Kinding Sindaw, Honoring the Ancestors in New York City
by Sofía Mareque
Potri Queano and her daughter Malaika Queano photographed by Sofía Mareque on April 21, 2024 on the left hand side, and photographed by Corky Lee in the 1990s on the right hand side.
Kinding Sindaw is a nonprofit dance theater company composed of indigenous tradition bearers.
Kinding translates to “graceful movement or dance”, and sindaw means “light or to spark”, and 32 years after its official registration as a non-profit, the group continues to shed light through movement on the indigenous traditions of the Philippines.
It was founded in 1990 by Potri Ranka Manis Queano Nur, daughter of Sultan a Gaus of the Royale House of Borocot the 15th Pagawidan of the Pat Pengempong a Ranao.
Potri means “princess” in the Southern Philippines. Raised in Lanao del Sur with an intimate knowledge of the indigenous cultures of various tribes in Mindanao, Potri grew up learning about the dances and epics of her ancestors and performing political theater.
A registered nurse, Potri was recruited to serve in understaffed hospitals at the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
She moved with her husband Dr. Nonilon Queano, a doctor of comparative literature who taught at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Their daughter Malaika was born in New York, and Kinding Sindaw predates her birth.
As soon as she arrived in the United States, Potri was determined to not only preserve the indigenous cultures of the Philippines, but to share it with Filipino Americans, and make sure her daughter never lost touch with it. She started small, by teaching the children she babysat traditional dances.
Famous Asian American photographer Corky Lee saw them practicing in their early days in Union Square park and began documenting them.
Lee served on their board of directors and was instrumental in raising their first $10,000, and as the cofounder of the Asian American Arts Alliance helped them get funding and become a legitimate nonprofit.
Kinding Sindaw eventually grew to be a recognized Filipino cultural institution that’s performed at venues like Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The Puffin Room, Riverside Church, Mulberry Street Theater, and Wave Hill.
Archival image of a Kinding Sindaw performance, courtesy of the Corky Lee foundation.
Diane Camino has been dancing with Kinding Sindaw since 1994.
“We’re not just performing, we’re honoring the living traditions. The diaspora will remind everyone that these traditions are still practiced”
While they put on productions, their work extends beyond the stage. They also perform at colleges, schools, public libraries, and organize workshops for children and communities that are interested in learning more about their traditions.
Today, young members of Kinding Sindaw continue to learn from Potri, who teaches traditions and dances, and her husband Nonilon, who teaches the kulintang and percussion.
Nestled between Lafayette and Bowery Street at La MaMa Theatre, Kinding Sindaw is nurturing and passing on indigenous traditions that have existed for thousands of years, 8207 miles away, and sharing it with young Filipino Americans.
“In honor of our ancestors who created and transmitted these traditions to us. With open hearts we will take these with our mind, body, and soul and with humility we bow as we use these to empower us as we walk our path.”