TINIKLING (tih-NIHK-lihng)

Honored as the Philippine National Dance, Tinikling, also known as the Bamboo Dance, is a favorite dance in the central Visayan Islands of the Philippines, especially in Leyte Province where it originated.  The dancers imitate the tikling birds' legendary grace and speed as they skillfully play, chase each other, run over tree branches, or dodge bamboo traps set by rice farmers.