Uwang Ahadas

Uwang Ahadas^[1] is a Filipino folk musician of the Yakan people who is a recipient of the National Living Treasures Award.^[2]

Background[]

Uwang Ahadas was born on February 16, 1945.^[3] He went near blind when he was five years old. People in his community believed that this was due to retribution of nature spirits which lived in Bohe Libaken, a creek where Ahadas frequently bathe in. Ahadas along with his siblings musicians were taught how to play Yakan traditional instruments as children. He first learned how to play the gabbang, a wooden bamboo instrument similar to the xylophone then learned how to play the agung^[4] an instrument traditionally played by Yakan men.^[2]

By age 20, Ahadas had already mastered the kwintangan which is considered as the most important Yakan musical instrument despite the instrument traditionally reserved for women.^[2] He can also play the tuntungan.^[5]

He taught his children how to play Yakan traditional instruments, including Darna who would later become a teacher of these traditions herself. Ahadas went on to promote these traditions outside his native town of Lamitan, Basilan.^[4]

Ahadas was recognized as a National Living Treasure by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in the year 2000.^[6]

References[]