What is kinaban?

Kinaban, also spelled qeenapan or qenanapan, is an ancient Filipino writing system with a partially syllabic, partially alphabetic script. Kinaban is a pre-Hispanic Philippine script that was used in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Northern Luzon. It was one of the four major Philippine scripts prior to the introduction of the Latin alphabet by Spanish colonizers.

Kinaban is characterized by its angular geometric forms, which are a departure from the curvilinear designs present in other Philippine writing systems like Baybayin and Kulitan. The script consists of 20 distinct characters, each with different phonetic values, including both consonants and vowels.

The origins and exact timeline of Kinaban's usage are still subjects of debate among scholars. Some believe it developed between the 11th and 16th centuries, while others suggest it may have an even earlier existence. Regardless, it's believed to have shared cultural connections with other Southeast Asian writing systems like Kawi script, which was common in Java, Sumatra, and Malaysia.

The name "Kinaban" is said to be a vernacular term that refers to the wooden plank or bamboo strip on which the script was typically written. It was used to record folklore, legends, genealogies, and important stories.

While the widespread application of Kinaban decreased with the introduction of the Latin script, it still holds significant cultural importance as an indigenous Filipino script. Kinaban is sometimes used today as a decorative motif in art, as well as in reviving cultural traditions and identity exploration in the Northern Luzon region.