BIBLIOGRAPHY BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL ...
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013. Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-
marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet. Benguet State
University. La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Anna Liza B. Wakat, MDevCom
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to document the process of Bogaw Di Dontog: an existing
pre-marriage cleansing ritual in baragay Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet.
Specifically, the study aimed to describe the origin of Bogaw Di Dontog, document
the processes in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog, determine the changes in the practice in the
practice of Bogaw Di Dontog, determine the importance of Bogaw Di Dontog in the
community, identify the values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog and determine the challenges
being encountered in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog.
The study was conducted in Barangay Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet from
December 2012 to January 2013 using personal interview with the guide questions. There
were three manbunongs as the key informants, five elders who were knowledgeable about
the ritual, four couples who experienced doing the ritual and three unmarried men who
experienced attending the ritual.
Bogaw Di Dontog started as a folk tale story of Lumawig and Bangan wherein they
engaged in pre-marital sex and committed a sin in the mountain that made the anitos cursed
them. Bogaw Di Dontog was a solution for the cursed wherein couples who engaged in
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
pre-marital sex should undergo in this ritual before their wedding. This ritual has five
procedures. These were preparing the materials to be used and the venue for the ritual,
praying the bunong for the couples, singeing and butchering the piglet and lastly, praying
bunong for the liver.
There were also changes in this ritual like the place in performing Bogaw Di Dontog
and the attendees in the ritual.
Bogaw Di Dontog has importance especially to couples who engaged in pre-
marital sex.
The values learned in Bogaw Di Dontog included respect for the elders, unity,
cooperation, resourcefulness, friendship, responsibility, generosity, peacefulness, honesty,
care for the child, care for the family and respect for virginity.
Challenges in the ritual were also determined such as spiritual beliefs, differences
in beliefs, economic reason and death of manbunongs.
In conclusion, Bogaw Di Dontog was a cleansing ritual with the purpose of
sanctifying the relationship before marriage; the practice of Bogaw Di Dontog was attended
by anyone in the community following certain procedure with specific purpose; and there
were still values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog.
The study therefore recommends the following: Bogaw Di Dontog may be
maintained to sustain the sanctify of marriage among the people of Kapangan; the attendees
in the ritual should observe and learn the process of the ritual for them to get information
about it and share to the next generation; and more studies on cultural practices of
Kapangan is recommended.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
Filipinos have different kinds of cultures and rituals. We have this indigenous
knowledge, skills, and practices or what we call IKSP that our forefathers had been
practicing. When the foreigners came, the introduction of foreign cultures made our
cultures starting to vanish. Despite this, we are still grateful that some of these IKSPs are
still being practiced in some places. These cultures and rituals give us unique identity.
Indigenous Knowledge in the Cordillera is unique because it embraces insights,
experience, skills, and creativity of IP’s. For us not to lose IK, some cultures or rituals have
been documented in forms of story books, video documentaries, journals, and the like.
Cultural beliefs and practices are the traditional acts and rituals performed by the
elders especially among the pagans or non-Christian within the society. It is understood as
the beliefs, traditions, values and practices of before and life ways still carried to the
present. These practices are used as instruments for different purposes like in agricultural
production, environmental conservation, weddings, burials and others. These cultures are
rich in indigenous knowledge but this is now being challenged by the forces of
modernization.
The introduction of modern technologies such as the internet has proven to be an
effective tool in scaling the limiting factors on information dissemination of IK. The use
of internet can diffuse information on Cordillera IK because it is easier, faster, and more
convenient, considering that internet is an open and ready source of these. People can use
these technologies as a way to conserve Cordillera IK (Gampol, 2012).
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Cordillerans today still carry out their indigenous knowledge in their daily living.
They observe traditional healing practices with rituals and indigenous herbs, traditional
farming and other livelihood practices. The different tribes in the region also perform
thanksgiving rituals like cañao and healing rituals like bunong (Bitog, 2011).
Barangay Cayapes is one of the barangays in the Municipality of Kapangan who
have existing rituals or beliefs. These rituals are being done by the manbunongs and the
elders in the said place. Some of the rituals being practiced mostly is Bogaw Di Dontog
(roughly translated as “shout of the mountain”).
Bogaw di Dontog is done when the couple is engaged in premarital sex. This ritual
is done by the elders and manbunongs to the couple the day before their wedding where in
they will butcher a piglet and they will feed it only to unmarried men. Before feeding it to
them, the manbunong will utter some prayers for the couple so that their child in the future
will give them luck. After the prayer the unmarried men can eat the meat of the piglet and
the elders can give some advice for the couple.
This ritual is known only in some brangays of Kapangan. It is encouraged by the
elders and manbunongs to every couple who are engaged in premarital sex to do this ritual
before their wedding because they believe that if they are not going to do it, their
relationship will fade. Some elders also believe that their child in the future will also engage
in premarital sex.
In Cayapes, there are many teen agers who are engaged in premarital sex but they
did not applied Bogaw di Dontog after few months they got separated.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Documenting this ritual is important for it may give insights and for them to see the
changes occurred in the practice and the reasons why it change. It may also give an idea to
the communication students on how communication is used in every aspect of culture.
This study may also give importance to the role of elders and manbunongs in the
community particularly in Bogaw di Dontog.
Statement of the Problem
The study aimed to determine Bogaw Di Dontog: an existing pre-marriage
cleansing ritual in barangay Cayapes. It was conducted to answer the following questions:
1. What is Bogaw Di Dontog and its origin?
2. What are the processes in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog?
3. What are the changes in the practice of Bogaw di Dontog?
a. Where is it done?
b. Who are the people involved?
c. What are the materials used?
d. What are the prayers in the practice?
4. What is the perceived importance of Bogaw Di Dontog?
5. What are the values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog? and,
6. What are the challenges encountered in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog?
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Objectives of the Study
Generally, the study aimed to document Bogaw Di Dontog: an existing pre-
marriage cleansing ritual in barangay Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet.
Specifically, the study aimed to:
1. describe the origin of Bogaw Di Dontog;
2. document the processes in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog;
3. determine the changes in the practice of Bogaw Di Dontog;
4. determine the importance of Bogaw Di Dontog;
5. identify the values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog; and,
6. determine the challenges being encountered in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog.
Importance of the Study
This study could be significant in a way that it will call for the preservation of the
culture amidst to modernization not only on agriculture but the community as a whole. The
study may also serve as a resource material on the study of indigenous practices or rituals.
The result of this study may be beneficial also to all the researchers or students for
it can be an additional source of information.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study was conducted in barangay Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet. The study
focused on the origin of Bogaw Di Dontog; the documentation of the processes in
practicing Bogaw Di Dontog; the changes in the practice of Bogaw di dontog; the perceived
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
importance of Bogaw Di Dontog; the values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog; and the
challenges encountered in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog.
It will not include other wedding practices.
Data gathered on December 2012 to January 2013.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Indigenous Knowledge
Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is the information base for a society, which facilities
communication and decision-making. Indigenous information systems are dynamic, and
are continually influenced by internal creativity and experimentation as well as by contact
with external systems (Flavier, et al., 1995).
According to Grenier (1998), IK refers to the unique, traditional, local knowledge
existing within and developed around the specific conditions of women and men
indigenous to a particular geographic area. The development of IK systems, covering all
aspects of life including management of the natural environment, has been a matter of
survival to the peoples who generated these systems.
Practices of Indigenous Knowledge
In the study of Camiling (2012), she presented the processes and materials prepared
for the ritual as done by the people of Nakiangan, Abatan, Buguias, Benguet during Denet.
Before the ritual, when the farmer is about to harvest his crops and expecting for a bountiful
harvest, he consults the manbunong and they will set a date for the ritual. It should be
before the harvest day. During the ritual, they will prepare the materials to be used; setting
up pudong or the tying of runo grass to signify that Denet is taking place in the area; praying
over the native chickens; butchering two native chicken; reading the chickens’ bile;
cooking of the meat; putting the chickens’ feathers around the pudong, and praying over
the cooked meat. After preparing all the materials needed, the manbunong will now
perform the ritual together with the farmer.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
According to the study of Limmong (2012), there are also rituals performed after
rituals like Ngilin where in it is the holiday of the bereaved family, time of cleaning their
house and they are not allowed to go to work or in ant feast. There is also called Lawit
where everybody will stay home the whole day and they are not allowed to go to work to
show that they mourn for the dead. After a year, a ritual is also conducted called the Binong-
ar or Binogwah. This is a bone cleansing practice where the bones of the dead are brought
out for cleaning.
The study of Basalong (2009), also presented the ritual Sangbo/Sengbo, which was
done to ask for blessings, like good fortune and good health from ‘Kabunian’ and the spirits
of the dead with the realization of any good omen seen by an individual. A good omen or
sign is interpreted by the ‘mansip-ok’. These may be seen in dreams like of one becoming
an important person and some creatures like a dog carrying a stick in its mouth. It is
believed that these omens of blessings will actually happen only with the performance of
Sangbo. In this ritual, a pig is butchered and when cooked, the meat together with rice wine
is offered to ‘Kabunian’. Prayers uttered depend on the ‘manbunog’.
Changes in the Practice of Indigenous Knowledge
According to the study of Wailan (2008), there are changes in the culture of the
Baliwon Tribe due to the influence of the modernizing world. These changes were changes
in the traditional communication practices in marriage, where parental arrangement is no
longer observed; changes in the traditional communication practices on birth wherein child
that is born today, there is no ‘songa’ performed. Other changes were changes in the
traditional communication practices in curing the sick where curing the sick today were
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
brought to the hospital; changes in the traditional communication practices on death
wherein, ‘binunga’ was no longer performed in death cases and lastly, changes in the
traditional communication practices in resolving conflicts where nowadays, resolving
conflicts are done in accordance with the laws of the government just like the papers that
serves as proof and the case was finished.
Importance of Indigenous Knowledge
In the emerging global knowledge economy a country’s ability to build and
mobilize knowledge capital, is equally essential for sustainable development as availability
of physical and financial capital. The basis component of any country’s knowledge system
is its IK. It encompasses the skills, experiences and insights of people, applied to maintain
and improve their livelihood (World Bank, 1997).
The Cordillera Administrative Region of the Philippines has a long history and rich
diversity of indigenous knowledge covering all aspects of life including community
practices, institutions, relationships and rituals. It is the basis for agriculture, food
preparation, health care, education and training, and environmental conservation.
Indigenous Knowledge should be conserve because it can be put to good use in
development practices, through its utilization of cost-effective and sustainable strategies
that may help poor people in their daily struggle for survival (Macandog, et al., 2012).
According to Castro (1995) as cited by Cawayan (2012), Indigenous Knowledge
Systems are pathways we could try in search for ways by which human beings could live
in harmony with God’s creation and not subdue or exploit nature for the sake of safe term
material growth. They may be one golden key towards our finding solutions or powerful
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
allies to minimize, retard, forestall, ward off, or even annihilate humanity’s emerging
nightmares ranging from widespread famine and starvation to loss of species and
biodiversity to destruction of the ozone layer, to acid rain.
Values in Indigenous Knowledge
In the study of Cawayan (2012), her respondent said that there are many values
reflected in the practice of Kenta in Bagnen, Bauko, Mountain Province. These values were
best realized by an individual if he or she joins in the actual performance. The values
reflected are unity, pakiksama, respect, helpfulness, responsibility, hospitality, generosity
and love of culture.
According to the study of Sagayo (2012), there are values learned in the processes
involved from Ammuyo practice of Bago Tribe in Banga, Sugpon, Ilocos Sur. Five of her
key informants and twenty respondents stated that the practice Ammuyo as a social activity
deserves to be passed and kept because it taught values. These values were cooperation,
freedom, unity, dependent, trustworthy, solidarity, responsible and peace. One of her five
respondent added faithfulness.
Challenges Encountered in Practicing IK
According to the study of Saydoven (2012), there are problems in transmitting
Indigenous Knowledge in Barangay Data of Sabangan, Mountain Province. Some of the
problems they encounter while passing the knowledge on the old days of rice production
to the younger generation are mostly connected to the following factors: attitudes of youth
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
towards these IKSP’s like the lack of interest of the younger generation to learn the rituals
and prayers; migration and the conservation of the community people in spiritual beliefs.
In the study of Palcon (2012), there were perceived challenges in the practice of
Mangmang. These were differences in spiritual beliefs where some no longer believe in
anitos; declining number of elders where it lessen the opportunity for them to pass the
rituals; inter-marriage where it influence and cause change to the person from their own
tribe; migration wherein the change in the type of the animal to be butcher is caused by
migration; emergence of technologies where these gadgets could be used conveniently by
the messenger when calling for participants; education wherein some educated leave their
own culture like their past.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of the Study
The study was conducted in Barangay Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet. This barangay
is one of the 15 barangays in the municipality of Kapangan (Figure 1) and one of the
smallest barangay which consist of 3 sitios namely Cayapes Proper, Lucot and Dagao. As
of 2010, Barangay Cayapes has 844 populations.
Barangay Cayapes can be reached by jeepneys, buses or private cars from Baguio
City for 2-3 hours. Farming is the main source of livelihood of the people in Cayapes with
rice and cucumber as their main crops.
This barangay was chosen because most of the manbunongs and elders who usually
perform Bogaw Di Dontog, reside in this barangay.
Respondents of the Study
The information needed in this study was gathered from the remaining three
manbunongs, five elders who are knowledgeable about the ritual, four couples who
experienced and three unmarried men who experienced attending the ritual in the locale of
the study. They have been identified as holders of specialized knowledge by the residents
in the barangay.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Data Collection
Data was collected through the key informant interviews using guide questions. It
was translated into Kankana-ey for easier understanding between the researcher and the
key informants.
Data Gathered
The data gathered were the origin of Bogaw Di Dontog; processes in practicing
Bogaw Di Dontog; the changes in the practice of Bogaw Di Dontog; perceived importance
of Bogaw Di Dontog; the values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog and the challenges being
encountered in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog.
Data Analysis
The data was consolidated and presented in a descriptive and narrative form.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Figure 1. Map of Kapangan showing the locale of the study
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Origin of Bogaw Di Dontog
Bogaw Di Dontog was said to have come from a folk story. According to the story
of Apisa Atting, one of the manbunongs, Bogaw Di Dontog was started with the story of
Lumawig and Bangan. Lumawig was an immortal man, son of Kabunyan, who was send
down to the earth to teach the people how to live on earth. While staying on earth, Lumawig
met Bangan, a mortal woman from earth. They fell inlove with each other. They engaged
in premarital sex and lived in the mountain. One day, while they were walking, they
accidentally stepped on the rock in their way and it fell down from the mountain which
destroyed the house of the anitos. That made the anitos angry and cursed them. The anitos
cursed that every couple who are engaged in premarital sex will be given a child who will
give them bad luck in the future or their child will be abnormal or masidingan.
As time went by, when the elders heard about this, they thought of the best way to
cure the curse and that is where Bogaw Di Dontog was started.
Bogaw di Dontog is done when the couple engaged in premarital sex. This ritual is
done by the elders and manbunongs to the couple the day before the couple’s wedding.
They will butcher a piglet and they will feed it only to unmarried men who attended the
ritual.
The key informant also said that Bogaw Di Dontog should be done the day before
their wedding so that they will be cleaned first before they take vow for their marriage.
To every couple who engaged in pre-marital sex and planning for wedding, before
their wedding, the couples who believe in the ritual will be the one to approach the
manbunong to do the ritual for them. Some couples also send their parents to tell to the
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
manbunong for them. Couples who do not believe in the ritual were not forced to do it.
Lubid said, “Maka uway da adi nu ga an da. Basta et adin masidingan anak da”. (It is up
to them if they do not want to do the ritual. Hopefully their future child will not become
abnormal).
According to Eslao, key informant, couples are afraid not to tell them the truth
because the manbunongs will soon find out and it is shameful for them.
Processes of Bogaw Di Dontog
There were four procedures in doing Bogaw Di Dontog. First is preparing the
materials to be used like piglet and tapuey (rice wine), second is praying the bunong, third
is singeing of the piglet in the fire and butchering it, and lastly is praying another bunong
for the liver of the piglet and feed the meat to the people after they cook.
Preparation of the materials to be used. Figure 2 shows the materials used by the
manbunong during the ritual. The manbunong will first find a good place for the ritual. It
should not be in a place where people are passing by. Liwangan Lubid, explained that it
should not be in a place where people are passing by because the curse might transfer to
them. Also they should find a place that was hidden and not too far from the house of the
couple. Tapuey and the piglet were the mostly needed in this ritual. Tapuey was needed
for the cleansing of the couple. It was for the cursed to be washed away and for the bad
luck not come back. The piglet to be used should be the native one. As stated by Gaynap
Eslao, one of the manbunong, “Adin mabalin ay mausar din busaang ay nagal-galitan uno
din mankilat tan ewed ah, adin mayat tumurungan din bunong. Adin man epekto”
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
(A piglet that is dotted with white or pure white colored piglet should not be used because
the bunong will be rejected or will not be effective).
Lubid said that it should only be a piglet not the big one because it is just for the
ritual and for the couple not to spend much. He also added, “Dapat ida et baken en
kumkumpormi ay animal di mausal kaman din manok uno aso. Tan din manok et
sumaysayag da sa sunga isayag da din bunong et ewed di ganas na metlang. Pati metlang
nu aso et lawa tan pumadpadtok da, ipadtok da abe din bunong sunga lawa. Isunga di
talaga ay dapat mausar et din busaang tan say mantete-e anggoy sin daga ta say baken en
makaan din swerte”(Not any animals should be used in this ritual like the chicken or dog.
It is because the chicken flies so the luck of the bunong might fly away. Same with the dog
because they jump so this might cause the luck jump to be lost that makes the ritual
ineffective. So, we really should use the pig because they behave or just stay in land
resulting to an effective bunong).
In doing the ritual, the piglet and tapuey should stay together with the manbunong.
The couples should not be in the ritual during the praying and butchering the piglet. They
just stay in their house because the curse might come back according to Eslao.
The manbunong and some helpers will be the one only in the said place. They
should be unmarried men or the ones who also experienced the ritual. According to the key
informants, unmarried men should be the one attending the ritual because they did not
engaged in pre-marital sex and they did not married yet. Lubid added that anybody may
also attend as long as they were not afraid of the consequence of it that their future child
also can be masidingan or it can also give them bad luck.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
The attendees will be the ones to help the elders in preparing the materials for the
ritual like the piglet, chairs for the people and other materials. They are the ones also to
help the manbunong by holding the piglet on the ground. Attendees will also be the ones
to singe, butcher, and cook the meat for the people.
Once the materials were ready settled down, the manbunong started praying the
bunong with the tapuey and piglet.
Figure 2. The piglet and tapuey were prepared in the ritual
Praying the bunong. In praying the bunong, the manbunong will drip some of the
tapuey in the ground using a leaf of a coconut tree beside the piglet while uttering the
bunong, presented in Figure 3. The bunong goes this way, “ Si Bangan en Lumawig ay nan
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
asawa da. Nan as-aspo da ay ewed katulagana. Nan aspo da sin danan ta nu waday nagat-
gatinan das bato sin dontog et adin maisiding en daida. Si (Name of the Couple) ay nan
asawa da. Nan as-aspo da ay ewed katulagana. Nan aspo da sin danan ta nu waday nagat-
gatinan das bato sin dontog et adin maisiding en daida. Si (Name of the Couple) ay nan
asawa da. Nan as-aspo da ay ewed katulagana. Nan aspo da sin danan ta nu waday nagat-
gatinan das bato sin dontog et adin maisiding en daida” (Bangan and Lumawig were
married. They met without any conditions. They met in their way and if they stepped on a
stone from their way that fell in the mountain, it will not affect them. (Name of the Couple)
were married. They met without any conditions. They met in their way and if they stepped
on a stone from their way that fell in the mountain, it will not affect them. (Name of the
Couple) were married. They met without any conditions. They met in their way and if they
stepped on a stone from their way that fell in the mountain, it will not affect them).
After the bunong, the manbunong says, “May sige eweken yo ta idawis yo nan
busaang ta ilan tako din atey na nu siya metlang ay mayat” (You can now “ewek” and
singe the piglet so that we are going to check if the liver is good).
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Figure 3. The manbunong dripping out some of the tapuey while praying
Singeing and butchering the piglet. Figure 4-6 shows how they “ewek”, singe the
piglet and butcher it. After singeing, they are going to butcher the piglet and get the liver
and give it to the manbunong. The manbunong will check the liver if it is good or healthy.
If the liver is good, the manbunong will continue the ritual. If otherwise, they should
butcher another piglet. According to Lubid, they need to check if the liver is healthy so that
the ritual will be effective. After checking the liver, the manbunong will utter again a
bunong for the liver.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Figure 4. They are starting to ewek the piglet
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Figure 5. They are singeing the piglet after they ewek
Figure 6. The men butcher the piglet they singe
Praying bunong for the liver. Figure 7 shows how they remove the liver. Before
the prayer, the manbunong will check if the liver is good and if it is not, they should look
for another piglet with healthy liver for the luck to come. As stated by Eslao, one of the
key informants, “ No binmubul-ay din podis na sin atey, mayat ngem nu naetatabon sin
atey na, masapol ay masukatan din busaang ay maparti” (If the bile was outside the liver,
it is good but if the bile was hidden in the liver, they need to change the piglet).
After checking, the manbunong will utter a bunong for the liver. The bunong goes
this way, “Ah, siya ay mayat metlang nan atey na et nan duwa ay man asawa ay
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
mabogawan et adi dan masidingan. Ta nu waday nagatinan da et adin mantauli en daida”
(Ah, the liver is healthy so the couple who are doing this ritual will not face the
consequence. So, the thing that they stepped on will not go back to them).
After the prayer, the meat is cooked and distributed to the people who attended the
ritual.
Figure 7. One of the unmarried men removing the liver (encircled)
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
After the process of Bogaw Di Dontog, the couples are going to wait if the practice
is effective if their future child is healthy and if they did not experienced too much bad luck
in their life.
According to Divina and Joaquin Pilo, the couple in the practice, “Dakami pay adi
et mamati kami ay wada iman di mangyari ay mayat tan say enyat met iman dadin
kakasing-sing kod idi yan doy nan epekto met iman isunga sigurista kami ay wada ay wada
imam di mangyari abe en dakami” (We believe that there will be good things to happen for
us because my cousin also did the ritual before and it was effective for them, that is why
we are sure that there is also luck for us).
These processes was somewhat related with the study of Camiling (2012), wherein
she presented the processes and materials prepared for the ritual as done by the people of
Nakiangan, Abatan, Buguias, Benguet during Denet. During the ritual, they will prepare
the materials to be used; setting up pudong or the tying of runo grass to signify that Denet
is taking place in the area; praying over the native chickens; butchering two native chicken;
reading the chickens’ bile; cooking of the meat; putting the chickens’ feathers around the
pudong, and praying over the cooked meat.
Changes in the Practice of Bogaw Di Dontog
All the respondents stated that there were many changes occurred in the practice of
Bogaw Di Dontog. These changes were shown in Table 1.
According to the manbunongs, there were changes in the place where they are
conducting the ritual. Instead of doing it in the mountain, they are now doing it beside the
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
house of the couple or in some part of their backyard as long as there are no people passing
by in that area. According to Gaynap Eslao, one of the manbunongs, this is because
mountains today were already built with houses and some mountains were far. They also
added that in doing the ritual in the mountain, the anitos that live in the mountain will
surely listen to the bunong.
Furthermore, at present, the people who can attend and eat the meat in the ritual
were not only those unmarried men but those couples who have experienced doing Bogaw
Di Dontog. As stated by Liwangan Lubid, poverty is one of the reasons why these people
attend the ritual. “Piyan da ay emey ya makipangan side ah tan wada di karne ay isida da
ay baken kaman ed be-ey da,” he added. (They want to go and eat there because there is
meat for their viand not unlike in their houses). This is supported by Mingo Liso, one of
the unmarried men who attended the ritual, he said, “Emey kami adi makiwatwat ta waday
sida anggan owat mokang.” (We came because there is viand even if it is a piglet only).
Table 1. Changes in the Practice of Bogaw Di Dontog
OLD PRACTICE
PRESENT PRACTICE
Bogaw Di Dontog is usually done in the Bogaw Di Dontog is done beside the house
mountain because they believe that the of the couple or in some part of their
anitos in the mountain will listen to the backyard where nobody is passing by.
bunong.
The people who can attend and eat the meat People who can attend and eat the meat of
of the piglet in the ritual are only those the piglet in the ritual are not only those
unmarried men.
unmarried men but it can be also to married
men and to those people who experienced
doing the ritual.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
In addition, they also used tapuey (rice wine) as their tool while praying the bunong.
Lubid said that tapuey is appropriate to use because that is what they used since then that
is why they need to follow until now. They also used native pure black piglet until now
because it is the proper animal to use according to the key informants.
Perceived Importance of Bogaw Di Dontog
According to the respondents, Bogaw Di Dontog is very important especially when
couples had pre-marital sex. Atting said while laughing, “Nu piyan da ay manswerte da ya
baken masidingan anak dan to nu dumteng di agew, man bogaw da ngem nu siga-an da ay
manbogaw adi et maka-amo da.” (If they want luck and normal child in the future, they
should perform Bogaw Di Dontog but if they do not like, it is their choice). Eslao also
added that, this ritual is a form of cleansing and a form of asking forgiveness to Kabunyan
for what they did (pre-marital sex).
This was supported by Mr. Peter and Mrs. Andring Aniban, one of the couples who
experienced performimg the ritual, they said, “ Mayat met iman sin nanbogaw kami. Doy
iman ay mayat di torong di biyag ya laton met ay adin kami nanrigat si perme.” (We had
good life when we did the ritual and we did not face too much problems).
In other case, Mr. Fiber and Mrs. Melba Coilan, another couple, said that there were
no changes before and after they performed the ritual but they had healthy kids. According
to Eslao, it is up to the people if they believe or not but for them, if you believe in the ritual,
surely, this will be effective for you. Lubid also added, “Nu adin man epekto en sik a,
baken paran sik a san swerte ya siguro baken dan ipipatnek din bogaw sunga kamanadi.
Dapat gamin et ipapati da ay man iamag sin Bogaw di Dontog ta mayat tumurongana” (If
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
it is not effective to you, the luck is not for you and maybe the ritual is not in their hearts.
They should be really willing to do it so that it will really effect to them).
There was also a case of another respondent, Melisa Danun, wherein they did not
apply Bogaw Di Dontog before their wedding because according to them, they do not have
money for it. After three years, they had two kids but their first child was abnormal or
became special child.
The key informants also added that they are not insisting the couples to do the ritual
because some do not believe in it and it depends to their belief. But, to those who believe,
they should to the ritual because it is for them.
Moreover, the key informants stated that Bogaw Di Dontog should be preserved
because it was the tradition of the elders before and we should treasure it. They also added
we should not let culture vanish because it is a unique gift that nobody could steal it from
us.
Perceived Values Reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog
All of the key informants and ten respondents stated that the practice of Bogaw Di
Dontog as a social activity deserves to be passed and kept because it taught many values.
These values were respect for the elders, unity, cooperation, resourcefulness, friendship,
responsibility, generosity and peacefulness. There are also values that were observed by
the researcher these are honesty, care for the child, care for their family and respect for
virginity.
Respect for elders. This was defined as an act of giving particular attention or
consideration. This was observed during Bogaw Di Dontog because the people showed that
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
they are respecting the elders by helping them when they have heavy loads such as chairs,
fire woods and other things needed for the ritual. The youth also used uncle, aunt “anti”,
lola and lolo.
All the key informants confirmed that this attitude was also observed.
Unity. This was defined as the state of being in agreement and working together.
This attitude was also observed during Bogaw Di Dontog. According to Lubid, they helped
each other in preparing the materials used in the ritual. All of them worked to finish their
work at the same time. No one worked alone but they worked together to finish what they
are doing.
All the key informants and the twelve respondents said that they learned and
observed these values in the practice of Bogaw Di Dontog.
Cooperation. It was defined as the association of persons for common benefit.
Bogaw Di Dontog is where they observed this principle because when they perform this,
the residents or elders cooperate and join. They also voluntarily go and whole-heartedly
help in the preparation.
The key informants and respondents believed that they learned this values in the
practice of Bogaw Di Dontog.
Resourcefulness. It was defined as capable of devising ways and means. In Bogaw
Di Dontog, the elders and the residents find ways in exchange of the things they need to
use. An example of a situation which showed the presence of resourcefulness was when
the residents made plates out of the banana trunk whenever there is no plate.
All the key informants and respondents confirmed that this ethic was observed and
learned.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Friendship. It was defined as the quality or state of being friendly. All of the elders
and the residents are neighbors and friends. Telling stories and sharing ideas while waiting
for the food built friendship among the elders and the residents. In this way, some of the
youths who attended Bogaw Di Dontog gained stories or riddles of the elders about the
past.
All the key informants and the respondents believed that this value was observed
during Bogaw Di Dontog.
Responsibility. It was defined as involving personal ability to act without superior
authority. Both elders and residents had their own responsibilities during the practice of
Bogaw Di Dontog. The residents or the attendees have to prepare the food while the elders
are tasked to help in the preparation of the things needed in the ritual.
The key informants and twelve respondents stated that this value was observed and
learned during Bogaw Di Dontog.
Generosity. It was defined as the act of sharing or being generous. There were ten
respondents who stated that sharing was taught and observed in the ritual. They share
foods, ideas or knowledge to each other during Bogaw Di Dontog.
The key informants confirmed that this value was observed in the practice.
Peacefulness. It was defined as the state of living in a silent place without arguing.
The elders and the attendees usually helped each other in their work without arguing during
Bogaw Di Dontog. There was peace and unity in them.
Both key informants and the respondents believed that this value was learned from
the ritual.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Honesty. It was defined as truthful or the quality of being honest. I also observed
that honesty was learned in the ritual because Bogaw Di Dontog will not be done if the
couples did not tell to the elders that they had pre-marital sex. Telling the truth was in them.
The key informants confirmed that this ethics was observed and learned from the
ritual.
Care for the child. It was defined as the quality of concerning one’s child. In Bogaw
Di Dontog, caring for the future child was learned and observed by the researcher. The
couples thought to do this ritual because they are concerned to what may happen for their
child in the future.
Care for family. This was defined as the quality of concerning one’s family or love
for family. I also observed that care for family was observed and learned in the ritual
because without the care of doing Bogaw Di Dontog, couples also do not care about what
might happen to their family in the future.
Respect for virginity. It was defined as quality of valuing purity. I observed that
respect for virginity was the most important value to learn in Bogaw Di Dontog. This ritual
should be the reason of the youth today not to have pre-marital sex before the wedding.
Youth today should afraid of pre-marital sex because of this ritual.
These values were slightly same with the study of Cawayan (2012), that her
respondents also enumerated values reflected in the practice of Kenta in Bagnen, Bauko,
Mountain Province. These values were unity, pakikisama, respect, helpfulness,
responsibility, hospitality, generosity and love of culture.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Challenges Encountered in Practicing Bogaw Di Dontog
Every key informants stated different challenges they encountered but they also
stated ways on how they sustain these challenges.
Vina Tada, one of the respondents, stated that they sustain Bogaw Di Dontog by
sharing and informing to the youth the importance of Bogaw Di Dontog since the
generation today really needs this ritual.
Differences in spiritual beliefs. Liwangan Lubid, one of the key informants, stated
that because of beliefs, Bogaw Di Dontog is fading and only few believe in this ritual.
He also added, “Ed niman ay Kristyano da kanu et adi da en mamati tan eyat dan
aramid kanu di demonyo nan am-amagen mi ngem say intudo da garud ed bayag idi dapat
et amagen taku abe baken din dinimonyoan” (People today were Christians and they are
no longer believed in this ritual because according to them, it is demons work but no
because this ritual was taught by the elders before not demons work).
Differences in beliefs. Gaynap Eslao, one of the key informants, said that
generations today have different beliefs that are opposite to theirs that is why they really
need to teach or tell to the youth that Bogaw Di Dontog should be maintained because it
was already started since then.
She also added that whatever happens, this ritual should be maintained and be
transferred to every generation.
Economic reasons. There were five respondents who stated that preference of the
people not to do the ritual was a challenge in the practice. There were people in the
barangay who preferred not to do it because according to them, it is an added expense and
they do not have money.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
This was supported by Lagnay Leganio, one of the respondents, she said,“ Edniman
iman et adi da en amagen ah tan manparti da paylang iman si busaang yan isu py ay
gastos.” (Some are not doing this ritual today because they are going to butcher again
another piglet which will mean more expenses).
Death of manbunongs. Two respondents stated that the lost of manbunongs was
also a challenge in the ritual. Manbunongs are the leaders in Bogaw Di dontog. They were
the ones who have authority in doing the ritual. They were also the one who can teach and
share the process to the young. In addition, these were respected by the youth that is why
they followed and listened to their advices. According to the key informants, before they
die they should teach it first to the youths for them to learn how to do it in the next
generation.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
Generally, the study was conducted to document Bogaw Di Dontog: an existing
pre-marriage ritual in barangay Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet. Specifically, it aimed to
describe the origin of Bogaw Di Dontog, document the processes in practicing Bogaw Di
Dontog, determine the changes in the practice of Bogaw di Dontog, determine the
importance of Bogaw Di Dontog, identify the values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog, and
determine the challenges being encountered in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog.
There were three manbunongs as the key informants, five elders who are
knowledgeable about t the ritual, four couples who experienced doing the ritual and three
unmarried men who experienced attending the ritual.
They were interviewed personally by the researcher through guide questions which
was conducted from December 2012 to January 2013.
Barangay Cayapes is one of the barangays in the Municipality of Kapangan which
have existing rituals or beliefs. These rituals are being done by the manbunongs and the
elders in the said place. Some of the rituals being practiced mostly is Bogaw Di Dontog
(roughly translated as “shout of the mountain”).
Bogaw Di Dontog was started when Lumawig and Bangan engaged in premarital
sex and lives in the mountain. They accidentally stepped on a rock which made the anitos
cursed them and all the couples who will engage in premarital sex. After years, the elders
started to think for the solution where Bogaw Di Dontog started.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Bogaw Di Dontog has five procedures. First is preparing the materials to be used
like piglet and tapuey. After that, the manbunong will find a good place for the ritual. It
should not be in a place where people are passing by because if otherwise, they believe that
the ritual will not be effective. Second is praying the bunong where in the manbunong will
tip out some of the tapuey in the ground beside the piglet while uttering the bunong. Third
is singeing of the piglet and butchering it. After singeing, they are going to butcher the
piglet and get the liver and give it to the manbunong. The manbunong will check the liver
if it is good or healthy. If the liver is good, the manbunong will continue the ritual.
Otherwise, they should butcher another piglet. And lastly is praying another bunong for
the liver of the piglet and feed the meat to the people after they cook.
Just like other cultures, Bogaw Di Dontog has also changes like changes in the place
they are doing the ritual. Instead of doing it in the mountain, they are now doing it beside
the house of the couple or in some part of their backyard as long as there are no people
passing by in that area. Another change is that, the people who can attend and eat the piglet
in the ritual are not only those unmarried men but those couples who have experienced
doing Bogaw Di Dontog. It can be attended by anybody as long as they are not afraid of
the consequence of it that their child also can be masidingan or it can also give them bad
luck.
Bogaw Di Dontog has also importance. According to the respondents, Bogaw Di
Dontog is very important because it cleansed the couples before their marriage. This will
prevent bad luck and will not result to abnormal children.
Moreover, the key informants stated that Bogaw Di Dontog should be preserved
because it was the tradition of the elders before and we should treasure it. They also added
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
we should not let culture vanish because it is a unique gift that nobody could steal it from
us.
The values learned from the ritual were: respect for the elders, unity, cooperation,
resourcefulness, friendship, responsible, generosity, peacefulness, honesty, care for the
child, care for the family and respect for virginity. These values were observed and learned
by the key informants, respondents and the researcher.
Challenges in the ritual were also enumerated by the key informants and
respondents. These challenges were spiritual beliefs where in because of this, others do not
believe in the ritual because for them, it is a demons work. Another challenge is the
differences in beliefs where in, one of the key informants said that generations today have
different beliefs that are opposite to theirs that is why they really need to teach or tell to the
youth that Bogaw Di Dontog should be maintained because it was already started since
then. An economic reason is another challenge because according to them, they do not have
money to buy a piglet so, it is better not to do it. And, another challenge is that, two of the
respondents stated the death of manbunongs wherein without them, the ritual is fading also
because they are the one who have the authority to do it. These manbunongs also are
respected by the youth that is why they followed and listened to their advices. That is why
they need to teach and share this to the youngs for them to know the process of it.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Conclusions
The following conclusions were based on the findings of the study:
1. Bogaw Di Dontog is a cleansing ritual with the purpose of sanctifying the
relationship before marriage.
2. The practice of Bogaw Di Dontog is attended by anyone in the community.
3. Practicing Bogaw Di Dontog follows procedures that needs to be observed
properly.
4. Bogaw Di Dontog is practiced because it serves very important purposes.
5. There are still values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog.
6. Bogaw Di Dontog is faced with several challenges that may
lead to the extinction of the practice.
Recommendations
1. Bogaw Di Dontog may be maintained to sustain the sanctify of marriage
among the people of Kapangan.
2. The attendees in the ritual should observe and learn the process of the
ritual for them to get information about it and share to the next generation.
4. Values in the practice of Bogaw Di Dontog should be learned.
5. More studies on cultural practices of Kapangan is recommended.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
LITERATURE CITED
BASALONG, G. M. 2009. Indigenous Ways of Knowing Manbunong Practices Among
the Kankana-Ey and Ibaloi in Kapangan, Benguet. BS Thesis. Benguet State
University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 18.
BITOG, R. B. 2011. Survey of Feature Articles on Cordillera Indigenous Knowledge in
Campus Publications of Metro-Baguio. BS Thesis. Benguet State University, La
Trinidad Benguet. P. 1.
CAMILING, G. D. 2012. Namuna Ay Apit: A Documentation of Denet and Its
Communicated Values Among the Farmers of Nakiangan, Abatan, Buguias,
Benguet. BS Thesis. Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. Pp. 16, 19.
CAWAYAN, S. B. 2012. Continuing the Life of Kenta: A Documentation of a
Traditional Practice of Bagnen, Bauko, Mountain Province. BS Thesis. Benguet
State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 7.
FLAVIER, J. M, D. M. WARREN, L. J. SLIKKERVEER and D. BROKENSHA. 1995.
The Regional Program for the Promotion of Indigenous Knowldege in Asia.
http://www.worldbank.org/afr/ik/basic.htm.
GAMPOL, J. G. 2012. Philippine Websites as Medium For Disseminating Cordillera
Indigenous Knowledge. BS Thesis. Benguet State University, La Trinidad
Benguet. P. 2.
GRENIER, L. 1998. Working with Indigenous Knowledge: A Guide for Researchers.
IDRC, Ottawa. P. 1.
LIMMONG, E. B. 2012. Documentation of Rituals of the Gohang People in Banaue
Ifugao during Burials. BS Thesis. Benguet State University, La Trinidad,
Benguet. Pp. 21, 26.
MACANDOG, D. B, E. R. ABUCAY, L. G. LIRIO, L. O. AYYOKAD, J. N. PAING,
J. E. SAGUIBO, E. T. MIGUEL and M. T. TOMBALI. 2012. Understanding and
Conserving
Indigenous Knowledge on Sustainable Natural Resource
Management in the Cordillera Admnistrative Region of the Philipppines. P. 3.
PALCON, E. E. 2012. The Power of Ritual: Capturing the Communication Processes in
the Practice of Mangmang for Community Development by the Bontoc Tribe in
Sitio Bayabas, Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet. BS Thesis. Benguet State University,
La Trinidad, Benguet. Pp. 43-47
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
SAGAYO, N. C. 2012. Processes Involved and Values Leearned from Ammuyo Practice
of Bago Tribe in Banga, Sugpon, Ilocos Sur. BS
Thesis.
Benguet
State
University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 38
SAYDOVEN, S. C. 2012. Existing Indigenous Knowledge, Systems and Practices on rice
Production in Barangay Data, Sabangan, Sabangan, Mountain Province. BS
Thesis. Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. Pp. 23-28.
WAILAN, A. T. 2008. Documentation of the Traditional Communication Practices of the
Baliwon Tribe in Barangay Bantay, Paracelis, Mountain Province. BS Thesis.
Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. Pp. 33-35.
WORLD BANK 1997. Knowledge and Skills for the Information Age, the First Meeting
of
the
Mediterranean
Development
Forum.
http://www.worldbank.org/afr/ik/basic.htm.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013. Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-
marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet. Benguet State
University. La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Anna Liza B. Wakat, MDevCom
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to document the process of Bogaw Di Dontog: an existing
pre-marriage cleansing ritual in baragay Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet.
Specifically, the study aimed to describe the origin of Bogaw Di Dontog, document
the processes in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog, determine the changes in the practice in the
practice of Bogaw Di Dontog, determine the importance of Bogaw Di Dontog in the
community, identify the values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog and determine the challenges
being encountered in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog.
The study was conducted in Barangay Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet from
December 2012 to January 2013 using personal interview with the guide questions. There
were three manbunongs as the key informants, five elders who were knowledgeable about
the ritual, four couples who experienced doing the ritual and three unmarried men who
experienced attending the ritual.
Bogaw Di Dontog started as a folk tale story of Lumawig and Bangan wherein they
engaged in pre-marital sex and committed a sin in the mountain that made the anitos cursed
them. Bogaw Di Dontog was a solution for the cursed wherein couples who engaged in
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
pre-marital sex should undergo in this ritual before their wedding. This ritual has five
procedures. These were preparing the materials to be used and the venue for the ritual,
praying the bunong for the couples, singeing and butchering the piglet and lastly, praying
bunong for the liver.
There were also changes in this ritual like the place in performing Bogaw Di Dontog
and the attendees in the ritual.
Bogaw Di Dontog has importance especially to couples who engaged in pre-
marital sex.
The values learned in Bogaw Di Dontog included respect for the elders, unity,
cooperation, resourcefulness, friendship, responsibility, generosity, peacefulness, honesty,
care for the child, care for the family and respect for virginity.
Challenges in the ritual were also determined such as spiritual beliefs, differences
in beliefs, economic reason and death of manbunongs.
In conclusion, Bogaw Di Dontog was a cleansing ritual with the purpose of
sanctifying the relationship before marriage; the practice of Bogaw Di Dontog was attended
by anyone in the community following certain procedure with specific purpose; and there
were still values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog.
The study therefore recommends the following: Bogaw Di Dontog may be
maintained to sustain the sanctify of marriage among the people of Kapangan; the attendees
in the ritual should observe and learn the process of the ritual for them to get information
about it and share to the next generation; and more studies on cultural practices of
Kapangan is recommended.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
Filipinos have different kinds of cultures and rituals. We have this indigenous
knowledge, skills, and practices or what we call IKSP that our forefathers had been
practicing. When the foreigners came, the introduction of foreign cultures made our
cultures starting to vanish. Despite this, we are still grateful that some of these IKSPs are
still being practiced in some places. These cultures and rituals give us unique identity.
Indigenous Knowledge in the Cordillera is unique because it embraces insights,
experience, skills, and creativity of IP’s. For us not to lose IK, some cultures or rituals have
been documented in forms of story books, video documentaries, journals, and the like.
Cultural beliefs and practices are the traditional acts and rituals performed by the
elders especially among the pagans or non-Christian within the society. It is understood as
the beliefs, traditions, values and practices of before and life ways still carried to the
present. These practices are used as instruments for different purposes like in agricultural
production, environmental conservation, weddings, burials and others. These cultures are
rich in indigenous knowledge but this is now being challenged by the forces of
modernization.
The introduction of modern technologies such as the internet has proven to be an
effective tool in scaling the limiting factors on information dissemination of IK. The use
of internet can diffuse information on Cordillera IK because it is easier, faster, and more
convenient, considering that internet is an open and ready source of these. People can use
these technologies as a way to conserve Cordillera IK (Gampol, 2012).
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Cordillerans today still carry out their indigenous knowledge in their daily living.
They observe traditional healing practices with rituals and indigenous herbs, traditional
farming and other livelihood practices. The different tribes in the region also perform
thanksgiving rituals like cañao and healing rituals like bunong (Bitog, 2011).
Barangay Cayapes is one of the barangays in the Municipality of Kapangan who
have existing rituals or beliefs. These rituals are being done by the manbunongs and the
elders in the said place. Some of the rituals being practiced mostly is Bogaw Di Dontog
(roughly translated as “shout of the mountain”).
Bogaw di Dontog is done when the couple is engaged in premarital sex. This ritual
is done by the elders and manbunongs to the couple the day before their wedding where in
they will butcher a piglet and they will feed it only to unmarried men. Before feeding it to
them, the manbunong will utter some prayers for the couple so that their child in the future
will give them luck. After the prayer the unmarried men can eat the meat of the piglet and
the elders can give some advice for the couple.
This ritual is known only in some brangays of Kapangan. It is encouraged by the
elders and manbunongs to every couple who are engaged in premarital sex to do this ritual
before their wedding because they believe that if they are not going to do it, their
relationship will fade. Some elders also believe that their child in the future will also engage
in premarital sex.
In Cayapes, there are many teen agers who are engaged in premarital sex but they
did not applied Bogaw di Dontog after few months they got separated.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Documenting this ritual is important for it may give insights and for them to see the
changes occurred in the practice and the reasons why it change. It may also give an idea to
the communication students on how communication is used in every aspect of culture.
This study may also give importance to the role of elders and manbunongs in the
community particularly in Bogaw di Dontog.
Statement of the Problem
The study aimed to determine Bogaw Di Dontog: an existing pre-marriage
cleansing ritual in barangay Cayapes. It was conducted to answer the following questions:
1. What is Bogaw Di Dontog and its origin?
2. What are the processes in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog?
3. What are the changes in the practice of Bogaw di Dontog?
a. Where is it done?
b. Who are the people involved?
c. What are the materials used?
d. What are the prayers in the practice?
4. What is the perceived importance of Bogaw Di Dontog?
5. What are the values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog? and,
6. What are the challenges encountered in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog?
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Objectives of the Study
Generally, the study aimed to document Bogaw Di Dontog: an existing pre-
marriage cleansing ritual in barangay Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet.
Specifically, the study aimed to:
1. describe the origin of Bogaw Di Dontog;
2. document the processes in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog;
3. determine the changes in the practice of Bogaw Di Dontog;
4. determine the importance of Bogaw Di Dontog;
5. identify the values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog; and,
6. determine the challenges being encountered in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog.
Importance of the Study
This study could be significant in a way that it will call for the preservation of the
culture amidst to modernization not only on agriculture but the community as a whole. The
study may also serve as a resource material on the study of indigenous practices or rituals.
The result of this study may be beneficial also to all the researchers or students for
it can be an additional source of information.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study was conducted in barangay Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet. The study
focused on the origin of Bogaw Di Dontog; the documentation of the processes in
practicing Bogaw Di Dontog; the changes in the practice of Bogaw di dontog; the perceived
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
importance of Bogaw Di Dontog; the values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog; and the
challenges encountered in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog.
It will not include other wedding practices.
Data gathered on December 2012 to January 2013.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Indigenous Knowledge
Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is the information base for a society, which facilities
communication and decision-making. Indigenous information systems are dynamic, and
are continually influenced by internal creativity and experimentation as well as by contact
with external systems (Flavier, et al., 1995).
According to Grenier (1998), IK refers to the unique, traditional, local knowledge
existing within and developed around the specific conditions of women and men
indigenous to a particular geographic area. The development of IK systems, covering all
aspects of life including management of the natural environment, has been a matter of
survival to the peoples who generated these systems.
Practices of Indigenous Knowledge
In the study of Camiling (2012), she presented the processes and materials prepared
for the ritual as done by the people of Nakiangan, Abatan, Buguias, Benguet during Denet.
Before the ritual, when the farmer is about to harvest his crops and expecting for a bountiful
harvest, he consults the manbunong and they will set a date for the ritual. It should be
before the harvest day. During the ritual, they will prepare the materials to be used; setting
up pudong or the tying of runo grass to signify that Denet is taking place in the area; praying
over the native chickens; butchering two native chicken; reading the chickens’ bile;
cooking of the meat; putting the chickens’ feathers around the pudong, and praying over
the cooked meat. After preparing all the materials needed, the manbunong will now
perform the ritual together with the farmer.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
According to the study of Limmong (2012), there are also rituals performed after
rituals like Ngilin where in it is the holiday of the bereaved family, time of cleaning their
house and they are not allowed to go to work or in ant feast. There is also called Lawit
where everybody will stay home the whole day and they are not allowed to go to work to
show that they mourn for the dead. After a year, a ritual is also conducted called the Binong-
ar or Binogwah. This is a bone cleansing practice where the bones of the dead are brought
out for cleaning.
The study of Basalong (2009), also presented the ritual Sangbo/Sengbo, which was
done to ask for blessings, like good fortune and good health from ‘Kabunian’ and the spirits
of the dead with the realization of any good omen seen by an individual. A good omen or
sign is interpreted by the ‘mansip-ok’. These may be seen in dreams like of one becoming
an important person and some creatures like a dog carrying a stick in its mouth. It is
believed that these omens of blessings will actually happen only with the performance of
Sangbo. In this ritual, a pig is butchered and when cooked, the meat together with rice wine
is offered to ‘Kabunian’. Prayers uttered depend on the ‘manbunog’.
Changes in the Practice of Indigenous Knowledge
According to the study of Wailan (2008), there are changes in the culture of the
Baliwon Tribe due to the influence of the modernizing world. These changes were changes
in the traditional communication practices in marriage, where parental arrangement is no
longer observed; changes in the traditional communication practices on birth wherein child
that is born today, there is no ‘songa’ performed. Other changes were changes in the
traditional communication practices in curing the sick where curing the sick today were
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
brought to the hospital; changes in the traditional communication practices on death
wherein, ‘binunga’ was no longer performed in death cases and lastly, changes in the
traditional communication practices in resolving conflicts where nowadays, resolving
conflicts are done in accordance with the laws of the government just like the papers that
serves as proof and the case was finished.
Importance of Indigenous Knowledge
In the emerging global knowledge economy a country’s ability to build and
mobilize knowledge capital, is equally essential for sustainable development as availability
of physical and financial capital. The basis component of any country’s knowledge system
is its IK. It encompasses the skills, experiences and insights of people, applied to maintain
and improve their livelihood (World Bank, 1997).
The Cordillera Administrative Region of the Philippines has a long history and rich
diversity of indigenous knowledge covering all aspects of life including community
practices, institutions, relationships and rituals. It is the basis for agriculture, food
preparation, health care, education and training, and environmental conservation.
Indigenous Knowledge should be conserve because it can be put to good use in
development practices, through its utilization of cost-effective and sustainable strategies
that may help poor people in their daily struggle for survival (Macandog, et al., 2012).
According to Castro (1995) as cited by Cawayan (2012), Indigenous Knowledge
Systems are pathways we could try in search for ways by which human beings could live
in harmony with God’s creation and not subdue or exploit nature for the sake of safe term
material growth. They may be one golden key towards our finding solutions or powerful
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
allies to minimize, retard, forestall, ward off, or even annihilate humanity’s emerging
nightmares ranging from widespread famine and starvation to loss of species and
biodiversity to destruction of the ozone layer, to acid rain.
Values in Indigenous Knowledge
In the study of Cawayan (2012), her respondent said that there are many values
reflected in the practice of Kenta in Bagnen, Bauko, Mountain Province. These values were
best realized by an individual if he or she joins in the actual performance. The values
reflected are unity, pakiksama, respect, helpfulness, responsibility, hospitality, generosity
and love of culture.
According to the study of Sagayo (2012), there are values learned in the processes
involved from Ammuyo practice of Bago Tribe in Banga, Sugpon, Ilocos Sur. Five of her
key informants and twenty respondents stated that the practice Ammuyo as a social activity
deserves to be passed and kept because it taught values. These values were cooperation,
freedom, unity, dependent, trustworthy, solidarity, responsible and peace. One of her five
respondent added faithfulness.
Challenges Encountered in Practicing IK
According to the study of Saydoven (2012), there are problems in transmitting
Indigenous Knowledge in Barangay Data of Sabangan, Mountain Province. Some of the
problems they encounter while passing the knowledge on the old days of rice production
to the younger generation are mostly connected to the following factors: attitudes of youth
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
towards these IKSP’s like the lack of interest of the younger generation to learn the rituals
and prayers; migration and the conservation of the community people in spiritual beliefs.
In the study of Palcon (2012), there were perceived challenges in the practice of
Mangmang. These were differences in spiritual beliefs where some no longer believe in
anitos; declining number of elders where it lessen the opportunity for them to pass the
rituals; inter-marriage where it influence and cause change to the person from their own
tribe; migration wherein the change in the type of the animal to be butcher is caused by
migration; emergence of technologies where these gadgets could be used conveniently by
the messenger when calling for participants; education wherein some educated leave their
own culture like their past.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of the Study
The study was conducted in Barangay Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet. This barangay
is one of the 15 barangays in the municipality of Kapangan (Figure 1) and one of the
smallest barangay which consist of 3 sitios namely Cayapes Proper, Lucot and Dagao. As
of 2010, Barangay Cayapes has 844 populations.
Barangay Cayapes can be reached by jeepneys, buses or private cars from Baguio
City for 2-3 hours. Farming is the main source of livelihood of the people in Cayapes with
rice and cucumber as their main crops.
This barangay was chosen because most of the manbunongs and elders who usually
perform Bogaw Di Dontog, reside in this barangay.
Respondents of the Study
The information needed in this study was gathered from the remaining three
manbunongs, five elders who are knowledgeable about the ritual, four couples who
experienced and three unmarried men who experienced attending the ritual in the locale of
the study. They have been identified as holders of specialized knowledge by the residents
in the barangay.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Data Collection
Data was collected through the key informant interviews using guide questions. It
was translated into Kankana-ey for easier understanding between the researcher and the
key informants.
Data Gathered
The data gathered were the origin of Bogaw Di Dontog; processes in practicing
Bogaw Di Dontog; the changes in the practice of Bogaw Di Dontog; perceived importance
of Bogaw Di Dontog; the values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog and the challenges being
encountered in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog.
Data Analysis
The data was consolidated and presented in a descriptive and narrative form.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Figure 1. Map of Kapangan showing the locale of the study
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Origin of Bogaw Di Dontog
Bogaw Di Dontog was said to have come from a folk story. According to the story
of Apisa Atting, one of the manbunongs, Bogaw Di Dontog was started with the story of
Lumawig and Bangan. Lumawig was an immortal man, son of Kabunyan, who was send
down to the earth to teach the people how to live on earth. While staying on earth, Lumawig
met Bangan, a mortal woman from earth. They fell inlove with each other. They engaged
in premarital sex and lived in the mountain. One day, while they were walking, they
accidentally stepped on the rock in their way and it fell down from the mountain which
destroyed the house of the anitos. That made the anitos angry and cursed them. The anitos
cursed that every couple who are engaged in premarital sex will be given a child who will
give them bad luck in the future or their child will be abnormal or masidingan.
As time went by, when the elders heard about this, they thought of the best way to
cure the curse and that is where Bogaw Di Dontog was started.
Bogaw di Dontog is done when the couple engaged in premarital sex. This ritual is
done by the elders and manbunongs to the couple the day before the couple’s wedding.
They will butcher a piglet and they will feed it only to unmarried men who attended the
ritual.
The key informant also said that Bogaw Di Dontog should be done the day before
their wedding so that they will be cleaned first before they take vow for their marriage.
To every couple who engaged in pre-marital sex and planning for wedding, before
their wedding, the couples who believe in the ritual will be the one to approach the
manbunong to do the ritual for them. Some couples also send their parents to tell to the
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
manbunong for them. Couples who do not believe in the ritual were not forced to do it.
Lubid said, “Maka uway da adi nu ga an da. Basta et adin masidingan anak da”. (It is up
to them if they do not want to do the ritual. Hopefully their future child will not become
abnormal).
According to Eslao, key informant, couples are afraid not to tell them the truth
because the manbunongs will soon find out and it is shameful for them.
Processes of Bogaw Di Dontog
There were four procedures in doing Bogaw Di Dontog. First is preparing the
materials to be used like piglet and tapuey (rice wine), second is praying the bunong, third
is singeing of the piglet in the fire and butchering it, and lastly is praying another bunong
for the liver of the piglet and feed the meat to the people after they cook.
Preparation of the materials to be used. Figure 2 shows the materials used by the
manbunong during the ritual. The manbunong will first find a good place for the ritual. It
should not be in a place where people are passing by. Liwangan Lubid, explained that it
should not be in a place where people are passing by because the curse might transfer to
them. Also they should find a place that was hidden and not too far from the house of the
couple. Tapuey and the piglet were the mostly needed in this ritual. Tapuey was needed
for the cleansing of the couple. It was for the cursed to be washed away and for the bad
luck not come back. The piglet to be used should be the native one. As stated by Gaynap
Eslao, one of the manbunong, “Adin mabalin ay mausar din busaang ay nagal-galitan uno
din mankilat tan ewed ah, adin mayat tumurungan din bunong. Adin man epekto”
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
(A piglet that is dotted with white or pure white colored piglet should not be used because
the bunong will be rejected or will not be effective).
Lubid said that it should only be a piglet not the big one because it is just for the
ritual and for the couple not to spend much. He also added, “Dapat ida et baken en
kumkumpormi ay animal di mausal kaman din manok uno aso. Tan din manok et
sumaysayag da sa sunga isayag da din bunong et ewed di ganas na metlang. Pati metlang
nu aso et lawa tan pumadpadtok da, ipadtok da abe din bunong sunga lawa. Isunga di
talaga ay dapat mausar et din busaang tan say mantete-e anggoy sin daga ta say baken en
makaan din swerte”(Not any animals should be used in this ritual like the chicken or dog.
It is because the chicken flies so the luck of the bunong might fly away. Same with the dog
because they jump so this might cause the luck jump to be lost that makes the ritual
ineffective. So, we really should use the pig because they behave or just stay in land
resulting to an effective bunong).
In doing the ritual, the piglet and tapuey should stay together with the manbunong.
The couples should not be in the ritual during the praying and butchering the piglet. They
just stay in their house because the curse might come back according to Eslao.
The manbunong and some helpers will be the one only in the said place. They
should be unmarried men or the ones who also experienced the ritual. According to the key
informants, unmarried men should be the one attending the ritual because they did not
engaged in pre-marital sex and they did not married yet. Lubid added that anybody may
also attend as long as they were not afraid of the consequence of it that their future child
also can be masidingan or it can also give them bad luck.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
The attendees will be the ones to help the elders in preparing the materials for the
ritual like the piglet, chairs for the people and other materials. They are the ones also to
help the manbunong by holding the piglet on the ground. Attendees will also be the ones
to singe, butcher, and cook the meat for the people.
Once the materials were ready settled down, the manbunong started praying the
bunong with the tapuey and piglet.
Figure 2. The piglet and tapuey were prepared in the ritual
Praying the bunong. In praying the bunong, the manbunong will drip some of the
tapuey in the ground using a leaf of a coconut tree beside the piglet while uttering the
bunong, presented in Figure 3. The bunong goes this way, “ Si Bangan en Lumawig ay nan
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
asawa da. Nan as-aspo da ay ewed katulagana. Nan aspo da sin danan ta nu waday nagat-
gatinan das bato sin dontog et adin maisiding en daida. Si (Name of the Couple) ay nan
asawa da. Nan as-aspo da ay ewed katulagana. Nan aspo da sin danan ta nu waday nagat-
gatinan das bato sin dontog et adin maisiding en daida. Si (Name of the Couple) ay nan
asawa da. Nan as-aspo da ay ewed katulagana. Nan aspo da sin danan ta nu waday nagat-
gatinan das bato sin dontog et adin maisiding en daida” (Bangan and Lumawig were
married. They met without any conditions. They met in their way and if they stepped on a
stone from their way that fell in the mountain, it will not affect them. (Name of the Couple)
were married. They met without any conditions. They met in their way and if they stepped
on a stone from their way that fell in the mountain, it will not affect them. (Name of the
Couple) were married. They met without any conditions. They met in their way and if they
stepped on a stone from their way that fell in the mountain, it will not affect them).
After the bunong, the manbunong says, “May sige eweken yo ta idawis yo nan
busaang ta ilan tako din atey na nu siya metlang ay mayat” (You can now “ewek” and
singe the piglet so that we are going to check if the liver is good).
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Figure 3. The manbunong dripping out some of the tapuey while praying
Singeing and butchering the piglet. Figure 4-6 shows how they “ewek”, singe the
piglet and butcher it. After singeing, they are going to butcher the piglet and get the liver
and give it to the manbunong. The manbunong will check the liver if it is good or healthy.
If the liver is good, the manbunong will continue the ritual. If otherwise, they should
butcher another piglet. According to Lubid, they need to check if the liver is healthy so that
the ritual will be effective. After checking the liver, the manbunong will utter again a
bunong for the liver.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Figure 4. They are starting to ewek the piglet
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Figure 5. They are singeing the piglet after they ewek
Figure 6. The men butcher the piglet they singe
Praying bunong for the liver. Figure 7 shows how they remove the liver. Before
the prayer, the manbunong will check if the liver is good and if it is not, they should look
for another piglet with healthy liver for the luck to come. As stated by Eslao, one of the
key informants, “ No binmubul-ay din podis na sin atey, mayat ngem nu naetatabon sin
atey na, masapol ay masukatan din busaang ay maparti” (If the bile was outside the liver,
it is good but if the bile was hidden in the liver, they need to change the piglet).
After checking, the manbunong will utter a bunong for the liver. The bunong goes
this way, “Ah, siya ay mayat metlang nan atey na et nan duwa ay man asawa ay
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
mabogawan et adi dan masidingan. Ta nu waday nagatinan da et adin mantauli en daida”
(Ah, the liver is healthy so the couple who are doing this ritual will not face the
consequence. So, the thing that they stepped on will not go back to them).
After the prayer, the meat is cooked and distributed to the people who attended the
ritual.
Figure 7. One of the unmarried men removing the liver (encircled)
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
After the process of Bogaw Di Dontog, the couples are going to wait if the practice
is effective if their future child is healthy and if they did not experienced too much bad luck
in their life.
According to Divina and Joaquin Pilo, the couple in the practice, “Dakami pay adi
et mamati kami ay wada iman di mangyari ay mayat tan say enyat met iman dadin
kakasing-sing kod idi yan doy nan epekto met iman isunga sigurista kami ay wada ay wada
imam di mangyari abe en dakami” (We believe that there will be good things to happen for
us because my cousin also did the ritual before and it was effective for them, that is why
we are sure that there is also luck for us).
These processes was somewhat related with the study of Camiling (2012), wherein
she presented the processes and materials prepared for the ritual as done by the people of
Nakiangan, Abatan, Buguias, Benguet during Denet. During the ritual, they will prepare
the materials to be used; setting up pudong or the tying of runo grass to signify that Denet
is taking place in the area; praying over the native chickens; butchering two native chicken;
reading the chickens’ bile; cooking of the meat; putting the chickens’ feathers around the
pudong, and praying over the cooked meat.
Changes in the Practice of Bogaw Di Dontog
All the respondents stated that there were many changes occurred in the practice of
Bogaw Di Dontog. These changes were shown in Table 1.
According to the manbunongs, there were changes in the place where they are
conducting the ritual. Instead of doing it in the mountain, they are now doing it beside the
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
house of the couple or in some part of their backyard as long as there are no people passing
by in that area. According to Gaynap Eslao, one of the manbunongs, this is because
mountains today were already built with houses and some mountains were far. They also
added that in doing the ritual in the mountain, the anitos that live in the mountain will
surely listen to the bunong.
Furthermore, at present, the people who can attend and eat the meat in the ritual
were not only those unmarried men but those couples who have experienced doing Bogaw
Di Dontog. As stated by Liwangan Lubid, poverty is one of the reasons why these people
attend the ritual. “Piyan da ay emey ya makipangan side ah tan wada di karne ay isida da
ay baken kaman ed be-ey da,” he added. (They want to go and eat there because there is
meat for their viand not unlike in their houses). This is supported by Mingo Liso, one of
the unmarried men who attended the ritual, he said, “Emey kami adi makiwatwat ta waday
sida anggan owat mokang.” (We came because there is viand even if it is a piglet only).
Table 1. Changes in the Practice of Bogaw Di Dontog
OLD PRACTICE
PRESENT PRACTICE
Bogaw Di Dontog is usually done in the Bogaw Di Dontog is done beside the house
mountain because they believe that the of the couple or in some part of their
anitos in the mountain will listen to the backyard where nobody is passing by.
bunong.
The people who can attend and eat the meat People who can attend and eat the meat of
of the piglet in the ritual are only those the piglet in the ritual are not only those
unmarried men.
unmarried men but it can be also to married
men and to those people who experienced
doing the ritual.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
In addition, they also used tapuey (rice wine) as their tool while praying the bunong.
Lubid said that tapuey is appropriate to use because that is what they used since then that
is why they need to follow until now. They also used native pure black piglet until now
because it is the proper animal to use according to the key informants.
Perceived Importance of Bogaw Di Dontog
According to the respondents, Bogaw Di Dontog is very important especially when
couples had pre-marital sex. Atting said while laughing, “Nu piyan da ay manswerte da ya
baken masidingan anak dan to nu dumteng di agew, man bogaw da ngem nu siga-an da ay
manbogaw adi et maka-amo da.” (If they want luck and normal child in the future, they
should perform Bogaw Di Dontog but if they do not like, it is their choice). Eslao also
added that, this ritual is a form of cleansing and a form of asking forgiveness to Kabunyan
for what they did (pre-marital sex).
This was supported by Mr. Peter and Mrs. Andring Aniban, one of the couples who
experienced performimg the ritual, they said, “ Mayat met iman sin nanbogaw kami. Doy
iman ay mayat di torong di biyag ya laton met ay adin kami nanrigat si perme.” (We had
good life when we did the ritual and we did not face too much problems).
In other case, Mr. Fiber and Mrs. Melba Coilan, another couple, said that there were
no changes before and after they performed the ritual but they had healthy kids. According
to Eslao, it is up to the people if they believe or not but for them, if you believe in the ritual,
surely, this will be effective for you. Lubid also added, “Nu adin man epekto en sik a,
baken paran sik a san swerte ya siguro baken dan ipipatnek din bogaw sunga kamanadi.
Dapat gamin et ipapati da ay man iamag sin Bogaw di Dontog ta mayat tumurongana” (If
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
it is not effective to you, the luck is not for you and maybe the ritual is not in their hearts.
They should be really willing to do it so that it will really effect to them).
There was also a case of another respondent, Melisa Danun, wherein they did not
apply Bogaw Di Dontog before their wedding because according to them, they do not have
money for it. After three years, they had two kids but their first child was abnormal or
became special child.
The key informants also added that they are not insisting the couples to do the ritual
because some do not believe in it and it depends to their belief. But, to those who believe,
they should to the ritual because it is for them.
Moreover, the key informants stated that Bogaw Di Dontog should be preserved
because it was the tradition of the elders before and we should treasure it. They also added
we should not let culture vanish because it is a unique gift that nobody could steal it from
us.
Perceived Values Reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog
All of the key informants and ten respondents stated that the practice of Bogaw Di
Dontog as a social activity deserves to be passed and kept because it taught many values.
These values were respect for the elders, unity, cooperation, resourcefulness, friendship,
responsibility, generosity and peacefulness. There are also values that were observed by
the researcher these are honesty, care for the child, care for their family and respect for
virginity.
Respect for elders. This was defined as an act of giving particular attention or
consideration. This was observed during Bogaw Di Dontog because the people showed that
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
they are respecting the elders by helping them when they have heavy loads such as chairs,
fire woods and other things needed for the ritual. The youth also used uncle, aunt “anti”,
lola and lolo.
All the key informants confirmed that this attitude was also observed.
Unity. This was defined as the state of being in agreement and working together.
This attitude was also observed during Bogaw Di Dontog. According to Lubid, they helped
each other in preparing the materials used in the ritual. All of them worked to finish their
work at the same time. No one worked alone but they worked together to finish what they
are doing.
All the key informants and the twelve respondents said that they learned and
observed these values in the practice of Bogaw Di Dontog.
Cooperation. It was defined as the association of persons for common benefit.
Bogaw Di Dontog is where they observed this principle because when they perform this,
the residents or elders cooperate and join. They also voluntarily go and whole-heartedly
help in the preparation.
The key informants and respondents believed that they learned this values in the
practice of Bogaw Di Dontog.
Resourcefulness. It was defined as capable of devising ways and means. In Bogaw
Di Dontog, the elders and the residents find ways in exchange of the things they need to
use. An example of a situation which showed the presence of resourcefulness was when
the residents made plates out of the banana trunk whenever there is no plate.
All the key informants and respondents confirmed that this ethic was observed and
learned.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Friendship. It was defined as the quality or state of being friendly. All of the elders
and the residents are neighbors and friends. Telling stories and sharing ideas while waiting
for the food built friendship among the elders and the residents. In this way, some of the
youths who attended Bogaw Di Dontog gained stories or riddles of the elders about the
past.
All the key informants and the respondents believed that this value was observed
during Bogaw Di Dontog.
Responsibility. It was defined as involving personal ability to act without superior
authority. Both elders and residents had their own responsibilities during the practice of
Bogaw Di Dontog. The residents or the attendees have to prepare the food while the elders
are tasked to help in the preparation of the things needed in the ritual.
The key informants and twelve respondents stated that this value was observed and
learned during Bogaw Di Dontog.
Generosity. It was defined as the act of sharing or being generous. There were ten
respondents who stated that sharing was taught and observed in the ritual. They share
foods, ideas or knowledge to each other during Bogaw Di Dontog.
The key informants confirmed that this value was observed in the practice.
Peacefulness. It was defined as the state of living in a silent place without arguing.
The elders and the attendees usually helped each other in their work without arguing during
Bogaw Di Dontog. There was peace and unity in them.
Both key informants and the respondents believed that this value was learned from
the ritual.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Honesty. It was defined as truthful or the quality of being honest. I also observed
that honesty was learned in the ritual because Bogaw Di Dontog will not be done if the
couples did not tell to the elders that they had pre-marital sex. Telling the truth was in them.
The key informants confirmed that this ethics was observed and learned from the
ritual.
Care for the child. It was defined as the quality of concerning one’s child. In Bogaw
Di Dontog, caring for the future child was learned and observed by the researcher. The
couples thought to do this ritual because they are concerned to what may happen for their
child in the future.
Care for family. This was defined as the quality of concerning one’s family or love
for family. I also observed that care for family was observed and learned in the ritual
because without the care of doing Bogaw Di Dontog, couples also do not care about what
might happen to their family in the future.
Respect for virginity. It was defined as quality of valuing purity. I observed that
respect for virginity was the most important value to learn in Bogaw Di Dontog. This ritual
should be the reason of the youth today not to have pre-marital sex before the wedding.
Youth today should afraid of pre-marital sex because of this ritual.
These values were slightly same with the study of Cawayan (2012), that her
respondents also enumerated values reflected in the practice of Kenta in Bagnen, Bauko,
Mountain Province. These values were unity, pakikisama, respect, helpfulness,
responsibility, hospitality, generosity and love of culture.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Challenges Encountered in Practicing Bogaw Di Dontog
Every key informants stated different challenges they encountered but they also
stated ways on how they sustain these challenges.
Vina Tada, one of the respondents, stated that they sustain Bogaw Di Dontog by
sharing and informing to the youth the importance of Bogaw Di Dontog since the
generation today really needs this ritual.
Differences in spiritual beliefs. Liwangan Lubid, one of the key informants, stated
that because of beliefs, Bogaw Di Dontog is fading and only few believe in this ritual.
He also added, “Ed niman ay Kristyano da kanu et adi da en mamati tan eyat dan
aramid kanu di demonyo nan am-amagen mi ngem say intudo da garud ed bayag idi dapat
et amagen taku abe baken din dinimonyoan” (People today were Christians and they are
no longer believed in this ritual because according to them, it is demons work but no
because this ritual was taught by the elders before not demons work).
Differences in beliefs. Gaynap Eslao, one of the key informants, said that
generations today have different beliefs that are opposite to theirs that is why they really
need to teach or tell to the youth that Bogaw Di Dontog should be maintained because it
was already started since then.
She also added that whatever happens, this ritual should be maintained and be
transferred to every generation.
Economic reasons. There were five respondents who stated that preference of the
people not to do the ritual was a challenge in the practice. There were people in the
barangay who preferred not to do it because according to them, it is an added expense and
they do not have money.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
This was supported by Lagnay Leganio, one of the respondents, she said,“ Edniman
iman et adi da en amagen ah tan manparti da paylang iman si busaang yan isu py ay
gastos.” (Some are not doing this ritual today because they are going to butcher again
another piglet which will mean more expenses).
Death of manbunongs. Two respondents stated that the lost of manbunongs was
also a challenge in the ritual. Manbunongs are the leaders in Bogaw Di dontog. They were
the ones who have authority in doing the ritual. They were also the one who can teach and
share the process to the young. In addition, these were respected by the youth that is why
they followed and listened to their advices. According to the key informants, before they
die they should teach it first to the youths for them to learn how to do it in the next
generation.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
Generally, the study was conducted to document Bogaw Di Dontog: an existing
pre-marriage ritual in barangay Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet. Specifically, it aimed to
describe the origin of Bogaw Di Dontog, document the processes in practicing Bogaw Di
Dontog, determine the changes in the practice of Bogaw di Dontog, determine the
importance of Bogaw Di Dontog, identify the values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog, and
determine the challenges being encountered in practicing Bogaw Di Dontog.
There were three manbunongs as the key informants, five elders who are
knowledgeable about t the ritual, four couples who experienced doing the ritual and three
unmarried men who experienced attending the ritual.
They were interviewed personally by the researcher through guide questions which
was conducted from December 2012 to January 2013.
Barangay Cayapes is one of the barangays in the Municipality of Kapangan which
have existing rituals or beliefs. These rituals are being done by the manbunongs and the
elders in the said place. Some of the rituals being practiced mostly is Bogaw Di Dontog
(roughly translated as “shout of the mountain”).
Bogaw Di Dontog was started when Lumawig and Bangan engaged in premarital
sex and lives in the mountain. They accidentally stepped on a rock which made the anitos
cursed them and all the couples who will engage in premarital sex. After years, the elders
started to think for the solution where Bogaw Di Dontog started.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Bogaw Di Dontog has five procedures. First is preparing the materials to be used
like piglet and tapuey. After that, the manbunong will find a good place for the ritual. It
should not be in a place where people are passing by because if otherwise, they believe that
the ritual will not be effective. Second is praying the bunong where in the manbunong will
tip out some of the tapuey in the ground beside the piglet while uttering the bunong. Third
is singeing of the piglet and butchering it. After singeing, they are going to butcher the
piglet and get the liver and give it to the manbunong. The manbunong will check the liver
if it is good or healthy. If the liver is good, the manbunong will continue the ritual.
Otherwise, they should butcher another piglet. And lastly is praying another bunong for
the liver of the piglet and feed the meat to the people after they cook.
Just like other cultures, Bogaw Di Dontog has also changes like changes in the place
they are doing the ritual. Instead of doing it in the mountain, they are now doing it beside
the house of the couple or in some part of their backyard as long as there are no people
passing by in that area. Another change is that, the people who can attend and eat the piglet
in the ritual are not only those unmarried men but those couples who have experienced
doing Bogaw Di Dontog. It can be attended by anybody as long as they are not afraid of
the consequence of it that their child also can be masidingan or it can also give them bad
luck.
Bogaw Di Dontog has also importance. According to the respondents, Bogaw Di
Dontog is very important because it cleansed the couples before their marriage. This will
prevent bad luck and will not result to abnormal children.
Moreover, the key informants stated that Bogaw Di Dontog should be preserved
because it was the tradition of the elders before and we should treasure it. They also added
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
we should not let culture vanish because it is a unique gift that nobody could steal it from
us.
The values learned from the ritual were: respect for the elders, unity, cooperation,
resourcefulness, friendship, responsible, generosity, peacefulness, honesty, care for the
child, care for the family and respect for virginity. These values were observed and learned
by the key informants, respondents and the researcher.
Challenges in the ritual were also enumerated by the key informants and
respondents. These challenges were spiritual beliefs where in because of this, others do not
believe in the ritual because for them, it is a demons work. Another challenge is the
differences in beliefs where in, one of the key informants said that generations today have
different beliefs that are opposite to theirs that is why they really need to teach or tell to the
youth that Bogaw Di Dontog should be maintained because it was already started since
then. An economic reason is another challenge because according to them, they do not have
money to buy a piglet so, it is better not to do it. And, another challenge is that, two of the
respondents stated the death of manbunongs wherein without them, the ritual is fading also
because they are the one who have the authority to do it. These manbunongs also are
respected by the youth that is why they followed and listened to their advices. That is why
they need to teach and share this to the youngs for them to know the process of it.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
Conclusions
The following conclusions were based on the findings of the study:
1. Bogaw Di Dontog is a cleansing ritual with the purpose of sanctifying the
relationship before marriage.
2. The practice of Bogaw Di Dontog is attended by anyone in the community.
3. Practicing Bogaw Di Dontog follows procedures that needs to be observed
properly.
4. Bogaw Di Dontog is practiced because it serves very important purposes.
5. There are still values reflected in Bogaw Di Dontog.
6. Bogaw Di Dontog is faced with several challenges that may
lead to the extinction of the practice.
Recommendations
1. Bogaw Di Dontog may be maintained to sustain the sanctify of marriage
among the people of Kapangan.
2. The attendees in the ritual should observe and learn the process of the
ritual for them to get information about it and share to the next generation.
4. Values in the practice of Bogaw Di Dontog should be learned.
5. More studies on cultural practices of Kapangan is recommended.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
LITERATURE CITED
BASALONG, G. M. 2009. Indigenous Ways of Knowing Manbunong Practices Among
the Kankana-Ey and Ibaloi in Kapangan, Benguet. BS Thesis. Benguet State
University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 18.
BITOG, R. B. 2011. Survey of Feature Articles on Cordillera Indigenous Knowledge in
Campus Publications of Metro-Baguio. BS Thesis. Benguet State University, La
Trinidad Benguet. P. 1.
CAMILING, G. D. 2012. Namuna Ay Apit: A Documentation of Denet and Its
Communicated Values Among the Farmers of Nakiangan, Abatan, Buguias,
Benguet. BS Thesis. Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. Pp. 16, 19.
CAWAYAN, S. B. 2012. Continuing the Life of Kenta: A Documentation of a
Traditional Practice of Bagnen, Bauko, Mountain Province. BS Thesis. Benguet
State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 7.
FLAVIER, J. M, D. M. WARREN, L. J. SLIKKERVEER and D. BROKENSHA. 1995.
The Regional Program for the Promotion of Indigenous Knowldege in Asia.
http://www.worldbank.org/afr/ik/basic.htm.
GAMPOL, J. G. 2012. Philippine Websites as Medium For Disseminating Cordillera
Indigenous Knowledge. BS Thesis. Benguet State University, La Trinidad
Benguet. P. 2.
GRENIER, L. 1998. Working with Indigenous Knowledge: A Guide for Researchers.
IDRC, Ottawa. P. 1.
LIMMONG, E. B. 2012. Documentation of Rituals of the Gohang People in Banaue
Ifugao during Burials. BS Thesis. Benguet State University, La Trinidad,
Benguet. Pp. 21, 26.
MACANDOG, D. B, E. R. ABUCAY, L. G. LIRIO, L. O. AYYOKAD, J. N. PAING,
J. E. SAGUIBO, E. T. MIGUEL and M. T. TOMBALI. 2012. Understanding and
Conserving
Indigenous Knowledge on Sustainable Natural Resource
Management in the Cordillera Admnistrative Region of the Philipppines. P. 3.
PALCON, E. E. 2012. The Power of Ritual: Capturing the Communication Processes in
the Practice of Mangmang for Community Development by the Bontoc Tribe in
Sitio Bayabas, Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet. BS Thesis. Benguet State University,
La Trinidad, Benguet. Pp. 43-47
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013
SAGAYO, N. C. 2012. Processes Involved and Values Leearned from Ammuyo Practice
of Bago Tribe in Banga, Sugpon, Ilocos Sur. BS
Thesis.
Benguet
State
University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 38
SAYDOVEN, S. C. 2012. Existing Indigenous Knowledge, Systems and Practices on rice
Production in Barangay Data, Sabangan, Sabangan, Mountain Province. BS
Thesis. Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. Pp. 23-28.
WAILAN, A. T. 2008. Documentation of the Traditional Communication Practices of the
Baliwon Tribe in Barangay Bantay, Paracelis, Mountain Province. BS Thesis.
Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. Pp. 33-35.
WORLD BANK 1997. Knowledge and Skills for the Information Age, the First Meeting
of
the
Mediterranean
Development
Forum.
http://www.worldbank.org/afr/ik/basic.htm.
Bogaw Di Dontog: An Existing Pre-marriage Cleansing Ritual in Barangay Cayapes,
Kapangan, Benguet | BOADO, REYZALYN T. APRIL 2013