Abstract
The word “kalag” is equivalent to “kaluluwa” or “ikarurua” in other Philippine ethno-linguistic groups. It also means a ghost or spirit derived from the Spanish word “muerto,” pertaining to the souls of the deceased. Additionally, “kalag” carries a meaning related to the act of untying knots, ropes, or anything similar. Through the use of critical analysis of selected Philippine fiction, the act of haunting is seen as a transgressive metaphor: the one residing, the one returning carries an ingrained history of the bayan or the nation. Therefore, the concept of kalag transcends temporal boundaries to once again free the spirit subdued by colonialism and neocolonialism. The aesthetics of haunting are deeply rooted in our culture and history. The Western perspective that the soul is the principle of life for the body is interwoven with its indigenous view, embracing its plurality and connection to nature. It not only pertains to liberating ideas but also to reclaiming power. Literature is a repository of memories of the bayan and becomes the caretaker of the collective memory of its collective experience of history and continuing history.
Presenters
Maricristh MagalingAssociate Professor, Departament of Philippine Studies, Bulacan State University, Bulacan, Philippines
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Haunting, Literature, Transgressive Metaphor, History in Literature, Fiction
