Title: Dissecting Subanen Narratives: A Literary Study of Structure, Style, and Symbolism
Authors: Rogene Jade B. Mangaron; Alma Q. Balajula, Authors; Frederick P.Grengia
Volume: 9
Issue: 7
Pages: 69-79
Publication Date: 2025/07/28
Abstract:
This paper explores the internal literary mechanics of selected Subanen short stories through a formalist lens, with the aim of foregrounding their narrative structure, stylistic features, and artistic techniques. Despite the wealth of indigenous oral and written literature in the Philippines, much of it-including Subanen narratives-remains underrepresented in formal literary discourse. Instead, existing studies tend to focus on ethnographic or cultural analyses, often overlooking the literary merit of these texts. Responding to this gap, the study employs a descriptive qualitative approach, analyzing four Subanen short stories based on key formalist elements such as plot development, characterization, setting, point of view, and thematic coherence. The findings reveal that Subanen narratives display distinct literary traits, including cyclical storytelling, non-linear narrative progression, and symbolic use of natural and moral motifs. These features not only demonstrate the textual richness and coherence of the stories but also reflect deeper cultural values embedded in the Subanen worldview. Moreover, the integration of traditional oral storytelling techniques with written literary form highlights the evolving nature of indigenous literature. This study affirms the literary significance of Subanen storytelling and argues for its rightful place in academic and literary analysis. By bringing indigenous texts into formalist frameworks, the research promotes a more inclusive and representative literary canon. It further advocates for future comparative studies across indigenous literary traditions, reinforcing the importance of preserving both the form and function of these valuable narrative artifacts.