These Rituals in the Philippines are So Bizarre They Will Make You Cringe
Johanna Ella May Erroba Johanna is officially a bum by day, public management (master's) student when she has homework, English tutor by night, singer-musician in the shower, wanna-be beauty and fashion expert when she feels like it, cook and baker on the weekends, techie and travel junkie on pay-days, photographer and videographer on random days, a neat freak all year round, and her new found passion is community development. And just like most millennials, she loves to travel. She expresses all of her musings on Camera and Cheese.
The Philippines is rich in history, culture and tradition. Do you know the country has some of the strangest and morbid rituals in the world? These cultural or religious practices are so bizarre, they will surely make you cringe!
Also read: 12 Most Exciting Philippine Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss
"Pukpok"
The word pukpok in the Philippines literally means to hit something usually with a hammer. Circumcision in the country is a mandatory tradition inspired mainly by religion. Circumcision among young boys is usually done in summer before classes start. Nowadays, it is done by accredited practitioners to ensure that there is no risk in the procedure.
However, in some parts of the country, the traditional way of circumcision is still being practiced. Boys will chew in some guava leaves while a known local practitioner would remove the foreskin of the male genital. Afterwards, the chewed guava leaves will be put over the affected area to minimise pain and infection. Medical experts, of course, do not approve of this kind of procedure as it is unsanitary and might lead to health risks in the future.
"Kutkot"
Kutkot is a fading tradition that is practised by members of Hanunuo Tribe. After burying the dead for a year, relatives clean the skeleton and cover it with cloth to take up the shape of a mannequin or even a mummy called "sinakot". It is then adorned by clothes and even jewelry. The body is returned to the family and is housed there for another year. After that period, the body is sent to a cave where the rest of the sinakot are taken (Cabrera, 2010).
Also read: Sagada Hanging Coffins: Old Burial Tradition in the Philippines
Baliw-baliw Festival
Baliw in Filipino means crazy. Every May, residents of Barangay San Vicente in Olango, Cebu celebrate the Baliw-baliw festival on the day with the highest 12-noon tide (Domanguera, 2014). Men would cross-dress as women and pretend to give birth by the shore. They would also carry around wooden sculptures of a man's genitals. Although its conception is a mystery, locals celebrate the festival to give thanks to blessings received.
Aswang Festival
The Philippines has many superstitions and folklore stories. Growing up, children are made aware of aswangs or monsters that roam in the dark. Roxas City in Capiz is notorious for being the home of aswangs. In the hopes of reversing the stigma and boosting the city's tourism, a group called Dugo Capiznon Inc. created the festival in 2004 (Aswang Project, n.d.). However, it only lasted for three years and has not been revived since. The festival showcased the different mythical monsters known in Philippine culture.
Penetensya
Image credit: istolethetv
As a Catholic nation, the Philippines does not take penitence lightly. Once, when we were travelling home from Caramoan to Leyte during our Holy Week adventure, we came across a group of men parading the streets and striking their already bleeding backs with whips. In Pampanga, a bloody crucifixion re-enactment is held every Good Friday. While this cringe-worthy ritual is not supported by the Catholic Church, many devotees still do this to imitate Jesus Christ's sufferings and show gratitude to God.
Also read: Shockingly Passionate Good Friday Commemorations Around the World
I see you cringing. Don't fake it.