Yakan
Honeymoon Rituals
The
Yakans of Basilan Island observe interesting rituals during
the honeymoon period.
In the afternoon,
just before the first night the new couple spend together,
each of them will be given a separate bath, so the children
will not only be born clean but also stay clean throughout
life.
In their first
sexual intercourse, the girl makes sure that she is accepted
as a wife and not as a harlot by asking questions about her
status. The groom has to answer adequately that she is his
wife.
Just before the
sexual act, the boy should first step on the right foot as
heavily as he can. This symbolizes strength. The first hand
to touch his wife should be the right one, for strength and
long life. The first kiss should be planted on the forehead
for oneness of mind, with eyes opened so that his children
will not be born blind. He should breathe lightly so that
later in life he will have fewer problems.
The girl wants
to be assured that her marriage is accepted spiritually and
that she will be his wife even after life. For this reason,
the bedding items have to be sanctified and be named in a
liturgical language. Permission is also granted to the groom
to own the body of his wife and also name her anatomical parts
in liturgical speech.
Any sexual intercourse
that is not done according to the natural way is considered
abominable in the eyes of the Yakan and will bring punishment
from God on the culprit and his family.
The
groom is taken to the river to get a bath, just
before the wedding ceremony starts. |
A
Yakan bride. |
| About
the Images:
The photographs are available for
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To purchase, click on the image/s. They are
also available at the Photo Library of the Filipinas
Heritage Library.
The
images are owned by the Filipinas Heritage Library.
Copying without permission is punishable by
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Source:
Sherfan, Andrew D. The Yakans of Basilan Island: Another Unknown
and Exotic Tribe of the Philippines. p. 76,82
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