Folklore’s Footprints: The Funerary Superstitions in the Philippines
As a natural human instance, grieving equates to seeking time to process everything that happened when someone significant has departed. However, during the mourning period, there will always be a space to remember all the “pamahiin” or superstitions, as these provide a portal to respect the deceased and kin.
Accordingly, Filipinos have a unique set of beliefs inherited from their ancestors. Although the entire country shares the majority of these views, some existing cultures in every region have their way of practicing their inclusive beliefs. These superstitions embrace many facets of life, including attracting good fortune, avoiding bad luck, promoting good health, preventing illness, and superstitions regarding death itself.
Here are some of the funerary superstitions that linger in Filipino traditions since then:
Buwigan: The Forbidden Fruits
In Marinduque, they have a term called Buwigan, which means “a bunch of something.” Buwigan describes a group of fruit, including bananas, lanzones, duhat, grapes, and coconut, alongside some vegetables in a particular region. With Buwigan explicit in the context, Marindukanon often associated this with funerary superstitions in the current generation.
The locals believe that eating buwigan fruits during the wake or burial of a dead family member or any relatives will result in a pessimistic outcome. For instance, a one-hand banana represents the number of family members; hence, when a particular relative eats and peels a finger, it symbolizes that someone in the group would meet one’s death and follow the deceased. However, this belief will last until the dead person is buried and rested in its last chapter.
Sociologists believe this tradition is continuously anchored in Marindukanons’ funerary practices because they value it as much as they value the elders and the deceased. Moreover, these individuals often depend on customary practices to seek guidance for future actions. Thus, failure to do so will impact the group’s family structure and solidarity (Fatalla, 2021).
Your Not-So-Ordinary Cleansing Routine
Ilocanos’ life on earth is determined by “gasat,” which means fate. Therefore, death is the inevitable conclusion of their destiny. Because of their perspective on death, Ilocanos are better equipped to face and cope with losing a loved one with strength and courage.
Furthermore, after the funeral, they practice the “diram-os,” wherein the family and close friends of the deceased must wash their faces and upper bodies in a basin of “basi” filled with coins to fend off the evil spirit’s incantation. The next day, close family members use “golgol” (hair shampoo) in the river to wash away any residual power from the deceased.
This practice is a form of cleansing — removing the sorrow and bad fortune that death could bring to the family. In addition, a type of rice cake called niniogan, basi, buyo, and tobacco are then offered. Ilocanos have held to this belief for a very long time since it benefits most of them, so they frequently share these with others. As it spreads and more individuals use it, its validity is shown; therefore, the coping mechanism eventually develops into a habit. The Ilocanos’ death superstitions may have originated from this.
Ilocanos adhere to these beliefs while not having a clear idea of why they perform them. Based on the observation of Lolinco (2010), Ilocanos follow societal standards, particularly those set forth by the “babbaket” (old women), whom they regard as the ultimate authority in this matter. The ideals of hiya (shame) and utang na loob (indebtedness) are the foundations upon which the practices are observed.
Click here to watch how Ilocanos perform golgol.
Defying ‘Trip to Jerusalem’
Due to their innocence, children and infants do not usually grasp everything that happens when someone dies and when a particular person, especially their relatives, cries due to grief and loss. Elders have observed that these young individuals are vulnerable to constantly experiencing bad dreams and believed that the spirit of the dead could visit them if they did not do the superstition constituting the passing of the infants or toddlers over the casket.
Although still unproven, the tradition seeks to alleviate the chances of these young people experiencing unnecessary feelings that could lead to trauma. This superstition is still in practice, particularly in the Northern part of the Philippines, especially in Tacloban City. As the coffin is being carried down, the children and other relatives of the deceased Taclobanon must pass under it, and the latter will throw a haro (vase) at the door following the chant, “Take the children’s illness with you, take them!”.
This customary practice is followed because of the unceasing care of the family members to the living one, conceding all the bad luck, trauma, and illness to the dead aiming to live without the hindrances of the past (Amat, 2020).
For a supplemental video, an Investigative Documentary made by GMA Public Affairs entitled: Ano-ano nga ba ang mga pamahiin ng Pinoy pagdating sa patay? will explain how the superstition is done. (Timestamp — 6:24)
Shake It Off (Filipino’s Version)
Regarding Filipino superstitions during wakes, “pagpag,” which means to “shake off the dust or dirt,” is the most well-known. The word used locally refers to the notion that the departed might follow and visit the homes of their mourners. Therefore, elders always encourage individuals who pay their respects to travel somewhere else first to leave the spirit behind rather than returning home straight from the funeral.
Also, others believe that individuals should change into other clothing when they go home since sleeping in the same ones they wore to the wake could result in seeing the deceased while they are sleeping (Golden Haven, 2022).
Did you know? Based upon traditional Filipino beliefs and the trailer linked below with the famous Filipino movie, Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay, disregarding this superstition will cause sudden death in the transgressor’s family. To prevent this from happening, sympathizers remember to do this.
There might be no scientific explanation as to why up until now, Filipinos still practice “pagpag” with their families after funerals. Nevertheless, as per Cheung (2017), some of the justifications for why Filipinos continue to hold onto these superstitious beliefs is that they lose nothing for adhering to them because these superstitions are merely guidelines to avoid consequences. In short, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Click here to better understand why Filipinos continue to do this.
Can You Pull an All-Nighter?
The main reason someone should be awake to keep an eye on the deceased at night is to stop “aswang” or other paranormal entities from stealing the corpse from the coffin. The physical characteristics of the Bal-Bal have been incorporated into numerous other stories about flesh-eating creatures throughout the Philippines, including the Visayan versions of the Aswang, the Amalanhig, and the Busaw (Clark, 2015).
Because of the notion that these creatures will steal the bodies of the deceased from their coffins when no one is looking after them, Filipinos have upheld this belief and tried to stay as awake as possible to watch over the coffin.
Besides creatures who steal dead bodies at night, a wake in the Philippines can extend up to a week or more, especially when close relatives live abroad and are obliged to attend the funeral. As explained by Kuo (2015), due to this, Filipinos would find ways to keep people awake and close to the burial. It is a Filipino tradition to observe a 24-hour vigil for the deceased until the burial, which is why gambling in the Philippines during wakes or paglalamay is common. It is not simply a pastime; it is a way to honor the deceased.
However, in the report of Caliwan (2020), National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) prohibits gambling at wakes. Debold Sinas, former Philippine National Police chief, had already discussed the implementation of his directive, which is an offshoot of the PNP one-strike policy against illegal gambling, with local chief executives in Metro Manila.
Sinas mentioned that raids would be carried out if people continued to gamble at wakes. Nevertheless, did you know? In previous years, attempts have been made to forbid gambling during wakes, but barangay officials have been obliged to comply out of compassion for the low-income families of the deceased.
Supplementarily, it is common for Filipinos to play card games like sakla, pusoy, and tong-its at wakes. Withal, if the enforcers are against gambling, shouldn’t they target big-time gambling businesses instead of funeral gamblers? Moreover, why would they implement such a policy of prohibiting the culture that Filipinos grew up in? Subsequently, are there any alternatives to gambling for Filipinos to stay up all night?
A Sea Split Belief on THIS Noodle Dish
Chinese traders during the pre-Hispanic period significantly contributed to introducing a Filipino noodle dish, pancit, in the Philippines. In Chinese and Filipino beliefs, noodles represent long life, strong family ties, and good health. This belief is extensively known in several Luzon provinces, making it a foundation for their businesses (Mercado & Andalecio, 2020).
This simple dish is not excluded from funerary superstitions that Filipinos still practice. Contrary to the accustomed tradition, serving pancit while people are grieving equates to prolonging the agony or the mourning period. Consequently, it should be avoided in any way possible. Although this superstition lacks a scientific basis, Filipinos believe this practice is solely applicable during the wake and burial. In the following days, relatives and other visitors to the funeral can eat it again — seeking a long life through it (Rappler, 2019).
Although superstitions may seem strange, these add value and have comforted every generation of Filipino families. Anyhow hanging onto curiosity, why do Filipinos still value and carry these “pamahiin” or superstitions until modern times?
Most individuals still adhere to these beliefs despite the lack of evidence to support them because they feel they bring them peace of mind. After all, regardless of whether practicing these superstitions seem like a coping strategy or a sign of cultural preservation, what matters most is offering respect to the departed loved ones and commemorating their deeds and memories in this world. As everyone says, “Wala namang mawawala kung susundin” [There is nothing to lose if you will follow.].
References:
40 Filipino Superstitions that You Need to Know during Funerals and Wakes | Blog | Flower Patch — Online Flower Delivery Phillippines. (2019, February 19). https://flowerpatchdelivery.com/blog/40-filipino-superstitions-funerals-and-wakes/
Amat, A. (2020). Superstitions Surrounding Wake and Interment in a Philippine Urban Center. https://archives.palarch.nl/index.php/jae/article/view/2244
Amazing Quirino. (2020, August 25). ILOCANO BELIEFS ON DEATH AND BURIAL. https://www.facebook.com/102045124948589/posts/-ilocano-beliefs-on-death-and-burial-to-the-ilocanos-gasat-fate-detemines-their-/115740013579100/
Caliwan, C. L. (2020). NCRPO prohibits gambling at wakes. In Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1093446
Cheung, S. (2017, May 1). Pagpag | USC Digital Folklore Archives. WordPress. http://folklore.usc.edu/pagpag/
Clark, J. (2022, June 3). Ghouls in Philippine Folklore. THE ASWANG PROJECT. https://www.aswangproject.com/philippine-ghouls/
Fatalla, J. (n.d.). Deaths in the Family and the Marindukanon Taboo on Eating “Buwigan.” Academia Letters. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jimbo-Fatalla/publication/350188508_Deaths_in_the_Family_and_the_Marindukanon_Taboo_on_Eating_%27Buwigan%27/links/60ffb7f20c2bfa282a030d9d/Deaths-in-the-Family-and-the-Marindukanon-Taboo-on-Eating-Buwigan.pdf
Haven, G. (2022, May 20). Filipino Superstitions About Wakes and Funerals. Golden Haven Memorial Parks. https://www.goldenhaven.com.ph/blog/filipino-superstitions-about-wakes-and-funerals/
Kuo, L. (2015, June 25). In the Philippines, mourners honor the dead by placing bets. Quartz. https://qz.com/436809/in-the-philippines-mourners-honor-the-dead-by-placing-bets
Lolinco, J. L. (2022, October 27). From Coping to Tradition: The Ilocanoa Death Practices in Focus. Academia. http://copingtradition.blogspot.com/2010/02/from-coping-to-tradition-ilocanoa-death.html
Mercado, J. M., & Andalecio, A. B. (2020). Ysla de Panciteria: a preliminary study on the culinary heritage significance of pancit using the heritage documentation approach — the case of Luzon Island, Philippines. Journal of Ethnic Foods, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42779-020-00057-1
Rappler. (2019, October 31). List: 6 Filipino pamahiins we just can’t ignore. RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/238770-filipinos-common-beliefs-about-death/
