Wooden Jewelry Tree Stand
The nightmare of Tora-Tora
The nightmare of Tora-Tora
Johnnie Lim
I
1975, Pasila, Sulu, Philippines – The sky was clear, cloudless, and as crystal. The scorching heat of the sun shining on the shore. But a brief rain and I'm forced Pindatun Wann i under the tree. Then in a moment, a stunning rainbow was visible. "Abdel Abdel …!" A familiar voice echoed distance. It was not uncommon to hear abuh b Insih call me. His voice disturbed flocks were taking the time on trees Buwahan. Was stronger than before.
"Abs, you are called. We will keep hunting birds in the afternoon," suggested Pindatun. But I think this still not time to eat, I cried. "Maybe it takes you to the city," said Pindatun. "Ville?" He did not mention anything to me, "he said." Mom told me last night that the barangay captain's son is married now. I know she will go with your b abuh Insih "confirmed Pindatun.
So I ran in haste on 'babuh Insih s the voice of my wine. "I'm here!" I he shouted. "You should have been not far from home, Abdel," babuh Insih said. "Come with me. Let's go home Askali Utoh. His oldest son is getting married today. And … They invite me to sing "Lugu." She continued.
II
Most visitors had fun at the Pag-Imun-Imun. Everybody was there. I was so happy to see familiar faces in everything. Pindatun was there. He wore his father's Armalite. So I joined seated at a long table serving native cakes, such as Bang-Bang Hantak, Sasagun, Bawlu, Pangane, DURULES, Jah Pitis, Aral, Pasung, Jualan and many others. We ate one and I realized that each of us received three glasses. The first glass is filled with coffee, tea filled second and the third was filled with water.
Later, it was full of luruk parkalah the neighborhood. Many of them were gunmen. Each of them carried a gun. But it was too new to me. The women glowed in stained clothes very exaggerated pieces of jewelry that was so certain were gold. Find Abs, the ladies to dance Pangalay. Come close and take a look, "Pindatun guests.
Three ladies and danced Sawwal colorful Batawi gracefully. They were accompanied by traditional music performed by four men sitting side by side. A kulintang beautiful sound, tabungguh, g Andang Agong mixed yes. A few minutes later a man walked into the ladies and put some bills or cut into the shoulder as a form of recognition for good performance. It was Datu Al-Mujiv groom. It was followed by his father and brothers. Here are some of luruk did the same thing.
III
"Abdul," a voice called me. But this was the voice of a man. "We have to leave this place as soon as possible. The soldiers are there." Pindatun reported. "But where are we going? It's very dark there. Why not sleep in this paksul and wait until you get tomorrow? "I explained." There is no time to discuss, Abdel. Everybody is moving now, "said Pindatun." We gotta get out of this place. Come on! "Babuh Insih said. I was so reluctant to leave the paksul. We been at it for a while and it was too cumbersome to move from one place to another. It seemed an endless caravan, without a specific destination. My feet were swollen almost pain night. And so was my stomach. I sat, leaning against the concrete wall, dark and smelly paksul Nations Together. "Get out of here now, because they are close …. Hurry!" Pindatun urged. Suddenly a huge explosion broke the silence of the night shivering all corners of the square. It was followed by a terrifying noise affecting several coconut trees. Tapah burning fire. The houses were destroyed. In my mind I saw a giant demon in the flames. A demon that devours anything or anyone is found along its path. The sight was terrifying. And I could not remember how I managed to jump from the deep excavation when another bomb was dropped by plane fear. And before the bomb exploded in the third place, I found running to the darkest jungle. Is … I saw a number of people fleeing in the same direction …. Trembling …. Scrapie. And if it was easy to recognize anyone knew were the families who fled their homes and properties. The horrible noise of lethal weapons against them. "Run Run …!" An elder of the group shouted loudly. In fear and confusion, fled shouting "Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar!". At my age, I have a good idea to do this. But soon, he fell and died …. Homeless. So we all sat in silence … Wishing it was over. With the hope that the angels came to save us … but there was none. The angels have been deaf and blind at night. In my mind, I saw the stars in the sky and heard the cry of hungry children, I thought God was stayed by the prayers have been answered well. Only hope remained as a weapon in everyone's heart. The hope of survival. Life expectancy. It was the weapon that made us afraid. The weapon is priceless, which gave more space to conquer the fear from our minds. Then, under the trees, we sat in silence … Helpless but determined. Then, in another paksul still great, hid in a safe and waited until morning.
IV
Everything was still fresh in my mind. The scene was as clear as babuh Insih the charming voice echoing around the Lugu sing. The food was so attractive that I could not resist until I felt something strange in the stomach, a call of nature. So with Pindatun, quickly sought a large tree in the backyard where I could throw my trash. And finally, we have made without interruption. I could still hear the Lugu "of babuh Insih, the sound of all luruk kulintang laughter and. "Are you done?" Asked Pindatun. "Yes, I replied. "But there is no water here," I complained. "Is this a problem? Look, there are plenty of coffee around leaves" Pindatun laughed.
But the match was bloody when a Tora-Tora quickly turned and dropped a bomb. In an instant, a terrible explosion its soil. By and dust filled the air. "Ilaha Lailah!" Shouted a man in the house. Pindatun and I've been very lucky. We continue to hide Durian under a big tree. We knew that many were injured … many died. It was the last day, I heard the lovely voice of my babuh Insih. The voice that at times I hated hear every time I said do not hang out with friends. But at that moment, I missed her. I would have liked to turn back time, but it's over.
V
"Where are you, love?" I asked my child. "For the market. Where is Your inappropriate? "I asked." It is in the neighborhood. Are not you coming with us, love? "My son continued. "Why, Where will you go with INAH, Salih?" I studied. "For the next street. The counselor will hold its pagkawin child today. "Salih said.
Vocabulary Guide
Agong – gong is different from a normal rate. This is a metal basin and music in general successful in the rear to produce sound.
love – means that the parent
babu "- means aunt
bang bang – or biscuits Confectionery media
Batawi – it's usually a blouse with gold accents artistic or silver buttons called Tambuku "by the natives.
Bawlu – Is one of the cakes Tausug as a cup cake.
Buwahan – Media Lanzone
Aral – is one of the Tausug meat pies grated coconut cooked with brown sugar and covered with a lumpia wrapper similar.
DURULES-pie is one of the Tausug. It is soft and black in appearance with hair wrapped in banana leaves sizes.
Hantak – is one of the "cookies" Tausug wrapped in white sugar.
Ina – mother means
Jah – is one of the Tausug cakes made of rice flour with sugar. Fry in the form of art in a way lighter. By Luuk, is triangular.
Juwalan – Banana Split is fried.
Kulintang – music is a tool composed of String metal plates arranged in accordance with the support size of a boat-shaped wooden stand.
Lugu "- Is a song often sung during Mauluddin Nabi to celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammad (SAW).
Luruk – means visitors
Pag-Imun Imun – Means for collecting
Pagkawin – mass wedding
Paksul – an excavation is usually found deep a local home where they hide to protect themselves from gunfire or any other bomb blast.
Pangalay – Is a native dance in Sulu usually attended by the musical background kulintang, Agong and Tabunggu "when finished. Now, the background music is available on CD.
Pangane-is one of the Tausug cakes made from flour mixed with roasted corn flour and sugar wrapped in an elegant way. Usually black in appearance.
Panyam is a Tausug cakes made of rice flour with sugar and natural flavor usually comes from Durian. Fry them in different sizes. The Luuk panyam is greater.
Parkala "- means an opportunity
Pasung – is one of the cakes Tausug a rice flour with sugar wrapped in banana leaves and steam in a cone shape. Color varies. Is brown sugar, so Brown is used. It is white, if the white sugar used.
Pitis – is one of the rice cakes buckwheat Tausug special "Putana 'with sugar and nuts coconut milk wrapped in banana leaves.
Sasagun – is one of the cookies made with flour and cornmeal Tausug common sugar melts easily when consumed in the mouth.
Sawwal Square Pants is a great variety of colors usually used for Muslim holidays and marriage.
Tabunggu "- is a wooden instrument shaped tube whose top and bottom are covered animal skins in general that the cow, being beaten to produce the sound.
Tapah – Is it a semi-house where the Indians as part cooking coconut meat by allowing the smoke to dry the meat before drying in the sun's heat and then sold to the distributor Abaca
Wanni - The handle is a kind commonly used in Sulu
About the Author
Johnnie J. Lim is a graduate of Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Philippines with Master of Arts in English. He was an Editor-in-Chief during his college at Mindanao State University where he finished his Bachelor of Science in Education major in English and graduated as journalist of the year.
In 2008-2009, he worked as an English teacher in Non-Destructive Testing Technology Institute, 2nd Industrial City of Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he taught General English to college students. In 1998-2008, He worked as an English teacher and later became the Language Coordinator in Notre Dame of Jolo College, Jolo, Sulu, Philippines. He also served as one of the representatives of the American Studies Program Committee through the initiative of the Thomas Jefferson Information Center of US Embassy Manila in putting up American Studies Resource Centers in some of the colleges/universities in the Philippines. In 1994-1996, he worked as a high school English teacher and adviser of the school paper in Luuk National High School, Luuk, Sulu, Philippines.
Mr. Lim has conducted a research entitled “Students’ Reactions on Code Switching among Teachers”. He is also conducting studies about mysticism.
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