It didn't take long for the linguist/anthropologist in me to start asking language and culture related questions and start annoying people. Tagalog is the main language spoken in the Philippines, but in Mindanao, the most widely spoken language is Visaya, otherwise known as Cebuano. Here is some of what I have uncovered so far from basic observations and patient answers from locals:
Balun - Cebuano. A well or other man-made source of water. It is a public space used to collect water for consumption, irrigation and bathing. They are commonly found along national roads.
Bolo - Cebuano. Like a machete, but slightly thinner with a curved tip. Excellent for cutting coconuts.
Brigada - English origin. Originates from word, brigade. It refers to a community driven group of people who come together to perform community service activities such as building, cleaning and painting public schools and buildings.
Cemeterio - Spanish origin. Public cemeteries are a remnant of the Spanish conquest. Previously, Cebuanos would hang their dead from trees, declaring the area sacred and impassable for a year. Other burial practices include hollowing out the trunk of a tree and using this as a casket to bury the dead underground. Traditionally, all burial grounds were considered sacred, but since Spanish rule, the concept of public cemeteries has become widely accepted. As a result, public cemeteries, cement blocks shaded by rattan structures, can be found dotted along national roads and highways.
Inahan - Cebuano. Mother.
Purok - Cebuano. A covered wooden structure with built in seating which serves as a community meeting point. It is a public space for members of the same community to meet and chat, particularly after lunch or late afternoon. You'll find these dotted along the national highway, and are very common. These wooden structures can provide an insight into the community's organisational structure and social relations. A well constructed and designed purok indicates the presence of a strong and unified community. Additional decorations such as tribal markings, gardens, or accompanying sources of water, may also be indicative of this.
Rattan - Cebuano. Thin vines from the forest used to make furniture, baskets, and traditional housing. Some also use the rattan vines as calendars. Rattan furniture is exported all over the world, but is becoming an increasingly scarce commodity for local indigenous tribes as preference is given by the government to logging companies and traders.
That is all for now. More to come!
Balun - Cebuano. A well or other man-made source of water. It is a public space used to collect water for consumption, irrigation and bathing. They are commonly found along national roads.
Bolo - Cebuano. Like a machete, but slightly thinner with a curved tip. Excellent for cutting coconuts.
Brigada - English origin. Originates from word, brigade. It refers to a community driven group of people who come together to perform community service activities such as building, cleaning and painting public schools and buildings.
Cemeterio - Spanish origin. Public cemeteries are a remnant of the Spanish conquest. Previously, Cebuanos would hang their dead from trees, declaring the area sacred and impassable for a year. Other burial practices include hollowing out the trunk of a tree and using this as a casket to bury the dead underground. Traditionally, all burial grounds were considered sacred, but since Spanish rule, the concept of public cemeteries has become widely accepted. As a result, public cemeteries, cement blocks shaded by rattan structures, can be found dotted along national roads and highways.
Inahan - Cebuano. Mother.
Purok - Cebuano. A covered wooden structure with built in seating which serves as a community meeting point. It is a public space for members of the same community to meet and chat, particularly after lunch or late afternoon. You'll find these dotted along the national highway, and are very common. These wooden structures can provide an insight into the community's organisational structure and social relations. A well constructed and designed purok indicates the presence of a strong and unified community. Additional decorations such as tribal markings, gardens, or accompanying sources of water, may also be indicative of this.
Rattan - Cebuano. Thin vines from the forest used to make furniture, baskets, and traditional housing. Some also use the rattan vines as calendars. Rattan furniture is exported all over the world, but is becoming an increasingly scarce commodity for local indigenous tribes as preference is given by the government to logging companies and traders.
That is all for now. More to come!
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