The two-volume work describes the role of music in Maguindanao society, and analyzes examples that represent a cross-section of its musical repertoire. A description of Maguindanao culture precedes a detailed discussion of instruments and vocal music. Each musical instrument is described according to its social setting. The study shows that among the Maguindanaons, music is largely taken as entertainment rather than as ritual and that improvisation on a loose set of melodic patterns characterize both instrumental and vocal music.