Wedding Stages and Rituals Among the Indigenous Itawes in Isabela, Philippines

Journal of Critical Reviews

ISSN- 2394-5125 Vol 7, Issue 11, 2020

WEDDING STAGES AND RITUALS AMONG THE INDIGENOUS ITAWES IN ISABELA, PHILIPPINES

Rodel B. Guzman

Assistant Professor, College of Education, Isabela State University-Echague, Isabela, Philippines

Received: 04.03.2020 Revised: 05.04.2020 Accepted: 06.05.2020

Abstract The Itawes of Isabela have a unique culture which defines them as a people. Their marriage manifests their cosmology. This study was conducted to document the different wedding rituals of the Itawes and analyze their cultural significance. Data were gathered through observation, community immersion and non-formal interview among the elders. These were interpreted and presented to the elders for validation, after which, a revision was made to include their feedback. The study revealed that the Itawes have several marriage rituals and stages like tubad, mangatatawa, gumina or landay, entrega, boda (wedding ceremony), gala-gala, and dallut. However, tubad and mangatatawa are no longer practiced due to some practical reasons. The study further revealed that these wedding rituals manifest the communal characteristics of the Itawes as a group of people. All members of the community are encouraged to participate in the conduct of the rituals. Further, it was also found out that female Itawes are given high regard specially in preparing them for married life. The parents of the female ensures that their daughter will be given a better life after the wedding by their soon to be husband. It is the reason why the parents are testing the determination of their suitors through the conduct of mangatatawa and other related rituals. It is highly recommended that the Local Government Unit (LGU), the Department of Education (DepEd) and the academe must have an intervention for the promotion, conservation and preservation of these rituals for better understanding the Itawes unique culture. Keywords: Culture, Wedding rituals, Itawes, Family, Ethnolinguistic group, Indigenous people

INTRODUCTION Article XIV Sec. 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that Practically, marriage is the beginning of founding a family. It is a the State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the special contract of permanent union between a man and a nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively woman entered into in accordance with law for the promote its total development. Further, Section 2 of the same establishment of conjugal and family life. It is the foundation of article states that marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the family and an inviolable social institution whose nature, the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State. consequences, and incidents are governed by law and not subject to stipulation (Article 1, Executive Order No. 209-Family Code of According to Kusmana (2020), family is a sociological unit that the Philippines). has its own problems and dynamics. As a sociological unit, it has its own system, sometimes these dynamics and problems are Marriage as stipulated in the Philippine Constitution, is a legal quite different from other sociological units such as community contract between two parties who are about to create a family as and society. Therefore, as an entity, the role and function of the the basic foundation of the nation. Although marriage is family in the life of wider community (humanity) becomes very governed by the Constitution, the Philippines being an important. archipelagic nation have different cosmology in terms of marriage. In the context of the Philippines, according to Hammer (2017), Filipino family is very important because it is the foundation of Since marriage is important in the creation of family, various Filipino society and culture. Filipino family members are very beliefs, rituals, traditions and practices is observed across the close and loving to each other. Filipino traditions are centered in country and even abroad. According to Philippine Primer (2016), bringing members together from generation to generation. The Filipino weddings are usually big occasion since it is once-in-a- family causes the smile in every Filipino faces and it’s the family lifetime event, hence, its being meticulous. Further, there is a that creates Filipino culture. need for the conduct of pamamanhikan, money dance, throwing of rice grain and consideration of the reception. According to Retuya et.al. (2017) Filipinos are family-oriented. They are known for their close family-ties. They also center their Pamamanhikan is the process where the male family members lives on their families. They have a tendency to always put the are going to ask for the wedding approval from the female family family first when it comes to decision making. This occurs to the members. Along this activity is the giving of dowry. Money dance extent of their staying with their parents after marriage in order is being done in the wedding reception. The newlywed couple to take care of them - it is one way of repaying their parents for will dance at the center. While dancing, family members of both the sacrifices they have made for them. sides, friends, and the wedding sponsors are expected to pin Filipino family is the foundation of the Philippine society and money on the couple. On the other hand, reception is an issue culture. Its importance is stipulated in the 1987 Constitution of before the wedding ceremony. The wedding reception can be the country. Founding a family is a serious decision among done in a barrio or in a hotel. Filipino community. Hence, there are various stages, styles, and In Asia, wedding is an important celebration to start a marital procedures to be carefully followed and observed to fully life. According to Cleghorn (2016), Asian countries have many prepare the men and women for family life. different wedding customs. Furthermore, varying wedding

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WEDDING STAGES AND RITUALS AMONG THE INDIGENOUS ITAWES IN ISABELA, PHILIPPINES

traditions in Asia shows incredibly diverse social customs and which means “people” and root word “tawid” which means traditions. However, not all of the customs are maintained today “across the river.” Itawes therefore are the people living across because of western influences which are replacing or the river. They are also called Itawit, Tawis, Itavi, Itaves and complementing these ancient practices. Kaggi. When the Spaniards came to the valley, the Itawes resisted them. To avoid further conflict, they left their land in Cagayan According to Gautam (2020), wedding ceremonies in Asian and found settlement in Isabela. countries are directly affected by their rich culture and ancient traditions. Typically, Asian weddings are lavish, extravagant and The culture of the original ethnic group of Isabela is in danger of the couple’s religious practices and customs are part of the whole extinction due to influence of the formal education that is not ritual. Further, when the couple are more traditional, there is a supportive to their culture, and their exposure to media and the big tendency that they will practice more rituals based on their dominant culture in town, cities and even abroad (Toquero, traditions while younger generations are more in the fusion of 2008). The problem of the vanishing traditions and customs is western-based practices. also a reality in the conduct of wedding ceremonies and rituals. Gautam (2020), Cleghorn (2016) and Chua (2016) asserted that Cleghorn (2016), explained that while the white Japanese many of the Asian wedding traditions and customs in today’s weddings gown is becoming popular, one-third of Japanese generation are being influenced by western culture and tradition. women still lean towards a traditional pure white kimono (Shiro- Muku) for the formal ceremony, symbolizing purity and In response to this problem, the United Nations Educational, maidenhood. Japanese women generally prefer beautifully Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) urged its member colored silk kimonos with rich embellishments that are often countries to preserve and protect their cultural heritage. In the embroidered with purple iris flowers because in Japan the color Philippines, the passage of Republic Act (RA) 8371 created the purple represents love. The wedding ceremony itself is National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) and Republic traditionally either Shinto or Buddhist. Act 7356 created the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). It paved the way for a national agency whose main Gautam (2020), on the other hand, explained that Muslim function is to promote, protect, conserve and develop the wedding traditions are an honor for both families, which are very different ethnolinguistic groups of the country together with important to everyone involved. Although, there are various their traditional arts, history, culture and heritage. The aim of wedding rituals in Muslim ceremony, nikah, arsi mushraf, marh, these agencies is to develop national identity using the diverse rukhsat,walimah and chauthi are the most common. cultural uniqueness of the Filipino people.

Also, Patwari (2013) explain that Indian weddings are not only to Efforts to document and analyze indigenous knowledge, systems unite bride and groom but also their families. Family plays a key and practices is a practical way of understanding a group of role in making life decisions. India is a collectivist culture to the people. Peoples’ culture can be considered as a form science. It core. Indian weddings, also called ‘Vivaah’, are best known for may be useful to understand and explain human experiences. the grandeur, traditions, grace, colors and almost carnival-type However, culture of the different indigenous group is in danger celebration associated with this sacred event. of extinction. Hence, this study.

In the Philippine, according to Chua (2016), from the ancient to Objectives of the Study present time, there are various wedding traditions. The 1. Describe the different wedding stages and rituals of the formalization of an engagement is done during the conduct of Itawes of Jones, Isabela, Philippines. pamamanhikan. Aside from the formalization of the engagement, both parties will decide on various issues such as principal 2. Analyze the socio-cultural implication of the the different sponsors, god parents and the like. The tradition of having wedding stages and rituals of the Itawes of Jones, Isabela, bride’s made, abay, the wearing of veil by the bride, the Philippines. exchanging of rings, the bride’s bouquet which in the ancient time are a combination of garlic, condiments and grains, are all western-based tradition. However, its meanings and social LITERATURE REVIEW significance can also be traced in the ancient Filipino society. According to the website, The Primer (2016), weddings in the Philippines are usually laborious and huge. Since majority of the The province of Isabela being the second largest province of the Filipinos are Roman Catholic and since the society can be country next to Palawan, is home for several ethnolinguistic characterized as highly traditional, various authentic Filipino groups like Itawes, Ibanag, Yogad, Gaddang, Ilocano, Paranan, etc. culture can be witnessed during wedding ceremonies. Wedding The Itawes as a unique ethnolinguistic group of the province has preparation is very specific and meticulous. Such characteristic is a unique culture which defines them as people. This culture attributed on the idea that it is a lifetime experiences. Further, shapes their perspective about the world they live in. The Primer, mention that among the top wedding activity in the Philippines includes pamamanhikan, despedida de soltera, Among the Itawes, marriage or wedding is not just a union of two throwing of rice grain and re reception. individuals. Instead, it is a union of two families. It is a tedious process especially among the traditional Itawes family. Further, Cleghorn (2016) describes the vibrant wedding traditions of certain beliefs and practices are observed and practiced to Asia. According to her, Asian people have various wedding ensure a prosperous celebration and to avoid any disturbance traditions. These wedding traditions can be related or highly from the carangat or unseen spirit during the celebration and different from one place to another because Asia is basically especially after the event and during the family life of the diverse in social customs and traditions. Wedding traditions in married couple. Asia are strictly followed and observed to the point that they consult shamans for the perfect dates and other concerns during The Itawes move from one place to another due to several the wedding preparation. However, western-based wedding reasons. Despite this, they preserve their traditional way of living tradition can also be observed in Asian culture. At some point, (Quilang and Manzolim, 2012). The Itawes during the ancient these western-based traditions have already replaced the Asian time were from the province of Cagayan. They lived in the one. territory drained by the Chico and Matalag rivers as well as all of Southern Cagayan from Nasiping to the Village of Cayug, now the Gautam (2020) explained that the diverse culture and traditions town of Enrile. The term Itawes was derived from the prefix “I” of Asian people play an important role in wedding ceremonies.

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Typically, Asian weddings are extraordinary and excessive. The Itawes Wedding Rituals Further, the belief and faith of a couple will always affect the There are seven stages in the Itawes wedding. Its stages has its customs and traditions in the preparation and the actual own importance. The following are marriage rituals of the wedding ceremony. The more traditional the couple is, the more Itawes: rituals, traditions and customs to be followed. Some of the issue to be resolved during the wedding tradition is the date of Tubad. It is the first stage of an Itawes wedding. It happens when wedding, the dress and its color, foods, gifts and the like. Asian the baguitolay (unmarried man) decides to marry his nobya couple will have their long and meticulous preparation prior to (fiancée). The parent of the baguitolay will send a letter their wedding day. containing the wish and desire of their son to the parents of the maguinganay (unmarried woman). The letter will be given to the According to Patwari (2013), Indian has their own and unique parents of the maguinganay by a representative of the family. wedding traditions. The celebration can be best characterized by Within a week, the parents of the maguinganay is expected to being magnificent, traditional, colorful and almost like a carnival. give their reply, otherwise, it is understood that they rejected the An authentic Indian wedding includes the ritual of phithi and proposal. At present, this is no longer practiced. mehendi. Phitthi is a ritual for being positive and for good luck. Mehendi, on the other hand, is a joyous and colorful celebration a Mangatatawa. When the parents of the maguinganay approved night before the wedding day. It’s a celebration for the woman the letter of the parents of the baguitolay, the mangatatawa will and her family. During the wedding ceremony, the ritual of follow. In this stage, the baguitolay will stay at the house to serve baraat is being observed. It is the procession of the groom the whole family especially the parents of the maguinganay. On together going at the wedding venue using a horse while his the other hand, the manguinganay will no longer accept suitors. friends and family members are singing and dancing. At the This stage may last for several days, weeks, months or even entrance of the wedding venue, the bride together with her years. The parents of the maguinganay will signify when to stop family members will meet the groom at the opening which this level based on their satisfaction on the services of the symbolizes the acceptance of the groom to his new family. baguitolay. At present, this is no longer practiced.

Manzolim (2012) found out that the Itawes are one among the Gumina or Landay. After mangatatawa, gumina or landay will indigenous group of Isabela. In her documentation of the follow immediately. This is a big celebration for both families. different indigenous foods of Itawes, she found out that their The two families who consist of the manak (parents), wawwahi foods are related to their beliefs and different meanings are (siblings), kakot en kakay (grandparents), tiyya en tiyyu (unties attached to it. Foods preparation and consumption among the and uncles) and other distant relatives will attend the feast. The Itawes if to maintain health, social and spiritual balance. Among family of the baguitolay will bring three cases of soft drinks, the exotic foods of Itawes includes duron, simmawa, utoy and momma (betel nut, gawad and apug), binarayan (liquor), talagang. Further, their dessert include bahat, manga, dendelut, dinuntuan (cooked glutinous rice) and other food to be served pinatarak and dinutuan. after all the discussion. This is the time where all matters regarding the boda (wedding ceremony) especially the dates, According to Bullivant (2014), color red plays a vital role during kinds of animals to be slaughtered, the dishes to be cooked and Chinese wedding ceremonies. This color is being considered to dress to be used are discussed and settled. Problems that will be be a lucky color. It symbolizes love, prosperity and happiness. encountered for the entire preparation and celebration are also This is the reason why during Chinese wedding, all that you can discussed in this stage. Furthermore, dowry is also settled in this see is red including the gown and accessories of the bride, stage. Itawes usual dowry consists of land titles, animals like cow wedding invitations, gifts and decorations. and carabao, money and jewelries. The discussion is led by a family representative of both parties who are usually the RESEARCH METHODS mannakam (elders) because they are considered experienced, A descriptive and ethnographic method of research were utilized knowledgeable and wise on the matter. to document the different wedding rituals of the Itawes and analyze their socio-cultural significance. Community immersion, Entrega. A day before the boda, all wedding materials and observation and non-formal interview among the elders were paraphernalia, animals to be slaughtered, dowry and other things utilized to ensure the validity of data gathered. This methods are that have been promised during the conduct of the Gumina or similar with the strategy employed by Kosheleva (2020), Gayipov Landay will be given by the family of the male. To ensure that all (2020), Kadir (2019), Kusmana (2020) in their respective things are settled according to the agreement, the representative studies. of the two families will check all the materials and discuss whether it is complete or not. The participants or key informants of the study were the Itawes whose age is 60 and above. This is to ensure that the data and Boda. This is the highlight of the wedding process. It includes the information gathered were valid and pure Itawes only. The study church ceremony, bayle (community dances) and gala-gala. The was conducted at Barangay San Vicente, Jones, Isabela because it boda takes two nights and one day celebration. All members of is the home of Itawes in town. the community are expected to come and help in the whole preparation and join the family in their celebration. During the bisperas (a night before the wedding), the pabayle will start. All DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION kasadus (married men and women) will participate in the Wedding is a tedious processes among the Itawes especially the different dances, usually balse. All females will sit around the traditional ones. It goes through a series of stages and rituals, damara, a wide and spacious open area using lona as roof. Male each taking a significant period of time depending on the kasadus will approach and ask the female kasadus to dance with progress of each stage. This is because the wedding is a serious them when the music starts to play. On the wedding day, bayle is decision among the couple and their family and it is considered for everybody, kasadus or not. Families and relatives are as a community affair and everybody is expected to participate expected to join the community during the pabayle. The emcee, during the preparation until it ends. During the olden times, who is usually an elder of the community or the Barangay arranged marriage was practiced but such cases are gone Captain will decide the chronology of the bayle. On the night of nowadays. the wedding, the baguitolay and maguinganay are given the chance to participate in the bayle. Just like the female kasadu, the maguinganay will sit around the damara and the baguitolay just like the male kasadu, will approach and ask if the maguinganay

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WEDDING STAGES AND RITUALS AMONG THE INDIGENOUS ITAWES IN ISABELA, PHILIPPINES

can dance with them when the music starts to play. Social Socio-Cultural Significance etiquette dictates that the maguinganay should not refuse any The Itawes are a unique people of the province of Isabela baguitolay who wishes to dance with her. Usually, the bayle because of their culture that shapes their cosmology. Their starts at 7:00pm at night and ends until around 4:00am the rituals related to wedding ceremony signify their communal following day. relationship, their being religious and their connection to the unseen world and the world after death. Gala-gala. It is one of the highlights of the boda. It is where the newlywed couple receives the regalu (gifts) and monetary The importance of the religious beliefs and practices of the contributions from their family, relatives, principal and Itawes is present in the entire preparation of the Itawes secondary sponsors and the community in general. It happens marriage. Most of the Itawes family are members of the Roman three (3) times during the entire boda and it has two forms. It Catholic faith, hence, most of the wedding beliefs and practices happens at around 10:00pm during the bisperas and the night related to their Divine faith is in accordance with the Roman after the wedding and during the wedding day. The fist form of Catholic doctrines. To note, the highlight of the wedding stages the gala-gala is through the use of iyyaw (woven tray). The two and rituals is the boda or the church wedding ceremony. It is iyyaw will be placed on the table in front of the groom and the believed that God should give the highest form of blessing among bride. Music will be played and all attendees will approach the the couple during this celebration. This blessing is through the newlywed couple and give their regalu or put their monetary matrimonial ceremony headed by a priest. contribution in the iyyaw after which, they will congratulate the newlywed couple. On the other hand, the emcee will announce Family relationship is so important with the Itawes family. They the names of the people who gave their gifts and contributions. are clannish and have an extended family. The importance of The second form of the gala-gala is through dancing. The family is shown in the different stages and rituals of the wedding. newlywed couple will dance to a sweet music. While they are In an activity like the Gumina or Landay, all members of the dancing, all the attendees will come to them and pin their family, even the distant members, are expected to participate. monetary contributions. The couple is not allowed to pick money Further, during the wedding celebration, all members of the that falls on the ground because it brings bad luck to them. community are expected to participate because the Itawes Anyone from the attendees can pick the money and pin it again to considers every member of the community as member of the the dress of the couple. During the last night of the bayle, the family. Furthermore, being married does not mean that an Itawes emcee will announce the total amount collected during the unites with his husband or wife alone. The wedding process for conduct of the gala-gala. the Itawes is not just a union of two individuals but a union of two families to create a larger and happy family. A daughter is Dallut. This is the last stage and final ritual of the wedding. It is not just a sibling but of high regard in the family. It is in this light believed that if this ritual is ignored, the couple and their future that the parents should know exactly if the man who wants to sons and daughters may encounter sickness and difficulty in life. marry their daughter is a good man and capable of heading a It is also believed that the conduct of the dallut may cure family. This is the reason of having mangatatawa in the stages of unexplainable illness among the family members. There is no marriage. specific time for the dallut. It may be conducted during the dawn, daylight or sunset. It may also be performed after several days, Their rituals related to wedding focus in making sure that the weeks or even years after the church wedding ceremony. It is a entire process is prosperous, memorable and successful. To song and dance ritual. The couple will prepare dinuntuan, achieve these, the help of the members of the community is momma, binarayan (liquor), tabaku (cigar) to be offered for the expected whether it is monetary or in-kind. Further, the carangat carangat (unseen spirits), and for the souls of the departed and the soul of the departed member of the family, although they members of the family. Further, abak (mat), ulat (kumot), fungan are not present in flesh in the entire preparation and celebration, (pillow) will also be prepared for the conduct of the ritual. When is given respect and priority especially in the preparation of the interpreted, the dallut is an advice from the elders for the foods. They believe that these activities are an attempt to include newlywed couple. them in the normal flow of the environment and to maintain balance between the human world, the environment, and the The groom with a baguitolay on his sides faces the bride with a unseen world, hence, the rituals are being conducted. lady on each side and the party hold hands tightly as they dance while the elders sing the dallut, bracing their feet alternately The long preparation, several activities, different rituals and sideways to the left and to the right. As the singing and the stages of the wedding signifies the perception of the Itawes of dancing continues, the newlywed is showered with rice and the family as an important social institution and therefore, if one liquor is poured on their feet. Towards the end of the singing and decides to enter family life, they should be prepared financially dancing the group of male and female will kneel while the other and emotionally. The Itawes believe that entering a family life continues to brace their feet alternately. This signifies that each especially among the male is a serious decision and of them should be under one another. No one is superior and responsibility, hence, they should be prepared. This is the reason inferior to another. After this, the couple will face each other with of a long, laborious and expensive preparations and celebration a pillow between their feet. The couple must be at the center and during the entire marriage process. The magatatawa tests the jointly kneel on the pillow at the center of the mat. While in this determination of the male in marrying his fiancée while the position, the elder will cover them with the ulat expensive preparations and dowries allows the family to decide (blanket/bedspread) that signifies their being one in body and whether they are really ready for the future of their son and mind. The ritual ends with the removal of the mat by the elders future daughter in law. The long preparation allows both parties and the group of baguitolay and maguingay raise their hands and to reflect if they are determined and ready to enter the family life shout a loud. To date, dallut text is written in the Ibanag since it is not an easy journey for them. language.

CONCLUSION The study reveals also that the rituals of the Itawes people The Itawes people have their own culture that defines them as a related to wedding manifest their communal relationship and people. Further, this culture helps them understand their world family-orientation, religion, and their connection and/or and the things around them. Their rituals related to wedding are relationship to the environment with the carangat and the a manifestation of their colorful culture. The study found out that departed family members. Further, these rituals, are the Itawes wedding among the Itawes is a union not only of the couple but means to ensure that the couple is really prepared to enter the also of the two families where the couple came from. married life. Furthermore, these are also strategies to ensure a

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