Click here to view (pdf file): THE SULTAN MATAGMAMA SA BARONGIS LINEAGE AND GENEALOGY
Decendants of Sultan Matagmama sa Balongis
Monthly Archives: December 2010
Magola Katemba (Maguindanaon Cinderella Story)
Magola Katemba came from the word “maga ulak a ka temba” which literally means “it’s like the flower of katemba,” meaning color “violet”
When I was a little kid, before going to bed, my mother would tell a story about Magola Katemba. I only heard this from her, so I want to document it and share it with you. (Some names are changed because I can’t recall it).
The story goes like this:
Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful and jolly girl named Magola Katemba. She lived on a hillside with her father, Alimudin. Her mother died when she was a little girl. Her father is a hunter and more often she is left alone in their nipa hut. Aside from being a hunter, her father also had a big rice field. Her father is a very good hunter and a handsome man.
Magola Katemba wanted to have a new mother and she would urge her father to marry. One day, new neighbors moved in. They came from a far away town. They were Babo Kegong and her daughter Kanisan (literally means “so beautiful”).
Magola Katemba was happy when she found out about their new neighbors. She would visit their house and Babo Kegong would comb her hair. Magola Katemba asked her father to marry Babo Kegong. She shared to her father how she wanted to have a mother and a sister.
Soon Alimudin married Babo Kegong. Babo Kegong and her daughter Kanisan were kind at first because Alimudin was getting big money from their rice fields and from selling meats. Babo Kegong was impressed by Alimudin’s fortune.
Soon after, pests attacked their rice field and their harvest was low. Alimudin would haunt for a several weeks to provide for his family. Babo Kegong turned wicked and turned Magola Katemba into a servant, requiring her to work all day long. So the poor girl found everything at home changed for the worse.
Their farm-workers stopped so Magola had to do all the farm works. She would put the rice under the sun to dry and pound them. Babo Kegong would only give her porridge, with dried nasal mucus or a booger and snoot. (ewww, it was an old belief that if one puts booger or snoot in one’s food, that person will be under his/her control; the person will follow everything he/she would say).
Her father would ask her why she’s growing thin and looked pale. Her step-mother would answer that Magola Katemba eats first during meal time and sleeps all the time.
She bore all her hardships with patience and grace, not even complaining to her father, and, in spite of her hard toil, she grew more lovely in face and figure every year.
One day, a one-week fair was organized near their place. Dayunday, games and shows were showcased during the fair. There was also a whale show at the fair. The smart, female whale, Dalabong, was owned by a kind man named Abdul.
One day, Magola Katemba went to the market and watched the show. She soon became attached to the whale and after the fair, Abdul gave Darabong to her. She housed Dalabong to the old well where she used to fetch water.
Magola Katemba would visit Darabong every time she fetches water below the hillside and would feed Dalabong:
“Dadalabong, dadalabong, gemaw ka pan ka nya den su binubog nengka a sinimbulan sa pingat at sinudsakan sa ngug”
Translation: Dalabong, dadalabong, please show up… here’s your porridge sprinkled with booger and mashed with snot.
Dalabong grew bigger and bigger and soon after the whale developed a breast. Dalabong soon had a mammary gland and milk flowed in her breast. Her milked tasted like the breast milk of Magola Katemba’s mother when she was alive.
This time, Dalabong would feed Magola Katemba with her milk. Magola Katemba grew healthy and looked more beautiful. Babong Kegong and Kanisan were amazed. They were intrigued where Magola Katemba got her energy.
One day, they secretly followed Magola Katemba and they saw Dalabong. When they returned home, Babo Kegong pretended that she’s not feeling well and had a morning sickness. She told Alimudin that she might be pregnant. She said that the only food that could make her feel okay is a breasted-whale with milk.
Alimudin was shocked, where in the world would he get a breasted-whale with milk. Babo Kegong said that Magola Katemba has a pet called Dalabong, a breasted whale with milk.
Alimudin asked Magola Katemba to give her pet and have it cooked. Then, Alimudin left to hunt in the forest. She cooked Dalabong and served her favorite pet to her step-mother. Her step-mother and step-sister ate all the fish while she was tending the rice field. They left nothing for Magola Katemba but fish bones.
In her loneliness, she used her imagination to comfort herself. She slept with tears in her cheeks. Then, she dreamed of a fairy that looked like her mother. The fairy said, “Plant the fish bones in eight holes.” Then, she was suddenly awaken by her step-mother’s yell. “There you are, you’re oversleeping again. Go get some water!”
The following morning, Magola Katemba planted the fish bones on top of the hill. Not long after she planted it, a plant sprouted on the eight holes. Eight healthy egg-plants grew on the eight holes with flowing milk that taste like her mother’s breast milk.
Once again, Magola Katemba grew healthy and glowing. Her step-mother and step-sister became suspicious. They followed Magola Katemba and discovered about the egg-plants.
He step-sister pretended she’s sick and told Alimudin that she will not live long if she cannot eat an egg-plant with milk. Alimudin was shocked for he had no idea where to get an egg-plant with milk. Her step-mother said that Magola Katemba had it.
Her father asked her to give her plant to save her step-sister’s life. Magola Katemba sadly gave the plant and cooked it for them. Her father soon left again to hunt in the forest. They gave nothing for Magola Katemba but the peelings and stems.
Magola Katemba cried all night long and the fairy showed again. “Plant the stems and peelings on four holes.” Magola Katemba planted the egg-plant peelings and stems the following morning in a nearby forest.
Few days later, she visited the site and she was amazed to see a golden nipa hut that stood on the four holes where she planted the peels and stems. She entered the house and when she was inside the the house lifted up and disappeared in the air.
Inside the golden and magical nipa hut, there are servants and golden kitchenwares, complete with all furnishings, agong, gandingan, kulintang and other brasswares. Then, she requested the servants to lower the house to the ground so that she can go back home.
She went home and worked as if nothing happened. She washed her step-sister and step-mother’s clothes, tended the rice field, pounded the rice, and plowed the rice field.
One day, the prince named Piolo Pascual, joke! … named “Datu Dangalan” went on a hunting game with his soldiers. The prince unknowingly stood below the invisible nipa hut. Things started to fall from the invisible house; the servants threw them to the prince to drive him away. Agong, brasswares and a golden slipper hit the prince. He was amazed where those things came from. A sharp arrow shot and pierced his feet.
He was aided by his soldiers and brought him to the palace. When they arrived his wound grew bigger and the arrow remained in his feet. No one in the palace could take the arrow from his feet. The quack doctors advised the prince to send people who will look for the owner of the golden slipper. The palace shamans also believed that the owner of the golden slipper is the only person that can remove the arrow on the prince’s feet.
Men from the palace where sent to nearby villages to look for the owner of the golden shoe. A news was also spread all over the place. The prince had it announced that the girl whose foot fitted the golden slipper would become his wife.
Babo Kegon and Kanisan heard about the news and they were eager to help the prince. Kanisan liked the prince very much and she wanted that the shoe will fit on her feet.
The palace men soon arrived at their house. They asked Kanisan to fit the shoe; she tried in vain to win over the prince. But her feet were smaller than the shoe. Her step-mother also tried the shoe but her feet were bigger than the shoe. The men asked if there are other young ladies in the house. Babo Kegong said none.
The men left the house and saw Magola Katemba at the back of their house pounding a rice. The men asked her to try the shoe. Her step-mother said she’s just a servant and her feet wont fit on the shoe. The palace soldier insisted. Magola Katemba tried the shoe and the slipper fitted perfectly. On that very moment, the arrow vanished and the wound of the prince disappeared.
Soon, a wedding at the palace was arranged. Her step-mother and step-sister grew jealous. They tried to look for the magical nipa hut wishing they can get fortune from it. Instead of fortune, they were welcomed by many arrows and step-mother and step-sister died there.
Alimudin returned home after several months of hunting. He learned about what happened and Magola Katemba shared all the things that happened while he was away. His father was so sorry about her hardships. He promised that it will not happen again …. and they lived happily ever after.
Maguindanaon Supertitious Beliefs
“If somebody innovates something which is not in harmony with the principles of our religion, that thing is rejected.” [Bukhari Book 49, Vol 3, No 861]
A compilation of some of superstitious beliefs and practices of the Maguindanaons. Some are freakin’ crazy and funny.
Some are SHIRK. In Islam, shirk (Arabic: شرك širk) is the sin of idolatry or polytheism, i.e. the deification or worship of anyone or anything other than the singular God, or more literally the establishment of “partners” placed beside God. It is the vice that is opposed to the virtue of tawhid (monotheism).
Within Islam, shirk is an unforgivable crime; God may forgive any sin except for committing shirk.
Believe it or not?
NAILS
1. Clipping the nails at night will make it look like a cat’s nails.
2. Clipping the nails at night will make you a thief.
MIRROR
1. If you are afraid of your reflection on the mirror, somebody will die
SLEEPING
1. Sleeping in the afternoon will make you sickly.
2. Taking sleeping mats and pillows during the night will bring bad luck. Somebody from your family will die.
NIGHT
1. If you play guessing game at night, a monster will appear and join you. (crazy one!)
2. Taking sleeping mats and pillows during the night will bring bad luck. Somebody from your family will die.
GIFT
1. Gifting a shirt to a your boyfriend/girlfriend will make the relationship short-live.
BUTTERFLY
1. Brown butterfly gives good luck
2. White and yellow butterflies give bad luck
3. If brown butterfly enters the house, it means good luck will soon happen
LIZARD
1. If a lizard falls on you, you will die soon or somebody in your family will die.
2. If a lizard makes a sound above your door, you will spend for something big or you will loose money or somebody will die.
3. Asthma can be cured by boiled lizard (lizard soup, ewww)
PREGNANCY
1. Do not partake of the food being eaten by an expecting mother. If you do, you will either become sleepy or will feel drowsy or sick.
FRIDAY
1. When one is wounded during Friday, much blood will ooze out.
WEDDING
1. The first to sleep (bride or groom) at night after the wedding day will die first.
2. The groom must arrive before the bride at the venue to avoid bad luck.
3. The member of the couple stands first after the ceremony, will die ahead of the other.
DEATH
1. If someone sneezes at a wake, he’s/she’s next to die. (scaryyyyy!)
2. When leaving the wake, do not turn your back or look again to that place; no pauses or stops in going home. Somebody will die if you do not follow this.
MOLES/BODY MARKS
1. A person with a mole on his foot is a born traveler/jet-setter.
2. People whose teeth are spaced far apart are “naughty” (malandi)
3. People with eyebrows that almost meet will have a wife/husband that is closely related to him/her by blood.
4. Women with wide hips will bear many children.
5. Women with thin ankles and fat legs will bear many children.
6. A person with a mole on his nose is slutty.
7. A person with a mole near or inside the nasal opening will become rich.
8. A mole on the hand signifies wealth or thievery.
9. If there is mole not covered when the fingers are curled into the palm and the thumb is retracted (fist), the person will lose money all the time.
10. A mole on one’s back is a sign of laziness.
11. A mole on one’s back is a sign that you will have children; they will die early.
12. A person with big ears will have a long life.
CHICKEN
1. Eating the butt part of the chicken will make you slutty.
MENSTRUATION
1. If the first menstruation happened while you are outside the house, it is most likely that you will elope or have pre-marital sex.
HOUSE
1. The number of steps in stairs in a house should be odd numbers in order to give the family good luck.
2. Sweeping the floor at night time also means sweeping away good luck or incoming money that will enter the house.
BABIES
1. Stepping over a child who is sleeping will hinder the child’s growth.
2. A baby who accidentally ate his poops will grow delinquent or disobedient.
3. A baby who urinates while crying will grow stubborn.
4. During labor, if a baby urinates, he/she will grow stubborn.
MORE TO COME….
Malong and Inaul Designs
The malong is a traditional “tube skirt” made of handwoven or machine-made multi-colored cotton cloth, bearing a variety of geometric or okir designs. The malong is akin to the sarong worn by peoples in Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. The malong is traditionally used as a garment by numerous tribes in the Southern Philippines and the Sulu Archipelago. (WikiFilipino)
The malong can function as a skirt for both men and women, a dress, a blanket, a sunshade, a bedsheet, a “dressing room,” a hammock, a prayer mat, and other purposes. A newborn is wrapped in a malong, and as he grows this piece of cloth becomes a part of his daily life. When he dies, he is once again wrapped in a malong. Among traditional tribal peoples, the malong is used in everyday life. Even in areas where people wear Western-style clothing during the day, the malong is commonly used as sleepwear.The malong is also used in very big festivals, they wear this to show respect.
Reference: From the Rainbow’s Varied Hue: Textiles of the Southern Philippines. Edited by Roy W. Hamilton. 1998. Fowler Museum of Cultural History, University of California at Los Angeles.
Ordinary Malong for Everyday Use: BATIK
Checkered on the rear right is called Ampik.
INAUL: Types of Inaul malong designs:
1. SIKO KALULANG
2. PIMBALAYAN
Photo from SALAISTA
3. BINALUDTO/BINUDTO – Rainbow
4. AMPIK A INAUL – checkered
5. SINUWATAN –
6. LANDAP – meaning “beautiful to look at.” It is handwoven and decorated with langket.
7. MUNTIA
8. MAKABINBAN – “meaning mesmerizing”
9. MAGABI SA MALMAG
=======================================================
WILL RESEARCH PA WHAT ARE THESE DESIGNS:
More to come, will do some research pa. =)
Maguindanaon Up Dos (Pinalutan)
Maguindanaon women usually and must grow their hair LONG. Short haircut is called “bunyaga,” from the word “banyaga” meaning slave. So, women of high social status should not cut their hair short.
1. MIDSALUNDUNG – described as hairstyle that fall just under the shoulders, untied.
PINALUTAN are everyday up-do hairstyle for women, usually for older Maguindanaons. According to Benjie of Pusaka Magazine (I borrowed from ARMM Library), there’s more to the swig of hair, the drooping tail, the parting; for it denotes character, origin, influences and most of all – PRIDE AND DIGNITY.
I just want to share it with you before these styles fade away with time and changes:
2. DISUMIMBA – Up-do on top of the head, like a Korean warrior Yu Shin Rang in Queen Seon Deok (lol). The bun is on the center of the head.
My mother told me that there was a famous man in Maguindanao and he’s name was Disumimba and he would tie his long hair like this:
I don’t know if the name of the pinalutan came from that man.
3. DINULAWAN – This was popularized by women from Dulawan (now called Datu Piang, Maguindanao). The bun is just above the forehead with small portion of the tips of the hair slightly pulled out. (nosebleed ko ani mag-english, huhuhu)
4. KABPINARUBAYAN OR KABPINALUBAYAN – It’s like midsalundong or sinalundong but tied at the end part. The word “pinalubayan” means loosened or un-tightened.
5. KANDINALUNGAN – It’s like Dinulawan but the bun on top of the head is at the left or right side, with longer parts pulled out. The word “dinalungan” means “covered.” Women would partly cover their face with their hairs, like a one-side bangs.
6. KABPINASUNDUNGAN – Bun is near the forehead, but the tips are swirled. The swirled portion may be placed at the side of the head or at the forehead.
7. INIRANON – Popularized by the Iranon tribe. It’s the usual up-do where the bun is in the nape area with hair tips swirling down.
8. MINARANAW – Popularized by the Maranao tribe. The bun is in the left or right side; with no swirls. It’s like a one-sided bun of the Inupakan style.
9. INUPAKAN – From the word “inupak” which means divided or halved. It is an round pig-tail up-do wherein the buns are in the left and right side of the head. It’s like having two tennis balls on the head. (LOL) Sometimes, women would braid their hairs and formed it like a bun. Braided hair is called “sinulapid.”
10. PINAGANAY – “Pinaganay” means “old and traditional.” Bun is in the nape area but with big bulge in the lower part of the nape.
I WILL POST THE PICTURE SOON. I AM STILL ON SEARCH OF MODELS THAT WILL MODEL THE HAIRSTYLES FOR ME… AND OUR CAMERA IS BROKEN!
When Islam came to the Philippines, women started to wear veils:
Photo from Flickr, owned by IDMC/F.Kok
Many years later, women would wear “lilit” or stylish, beaded or embroidered bonnet cap or head cover after performing a pilgrimage to Mecca. Later, women would not want to show-off their pinalutans and hairs anymore, wearing of hijab became prominent. Hijab is the headscarf worn by Muslim women. The veiling or seclusion of women in some Islamic societies, customarily practiced in order to maintain standards of modesty.
The first reason for wearing hijab is that it is a command from Allah subhanahu wa taala. Allah subhanahu wa taala specifically addresses women when He asks them not to show off their adornment, except that which is apparent, and draw their veils over their bodies. (Quran 24:30-31).
Hijab can be a symbol of piety and it can be a sign of great inner strength and fortitude. A woman wearing hijab becomes a very visible sign of Islam. While Muslim men can blend easily into any society, Muslim woman are often put on the line, and forced to defend not only their decision to cover, but also their religion. Nevertheless, women who wear hijab insist that the advantages far outweigh any disadvantage conjured up by media bias or general ignorance. (http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/2770/)
Hope you learned a lot about Maguindanaons and their traditional up-dos! Just like in the ancient Korean times, queens and princess would also show-off their styled up-do’s. In the modern times, traditional up-dos are coming out in the Korean fashion.
Maguindanaon Delicacies (Alugan)
1. Tinapayan – salted fish with fermented rice
2. Dudol –
Photo from PAMOBIETA
Photo from GRACINHAMARCO
3. Tinadtag – looks like crispy bihon noodles shaped in a triangle. It is made of finely ground rice mixed with sugar and fried until it is a crisp golden brown. To make tinagtag, the rice flour is soaked in clean water for a few minutes until it forms a sticky mixture. Then, it is placed in a coconut bowl with small holes, called a pangulayan. Using a circling motion, the cook then lets the mixture trickle through the holes into a pan of boiling oil, traditionally virgin coconut oil, to form a round shape. When the tinagtag is crisp, it is taken out with a wooden ladle called a gagawi, and placed on a tray where it is folded into a wedge shape. This whole cooking process is accompanied by the rhythmic sound of balabad (wooden sticks) drumming on a dabakan (a cask covered with animal skin). (from WikiPilipinas).
Photo from FOODANDCULTURE
4. Panialam
Photo from S-H-E-N-G
5. Bulwa
Photo from PAMOBIETA
6. Tipas
7. Pastil – Rice topped with flaked chicken wrapped in banana leaf
All photos courtesy of MANGUDADATU
8. Plil
9. Kumukunsi
10. Tapay –
11. Tinumis –
12. Wagit –
Photo from: www.thelongestwayhome.com
13. Takembul –
Maguindanaon Decorations
Examples of Maguindanaon decorations used during weddings or other special occasions.
1. PANDALA – Note that the manner of installing the flaglets should conform with the social status of the group that will use the decorative flags. For upper class people, it should be installed straight (see photo), for middle class and commoners, it should be in slanting manner.
There is also meaning in the number of big flags and the small flags.
2. SAMBULAYANG The sambulayang is usually placed at venue or the house of the bride and the groom during wedding ceremony.
3. LIKOS – New version of “Lansay.” It is used as attachment/embellishment on the mouldings or Home Furnishings-Curtains. It is also used as table swag.
4. BAGUIONTAY – It is a round pandala.
5. LANSAY – To be pronounced “laansay” with long A. They are fabric headings that are sometimes referred to as top treatments, like a Valance. Lansay can be embellished and given a sophisticated appearance with beads and strips of cloth.
6. ULUL – The upper class use royal color yellow and has intricate flower design on the middle.
Photo from DXUPFM
Maguindanaon Wedding (Kalilang)
NOTE: NEEDS EDITING – will do this some other time. For the meantime, please bear with the typos and grammatical errors. hahaha
A Maguindanaon wedding is an affair of the extended family. Since it is also a religious activity, one cannot limit the number of people who will attend the wedding. Wedding should be festive and everybody should be invited.
There are a lot of differences between the Maguindanaon cultural/traditional wedding and the Islamic wedding rites. There’s a clash between the cultural and the religious rites because some of the cultural practices are against Islamic teachings.
Disagreements arise if one side want the traditional wedding and the other side follows the Islamic rites. However, most Maguindanaons adopt both rites and fuse the two in the wedding ceremony (the cultural and Islamic).
This article is about the traditional/cultural Maguindanaon wedding rites. I will not discuss the Islamic rites because it can be easily found/researched in the internet.
Stages vary depending on the traditions practiced by each group of Maguindanaons. Below are practices of Maguindanaons in Datu Piang.
STAGE 1: KAPAPEMBETU
In this stage, the groom’s kins (kamaman) will assign a spokesperson and this spokesperson will inform the relatives or parents of the bride (kababayan) of the man’s intention to marry the girl. (in a way, this is an informal way of informing the girl’s side; also one way of knowing if they are welcome and allowed to proceed to next stage).
STAGE 2. KABPANGENGEDUNG
In local dialect, the term means “whispering.” The kamaman will formally approach the parents or relatives of the girl and inform them of the man’s intention to marry the girl and they will also inform the other side they are willing to comply with whatever requirements or requests that the kababayan will ask them. This time, there is also an assigned spokesperson from the side of the kababayan.
In this stage, the spokespersons of the two will be the one who will constantly communicate. The parents do not directly communicate with the other party.
STAGE 3. KAPANALANGGUNI
Once it is settled and the parents of the girl responded to the kabpangengedung of the kamaman, then a salangguni is set. The elders will determine the total amount of brideprice (dowry) and the items in the “panton” (requests).
Items usually discussed during the salangguni:
a. Wedding date
b. Tasks of both sides – In parentally-arranged marriage, both sides make the preliminary arrangements and preparations. If it’s not parentally-arranged, the kamaman are responsible in doing any chores involved in the wedding.
c. Settlement of the brideprice (dowry) – The following are the classification of dowry:
1. Kawa – this is the main dowry that must be paid in cash or in kind to be given to the side of the kababayan. It is divided among the kins of the bride (only those mainly involved in the wedding, usually the aunts, uncles, etc.). The amount of money may range depending on the social status of the parties entering the contract. It is non-refundable whether the wedding is canceled or not.
2. Mahr or Sunggudan – this is the brideprice. The amount depends on the social status of the bride: Datu/Bai (upper class), Dumatu (middle class), Endatuan (commoners). It must be in cash, or in the form of property (usually land) or combination of both.
d. Other things:
3. Siwaka – this consists of cosmetics or garments delivered to the bride after the approval of the proposal/salangguni.
4. Pangastulian – this is in the form of jewelry or gifts to gain immediate approval. (This is usually skipped.)
5. Bungkal sa Bilik – an extra dowry to be given during the salangguni.
6. Panton – Usually requested by kababayan of noble birth.
7. Langkad – is a sort of “fine” for passing over the bride’s older sister.
8. Samaya (promise) – a Maguindanaon practice that in the early infancy of the girl, the parents or some of the relatives may make a promise that if the girl gets married, they will demand some specific objects or rituals to be done (example, there must be mini-concert before the wedding night, etc).
9. Damak – this may form part of the panton; a tray of food to be delivered to the bride through a procession (rice cakes or native cookies).
10. Tangelen – personal effects to be given to the groom and bride during the wedding. Example HERE
11. Living room showcase – composed of beddings, dresser or other furniture depending on the requests and capacity of the groom.
When everything is settled, the would-be bride is placed under “Limbun.” Read more about Limbunan HERE
STAGE 4. KAPEGKAWING OR THE WEDDING PROPER
PRE-WEDDING CONCERT/PARTY – A small concert is organized by the kamaman called kapen-dayunday where local singers perform to entertain relatives who come one or two days before the wedding day.
See dayunday HERE
a. Procession of the damak. Then two girls are carried in a shoulder ride. The two girls should have complete parents (both alive, not separated).
b. The groom is taken first from his house or room. During procession, a group of dancers with effigy of a carabao will lead the procession.
c. Next in the procession are the “abay” (young men and/ women). Note: The abay (grooms men or grooms women) must be: with complete parents (mother and father, not deceased or separated; single and never been married. The male abay will carry the Maguindanaon umbrella called “sinilatan,” while the female abay will fan the groom.
d. The whole procession is called kuyug. In other practices, the groom will first get her bride in their house. Then they will side by side walk down the aisle during the kuyug. And while the “kulu” is done, the bride will sit on chair on the stage.
e. The groom is then made to sit near the center of the wedding place. The first step in solemnizing the ceremony is to have the groom perform an ablution. (This part may also be done before the kuyug). Using one of his feet, the groom steps on a pillow while the ustadz or imam will ask the groom and the father or male guardian of the bride will hold each others right hands. This is called “kulo” or “kapeg-kulu.” The ustadz or imam will ask the father/guardian of the bride if he accepts the groom as his daughter’s husband, then the groom will be asked if he accepts the daughter as his wife.
In other practices, after the “kulu,” the groom is asked if he accepts the bride as his wife, then the bride is asked if she accepts the groom as his husband. Then, the ustadz will hold the grooms hand which is covered with white handkerchief and will lightly rub the thumb of the groom to the forehead of the bride, going to the nose down to the chest. Then, they are pronounced as husband and wife.
f. There are also assigned witnesses to the wedding that will light their candles. At least four well-chosen ustadzes will solemnize the marriage ceremony.
Photo from Cusain and Utala Kalilang.
g. The groom will now get his bride from her house or from her room. First in the procession are the ped-sagayan or the sagayan dancers, followed by the groom with his grooms men and women (abay). They will return to the stage, with the bride
Another practice is that the groom will wait in the stage and the bride will ride the ginakit/guinakit. Only bride with royal blood can ride the ginakit carried by men. I will look for a nice picture and change this one later.
h. The bride and the groom will stand side by side on the stage, bride on the right and groom on the left side. Then, the bride will be seated while the groom will stand. The ustadz will hold the grooms hand which is covered with white handkerchief and will lightly rub the thumb of the groom to the forehead of the bride, going to the nose down to the chest. Then, they are pronounced as husband and wife.
i. They will listen to the sermon of the imam about marriage. The imam will read few verses from the Quran. This is called Khutbatun Nikah (This is an Arabic term meaning marriage sermon).
j. They coin bearer will give the money to the officiating ustadz, he will give it to the groom and the groom will give it to the bride, then the bride will give it back to the groom. This symbolizes that the man should give his earnings to his wife to support the family and the wife should handle their finances well. The ustadz can give additional sermon or advices to the couple if he likes or other ustadzes can do so.
k. The couple are then led to a well-covered tray with food. (The covering is called tudung; and the tray is called bandihaw). The tray of food is consist of cooked rice, and one full of chicken. This food is offered to the groom in which he is made to choose the part of the chicken he likes. This part is called “Kapedsungita.”
The imam or some elders will take note of the part of the chicken he choose. According to Maguindanaon folk belief, the grooms choice determines the way that life he and his wife will lead to in their married life (Guiam, G. 1984).
KAPENDALAPITA
Before sunset, after the ceremony, another ritual must be done wherein the bride will go the house of the groom and the groom will go to the house of the bride.
1. The bride will first change her attire (usually long sleeve silk and inaul, this set is called “pedsalinan”). The groom will also change his clothes.
2. They will go to the house of the groom first. Food is served for the newly-wed couple and their relatives. All people participating in the pendalapita should not stop at any place or go somewhere else, they must go directly to the house of the groom. The parents or kins of the groom will give the couple a jar with thread, money (60 or 600 pesos), a cotton and other lucky charms.
3. Then they will go to the house of the bride. The groom should bring her things with them.
4. At the house of the bride, the “igan” or bed is set and the “ulul” with “kulambo” or mosquito net is also set. The kulambo will be set up by a female representative from the kababayan and a male representative from the kamaman. The two representatives must not be born out of wed-lock and their parents must be both living together. (meaning, from a family with “no issues,” duh?!)
5. The couple will enter the kulambo and will sit on the bed, the female kababayan and the male kamaman will assist the couple in lying down (in fast manner) and in going up (also in fast manner).
6. Then they will be served with a bandihaw with rice, oil and sugar on it, placed in a saucer called “ladia.”
(They must be both wearing inaul). Their left point finger will be joined side by side and somebody will assist them to touch the sugar, the oil and the rice (in order). Then, all the rice that will stick to their finger will be placed in a cotton and covered with white handkerchief. The meaning of the sugar is their wealth together, and the meaning of the rice is their individual income or earnings (This will determine who will earn more, the husband or the wife?)
After that, in other practices, there is called KAPEDSUGAY at night, where they will be placed inside the mosquito net and their relatives will watch them (like the traditional chinese tradition). They groom will tease the bride and will try to kiss her. The bride will try to escape. The groom must not let her go outside the mosquito net (It’s like a patintero, lol).
If he gets her, end of the show, they will sleep. They will also light a candle. The first candle to die, meaning he/she will be the one to die first.
POST-WEDDING
After that, the couple will stay at the bride’s house for three days. They are prohibited to go outside their backyard or go somewhere else. They are not allowed to buy anything.
After the three days, they should visit their relatives. They will go house to house. But before that, the parents of the bride or somebody will go to the river and scratch a gold jewelry, then will cut a portion (or the whole) of the gold jewelry to be drowned in the river as offering to the alligators. (Huh?!)
(This is SHIRK. Shirk (Arabic: شرك širk) is the sin of idolatry or polytheism, i.e. the deification or worship of anyone or anything other than the singular God, or more literally the establishment of “partners” placed beside God. It is the vice that is opposed to the virtue of tawhid (monotheism).
The first thing that the couple should do is to buy anything that is metal or made of brass. First, they should buy a needle, then anything brass or metal like agong, kulintang or gandingan. If they choose musical instruments made of brass, they should choose the one with the longest tone when stroked.
When they visit the house of their relatives, it is a requirement that the relatives will give money Php 10.00 up. Ten pesos in Maguindanaon is Sapulu; any number or amount that has “pulu” in it may be given so that the couple will have high standing in the community or will have good life. The relatives can also give gifts, or other lucky charms for the couple.
NOTE: MANY OF THESE PRACTICES ARE NOT ANYMORE DONE TODAY BECAUSE SOME ARE CONSIDERED SHIRK OR BID’AH AND AGAINST THE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM.
Religious innovation means inventing a new way of worshiping God that was not originally included in the message that Islamic tradition claims was revealed to Muhammad.
MAGUINDANAO PRIDE 