Transcreation of Select Darangen Texts to Manga to Comprise a Collection of Children's Literature

Abstract

This transcreation project was undertaken to address urgent felt needs: 1) to wrest from oblivion Meranaw cultural/literary gems, specifically the crown of Meranaw literary achievement, the Darangen epic, which is recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as part of the world cultural heritage; 2) to instill in the present and future generations of Meranaws pride in, and appreciation of, their rich and unique cultural heritage which forms a vital part in their identity, and stem their increasing alienation from their roots; 3) to respond to the problem of lack of instructional/reading materials in Meranaw for MTB-MLE or K to 12 pupils (particularly Grade 3 to 10 pupils); 4) to help in the popularization of Meranaw narratives and increasing readership by making them more accessible and more comprehensible through their transcreation to manga; 5) to cultivate in young students interest in reading and develop in them critical literacy through more engaging reading materials; and 5) to serve as a countervailing force against powerful forces, specifically modernization, Western influence, and globalization, that have the effect of killing off cultures of weaker minority groups.

The project involved the transcreation or adaptation to manga form of stories from the Darangen to comprise a collection or anthology of Children's Literature that is culture- or community-based. Firstly, these reading materials shall serve a more utilitarian purpose: as instructional/reading materials for K to 12, specifically Grade 3 (MTB-MLE), students. Although the texts are first rendered in the Meranaw language, their utility need not be restricted to Grade 3. Through translation to English, their use can be extended to higher grade levels, 4-10.

The manga form adds to the visual attractiveness or appeal and impact of the texts as instructional/reading materials. Transcreation, an interpretation in its own right, is hoped to contribute to the popularization of an art/ literary form that is dangerously on the verge of extinction.

The ten (10) texts or episodes selected by a rigorous process from the voluminous epic make up the envisioned collection of Darangen manga: Paganay Kiyandato o Diwata Ndaw Gibon sa lliyan a Bembaran; Paramata Gandingan; Alongan Pisaeyanan: So Kiyaprawa'a ko Lawanen (Kapmabaning); Kormatan Borodan: Sawolaya sa Lego: Sandalinayan Sirig; Kangginasaan a Oray; Taratakan a Oray; and So Kiyandatu i Sayana sa Komara.

These texts are not only for reading pleasure and for use as instructional materials. More are a rich resource or trove of the belief system/worldview, values and ideals, traditions and practices of the ancestors of the Meranaws before the advent of Islam. In fact, Darangen scholars regard the epic as a kind of Charter (anonen a rawaten) by which latter-day Meranaws steer or are guided.

The higher goal of the project is to arrest the widening of the gap between the present generations of Meranaw and their native cultural heritage. Before young Meranaws alienation from their cultural heritage becomes irreversible, intervention must be provided by institutions, specifically schools and mass media.