to win a woman's heart. However, other uses Tilik to make themselves appear attractive, to calm angry feelings, to weaken an enemy, to attract customers and others. Tilik are considered sacred and should not be revealed. It is recited so that the angels and the prophet will appear in the beloved woman's dream. The incantation is accompanied by three taps on the corner of a pillow, which is then inverted (Tuban 1977:105-106). For instance, Kaddim alua hi dua, Magsailu kita alua Alua mumari kaku'! Alua ku mattun kaymu, Bang adlaw aku in ha atay mu Bang dum aku in ha mata mu Iya Mikail, iya Sarapil, iya Gibrail, iya Muhammad Pasabisabilra niyu aku Katua niyu kaku' hi (name of the girl). Pukawa! Barakat Laillahailqulla Barakat duwa Muhammad Razurulla. In English, our two souls are chained, let's exchange our souls, your soul will come to me; my soul will go to you. At daytime I'm in your heart, at night time I'm in your eyes. O Michael, O Raphael, O Gabriel, O Muhammad. I am inviting you to go to [name of woman]. Wake her up? God's blessings! Blessings of Muhammad!

Other literature of Tausug is daman. Daman are poetic dialogues or advice used in courtship as well as in rites accompanying marriage. The language used is antiquated, and hence it is difficult to understand. Through a daman, a suitor can present his feelings in a polite and metaphorical way (Rixhon 1974a:41-44). Like for instance, when the subject of discussion is delicate, one which carries a sexual implication, the daman is usually preferred to avoid giving offense. (Rixhon 1974a:45-46). Otherwise, a daman is also used in courtship when the father of the young woman discovers a young man wandering around the area of the house.

Not originally mine, it's only a summary and a little review
Source (Seminar, many sites in the web)