MUSDIKS:dalit

Word: dalit

Source of Term: Filipino Heritage vol. 7

Language:Tagalog

Category: Genre

Description: A lament song which is ( more for the bereaved than for the dead) sung while the corpse

lies in state, during the pawakas or on the first anniversary. Some families begin singing the dalit

immediately after the dead has been dressed, while others wait until the burial. During the third

or ninth night, and during the pawakas, a community prayer for the departed is held, after which

food is served. At these times the dalit is sung either in tambakan or in duplo.