Since the start of the New Year, there has been considerable talk – both on-line and off-line – about traditions and superstitions of Philippine origin. Now, I’m as gullible as the next guy and I can believe or disbelieve any of the superstitions. Tradition, on the other hand, is something that requires a little respect from an “outsider.”
I’ve done a little research – both at home and on the Internet – to come up with some of these things called superstition or tradition. Sometimes, there is a very fine line that separates the two. Superstition can turn into a tradition if practiced and believed in long enough.
Here are some superstitions / traditions that I’ve come across in my searching:
As I reported in my last article, there is a need at the New Year to have 12 round fruits in your house to bring good luck throughout the year. Now, in off-line discussions, I find that the number required varies from household to household, with the number being larger among the more affluent. By the way, they’re are not for eating along the way to the New Year. You can eat them during the New Year but not before. Another fruit-related issue is that of hanging grapes or other small, round fruits above doorways and windows. Just why? I haven’t a clue, yet. I’m still researching that one.
RICE AND SALT
A few readers reminded me of the need for taking rice and salt (and in some instances water) to a new residence upon moving. It’s also been known to be required at the New Year – another move, but from one year to another. Symbols of wealth and good fortune, uncooked rice and salt brought with you into your new environment will help continue your good luck streak. I find that this “suggestion” is prevalent in a number of Asian countries. Some of these countries have different uses for the rice and salt, too. For an example, placing small piles of salt (preferably rock salt so that it lasts longer) outside the front door of your residence keeps evil away. This is another one begging for an additional search.
“TUTONG” – HARDENED RICE
Speaking of rice, did you know that you are not supposed to eat the hardened, scorched rice at the bottom of the pot? Known as “tutong,” this hardened, scorched rice, if eaten, will cause you to be last in everything: last in school, last in your career; you name it – you’re last. Just why this is, I don’t know. But putting a little common sense and knowledge of mankind’s likes and dislikes together, it sounds like the perfect excuse that justifies not eating that “yucky” rice at the bottom of the pot.
WET HAIR → BLINDNESS
Personal grooming – and hair in particular – is not exempt from certain beliefs. The belief I speak of is that of wet hair, and goes something like, “If you go to sleep with wet hair, you’ll awaken blind.” How that works out, I am uncertain. Perhaps it’s a throwback to some time when disease might have had its hand deeper into peoples’ lives. I sometimes use this jokingly with Baket ko (Asawa ko) [my Wife] after washing my hair. I pretend to nod off to sleep, then awaken five or ten minutes later claiming loss of sight. I’ve been warned, “That’s NOT funny!”
CUTTING BABY’S HAIR
Age does not matter when talking about the effects of superstition / tradition. Take a baby, for an example. Cutting the baby’s hair prior to the child’s first birthday is extremely unlucky. If you cut a baby’s hair before his/her first birthday, you are condemning him/her to a short life. Now, of course, it would take years of research into this “phenomenon” of shortened lifespan caused by shortened hair. But who’s to argue or tempt fate?
TURNING YOUR PLATE
Having a tendency to leave the dinner table early and not partake in the after-meal chit-chat that routinely occurs, I have to admit that I’m the cause of many a turned plate! You see, when a person gets up and leaves the dinner table, those remaining must turn their plates so that the person who left the table makes it to his/her destination safely. Not turning your plate could cause catastrophe or demise to beset the person who left. Again, who’s to argue?
NIGHT TIME SWEEPING
I’ve been caught with this one, and have since vowed never to help clean the house, ever again! So far, I haven’t been asked to or required to participate – just vacate wherever cleaning is going on. It seems that one should never sweep the floor at night time. The result of doing so is said to be worms and insects falling from the ceiling throughout the night onto the freshly swept floor. Far be it from me to want to start an infestation of any sort.
When you buy new clothing, there are always tags and things than need to be removed. Also, after having worn articles of clothing for a while, a loose thread or piece of string of some sort might come out of its hiding place for all to see, and would need removal as well. There’s a “law” about this, too: never cut a loose thread or string from your clothing while you are still wearing it. Take the item off before you remove the offending string. To fail to do so could result in your increased chance of undergoing surgery. Well, from a distance I can see where one’s clothes could represent one’s skin and taking a knife to one is tantamount to taking it to the other. Why press one’s luck?
There are many, many more little tidbits of keeping healthy, wealthy and wise via your day-to-day actions. These were just some of them. Perhaps another article later on in the New Year could uncover some more.
How about you? Do you have any little traditions or superstitions that you follow or know of?