The End of the Binukot

BINUKOT- itago (hide or keep)

BUKOT- Epic chanters who are hidden from sunlight

Definition of Terms

SULOD/SULUD

- people of the mountains of Central Panay (also called Sulodnon, Panay-Bukidnon or Tumandok-Bukidnon)

Definition of Terms

MAP OF PANAY

- cultivation of rice and crops supplemented by hunting, fishing, and gathering

- upland rice, maize, sweet potatoes, and other edible tubers

Sulod Economy

- Sulods do not stay in one place for more than 2 years

- lati (abandoned land which may be reused after 5 years)

Sulod Economy

- Puro: settlements consisting of 5 to 7 houses

- Parangkuton or kahimataan: oldest man within the settlement

- Timbang: young man who assists leaders

Politics

KAHIMATAAN: DUTIES

- marriage settlements- performance of community rituals- settling family feuds- directs activities like hunting and movement to new kaingin sites

Politics

CHILDHOOD

- passing on of Sulod culture is highly dependent on how one raises a child

- children are the center of attention for their first two to three years

Sulod’s Life Cycle

CHILDHOOD

- treated with love and indulgence up to the age of six

- tolerated at all domestic occasions so kids learn the proper ways to behave

Sulod’s Life Cycle

CHILDHOOD

- between nine and twelve, sex differences take place

- this time of self-differentiation that the Sulod youngsters are drawn into their respective groups

Sulod’s Life Cycle

COURTSHIP

- Sulod boys are shy and does not make the first move

- the boy tells his family who then finds a way to meet with the family of the girl

Sulod’s Life Cycle

BASIS FOR CHOOSING A MATE:

- large testicles- deformed fingers- crooked teeth- lack of pubic hair (for girls)

Sulod’s Life Cycle

MARRIAGE

- most marriages are arranged- unmarried individuals are deemed immature, childless and insightless- divorce is allowed

Sulod’s Life Cycle

ANIMISM

- intimate part of Sulod life- all activities should be in conformity to the wishes of the deities and gods/sess- 16 annual festivities- babaylan

Religious Belief

DEATH

- balasan: wake for the dead- everyone contributes material things- pangkutons or baylans are not buried on the ground

Religious Belief

DEATH

- coffin is made out of a large tree- kantang: special shed made of cogon grass on top of the hill where the coffin will be placed

Religious Belief

DEATH

- after 2 to 3 months, bones are removed, washed, wrapped in black cloth and suspended on the eave of the house

Religious Belief

DEATH

- after 2 to 3 months, bones are removed, washed, wrapped in black cloth and suspended on the eave of the house

Religious Belief

DEATH

- after 2 to 3 months, bones are removed, washed, wrapped in black cloth and suspended on the eave of the house

Religious Belief

BINUKOT

- chosen as early as 3-5 yrs old- considered to be the prettiest women in the village - kept inside the house and away from sunlight

Pagbibinukot

BINUKOT

- not allowed to be seen by anyone but her immediate family- not allowed to study- not allowed to do any chore

Pagbibinukot

BINUKOT

- treated like a princess- gets the first “salok”- when she reaches the marrying age, the binukot is auctioned to the highest bidder

Pagbibinukot

BINUKOT

- epic enchanters- repositories of their people’s oral history and legends- last for 30 hours or more

Pagbibinukot

WORLD WAR II

- when the Japs arrived in Panay, binukots were the first casualties- they were not able to run away because they were weak and frail

Pagbibinukot

WORLD WAR II

- after WWII, parents didn’t want their children to become binukots- when Alicia Magnos studies pagbibinukot, there were only 7 left

Pagbibinukot

WORLD WAR II

- Aling Isiang, one of the most famous binukot, is the last in her tribe- her successor refused to become like her because she wants to be a teacher

Pagbibinukot

Map of Panay

TAPAZ

LAMBUNAO

VALDERRAMA