Images in the Meranaw Rina-Rinaw: An Intertextual Criticism

This study aims to discover the images in the Meranaw rina-rinaw and the distinctive features that make it sui generis. Through intertextual criticism, this study determines how faithful the rina-rinaw has remained to the prototype, the traditional bayok, or how far it has drifted from the latter. Specifically, this study seeks to do the following: (1) to characterize the imagery of the rina-rinaw; and, (2) to analyze how these images in rina-rinaw text represent the modern Meranaw culture. The findings revealed that the rina-rinaw texts employ a rich variety of imagery which are the essential stuff of which songs are made to draw traction and engage the listeners. They vivify the experience or world portrayed in the songs. These images found in the rina-rinaw texts are representations that connect meaning and language to culture. Most importantly, this study poses a challenge to future researchers to attempt forays into other aspects of the Meranaw culture. This study on the rina-rinaw as one of the many “undocumented” Meranaw art forms provides only a foretaste of much more that the unique and rich Meranaw cultural heritage has to offer.