MUNICIPALITY OF SOLANA (CAGAYAN), History and Cultural Life of Part IV

windows.

2. Palm leaves which were blessed on Palm Sunday are hung on windows and doors.

3. One is prohibited to wear a red dress because it is believed that this color attracts lightning.

4. Mirrors or any reflecting objects are covered.

5. Vinegar is sprinkled all over the house and on foreheads.

6. Children shout at the top of their voices to drive away the supposed horses and they open their mouths so as to minimize the shock caused by the thunder.

7. We should avoid staying under big trees or near animals with horns because they are easy conductors of electricity.

Clouds are supposed to be the white sheep of God pasturing in heaven.

It is believed that if the clouds appear like the scales of fishes, it is a good day for fishing.

When clouds run very fast southward, a storm is approaching.

Very red clouds, "lasac," early in the morning in the east are a sign that it will rain during the day.

Rain is supposed to be the water from the sea or ocean which is carried by the wind. The shower after the appearance of a rainbow is supposed to be the urine of the rainbow.

People can predict the coming of rain by any of the following signs:

It is believed that if you bathe your cat, it will surely rain.

People believe that the patron saint of wind and storm is St. Lorenzo. To minimize the effects of a storm, one should pray to the saint.

People can predict the coming of a storm. Some of the ways are given below:

People believe that the rainbow is a reflection of the different colors of precious stones found at the foot of the rainbow.

Many superstitions are connected with the rainbow. If one points at the rainbow with the forefinger, the forefinger will become shorter or crooked.

A rainbow around the moon or the sun is a sign that a prominent person will soon die.

The appearance of a coment is a very, very bad omen. It means famine, war, or pestilence.

The first persons on earth were Adam and Eve. Adam was molded out of clay. When God saw that Adam was not happy because he was alone, He created Eve. When Adam slept, God took out a pair of his ribs, molded it with clay, breathed life into it and it became the first woman. They were, then, our first parents.

A parent who bears twins will surely have some of his offspring bear twins, too.

If either of a couple has a twin cowlick on either thumb, they will always have twins.

When one eats twin fruits, she will someday bear twins.

Twins should always be given the same things, clothes, food, etc. so that they will not get sick.

When a sow has thirteen udders, it is a good breeder.

An animal, especially a pig, that gives birth to all females is not good. It will mean bad luck to the owner. To avert this, the litter should be sold or given away.

The location of the cowlick on the animal is very meaningful. A cowlick on the forehead means that the animal is easily struck by lightning. If the cowlick is found between the front limb on the chest, the owner will soon die. When the cowlick is on the hoof, the animal is strong and can be used as a work animal.

A dog whose nipples cannot be easily recognized will make a good hunter.

When one intends to tame an animal, one must not eat or turn his face to the house where the animal is taken, so that the animal will not go back and it will become fat. As soon as you arrive, eat a mouthful of rice so that the animal will have a good appetite. Bury the

Meeting a monkey or a lizard on the way when going to a cockpit or a gambling house will bring men bad luck. A snake means good luck.

The crowing of a hen at midnight may mean fire or that an unmarried woman is pregnant.

Monkeys are believed to be children who were bad and disobedient. As punishment, God gave them tails and made them look ugly.

Sickness may be caused by infuriating the spirits of those who are gone and other beings like dwarves, ghosts, giants, and the like. If they are appeased and given what they like, they will make the person well. Some ways of pacifying them are by cooking some delicacies and offering these to them; offering prayers and the so-called "Anito." These unseen beings are believed to live in deserted homes, big trees, forests, rivers, etc.

Some people are believed to possess some power to make other people sick or sometimes die. They have in their possession "something" which is believed to be a piece of a root soaked in oil. A witch acts on her victim according to her dream.

In order to be free from a witch, one has to hold the tail of a certain fish called "pahi," a piece of coral, or the leaf of an atis or lemon fruit.

One you are a victim of a witch, you can be cured by rubbing oil called "poli" all over your body. This is coconut oil with some roots soaked in it. The oil removes the sand, feathers, hair, or other particles which may be causing the disease.

When the witch dies, she must hand this "thing" to someone who, in turn, inherits the power.

Dwarves are believed to possess power. They can take you to different places without your noticing and you lose your way. You may be able to find your way if you urinate and sprinkle urine all around you. Holding a piece of garlic or ginger will prevent a dwarf from fooling you. Dwarves are capable of stealing your things with your noticing. The good dwarves, when they become your friends, bring home many things for you. If you can get the magic pot of the dwarves, you will have something or anything you like to eat by just commanding the pot.

Magic or supernatural power may be acquired through dreams. The talisman or magic stone may be acquired by following the direction given in your dreams. Some persons acquire the power of guessing the thieves, knowing the cause and cures of sicknesses.

This game is common among girls.

Any number of players may play the game. Each player has a set of five small balls. If this is not possible, one set may be used alternately by all the players.

The first player holds all the five balls in one hand. She tosses one ball and, at the same time, puts down the other four balls on the ground. The ball should be tossed high enough to enable the player to catch it after putting down the other four. She tosses again the ball, picks up one of the balls on the ground, puts it in one hand, and catches the ball. If she drops the ball or fails to pick up one of the balls on the ground, she is out and the next player takes over.

There are several parts of the game. They can be shown by various positions of the hand in the process of taking up the four balls dropped down at every start of each part. One example: cup one hand upward against the breast. As in part one, toss one ball and put down the other four balls, catching the tossed ball afterwards. Toss again the ball, meanwhile picking up a ball from the ground, and placing it in the cupped hand against the breast, doing it fast enough to be able to catch the ball coming down from the air. Repeat the same procedure until all the balls are in the cupped hand.

The other positions of the hand are: forming an arch with the thumb and middle finger pointed down on the ground, under which the balls are rolled; forming a funnel with the fingers; and others. The player who can perform many positions without error throughout each position is the winner.

Two or more players may play this game. They should be provided with small stones or pebbles. Each player contributes the number of stones agreed upon by them. The stones are piled together in front of the players. The players then decided who of them starts the game.

The first player takes all the stones in the pile with both hands. She tosses them not very high and, with the back of one hand, catches what she can of the falling stones. She tosses again the stones that land on the back of her hand and catches them with the other hand. If she succeeds in catching all the stones tossed from the back of the hand, she continues with the next part of the game. If not, the next player takes over. For the next part of the game, the player picks up each remaining stone, tosses it a little way, and catches it with the other hand cupped upside down. Each player gets as her own the stones she was able to catch. Repeat parts one and two alternately until there are no more stones to be played with. Then, they contribute any number of stones agreed upon again to start the game anew.

This game is played by any number of players. A hole is dug away from a certain line agreed upon by the players. Standing on the line facing the hole, each of the players try to throw their hats nearest the hole or goal. The one who throws the bat right in the hole or goal or nearest the hole begins the game. The turns of the others depend upon their nearness to the goal.

Then each one takes a round pebble or stone or anything that can be rolled and lines them up on the line where they stood when they decided who would begin. From there, each player takes his turn sending his rounded stone or pebble to the goal with the aid of the bats held and pushed by the hand. The players alternate in doing this. The one who drives his stone first to the goal finishes the game. If someone touches your stone on the way to the goal, you are punished by going back to the demarcation line and you begin the game all over again. The one who has not reached the goal is called servant and is punished by those who have reached the goal. They stand at the demarcation line and touch their pebble or stone with their bato as many times as they can, and the servant gives back the bato. When all the winners have had their chance to give the punishment to the servant, the game begins all over again.

The game is played by any number of players. It is usually played by fuel gatherers. A circle is drawn on the ground where a pile of fuel contributed by the players is being enclosed. The players get short, straight fuel as their "bato." From the pile of fuel, the players stand and try to throw their bato away. The one who throws his bato farthest begins the game. From the point where the bato is, the players try to strike or touch the pile of fuel. If the pile is touched, all of the fuel in the circle goes to the player. Then, the game begins all over again as long as the other players like.

Tupada is illegal cockfighting among grown up men. It is played on any day of the week except Sundays.

Cock owners match their birds and bet on them. The cocks are provided with sharp and slightly hooked knives tied on their left ankles. The cocks fight until one of them is killed or runs away. The owner of the cock that wins collects the bet.

Ping-Ping is an indoor game for children. A number of children, not less than two, squat on the floor in a circle. They all extend one of their feet to the center.

The leader recites, "Ping-ping, sa-ra-ping, cu-chi-llo ni San Martin. A-a Co-ro-na, Co-ro-na ni San Martin."

While singing or reciting the piece above, the leader touches one foot of the players on every syllable the leader pronounces. Any foot touched on the last syllable "ta" is eliminated and withdrawn. The leader repeats the piece until only a foot is left. The owner of the foot that is left becomes the catcher. The children whose feet were eliminated hide. The catcher hunts for them. The first child caught becomes the next catcher. This goes on until they become tired.

IBANANG

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

1. Egga y libro ni David ay ariam mu mabibbig. Cad-do 2. Maguran ta pallebu na ay ari maguran tap pat-tangan na. Agguilinga nga batu 3. Egga y payung ni Santa Maria nga ari mabasa-basa. Don na atang 4. Anni nga igung y auan na ta sifung? Igung na Arigui 5.Anni nga talinga y ari macaguinna? Talinga na caban 6. Nu umulug, ume macaturug, nu umuno, ume mac-caue-c. Caralang 7. Ari tolay, ari ayam, nazzila. Sapatu 8. Ari tolay, ari ayam, ngam nabbarbas Mangui 9. Anni y mapaddo nga y mamadday arian na usan; nga ip-passirvian na urian na ammu ip-pagunsan na. Lungun 10. Gapa-gappatta-c cu ya cuan na umappiddu. Canal 11. Agga cattu na, agga carga-ca. Sapatu 12. Nu que-raddama-c cu; aria-c macala-c. Ngem nu cat-tamma-c cu, maqus-raga-c ta. Paguip-pi 13. Egga y babui tam Manila, maquinna tao y agguni na. Arugug 14. Maporay y ana-c; masipot y ina. Mimi 15. Manta amarillo, color de castillo, ariam mu malabbulabbun tappitu ragum. Bullungan 16. Egga y appa nga mauauagui, addo gari ta adde sangao, ari ira pagga nagga-arrani. Siguiran, Zitu, Zigattu, Taggappan

1. There is a book of David that can never be read. Grass 2. It rains around but not at the middle. Stone grinder 3. There is an umbrella of St. Mary that can never be wet. Gabi leaves 4. What nose does not have mucus? Nose of the post 5. What ears are those that cannot hear? Iron handles of a box 6. When it goes down, it goes to bed; when it goes up, it goes to stool. Earthworm 7. It is neither a person nor an animal but it has a tongue. Shoes 8. It is not a person or an animal but it has a beard. Corn ear 9. What is it that is made by one who does not use it; but is used for one who does not know it? Coffin 10. The more I cut it, the longer it grows. Ditch 11. He carries me; I carry him. Shoes 12. When I remember, I cannot get; when I forget, I take. Amorseco 13. I have a pig in Manila. I can hear his noise here. Thunder 14. The child is cruel; the mother is humble. Cogon 15. A yellow piece of cloth, the emblem of Castilla; you can never guess it in seven years. Rainbow 16. There have lived four brothers, from time immemorial up to now, they have never come near each other. The Four Directions

17. Tal-la nu aggao; planada nu gami Dappan 18. Masqui asitao y angayan na agga carga na y bale na. Dagga 19. Egga tac, egga tu-ri. Paddac 20. Danum tam Malimmun ariam mu matal-lutal-lung. Danum ta Mali-borac; arian mu matara-tarac. Niyog

17. Tube at daytime; plain at night. Mat 18. Wherever he goes, he carries his house. Turtle 19. It is here, it is there. Wind 20. Water in Malimmun, you cannot enter it, water in Maliborac, you cannot fetch it. Coconut

21. Ippuppuppuc ka ngem into nacua, macar-rwar ka latta. Buteg 22. Adda maysa a princesa, sarming ti aramatan na, nu pallaluam ti agayat baguim ti agrigat. Arac 23. Nagmula-ac ti cawayan, diay igid ti carayan; ni cawayan, nagbunga't sagut ni sagut nagbunga't landoc ni landoc nagbunga't lamlamut. Baniit 24. Ummuna pay a lunisom sacan tu canen. Saba 25. Nagmagaa ni inam cancantaam. Burias 26. Tu-duquec ti digu agtaray ti tinunu. Barangay 27. Igganac ti siket mu, lagtu ca la lagtu. Al-u 28. Dua dapan na, uppat ti saka na. Ulnas 29. Agsangit awan mata na, magna awan saka na. Pluma ken Tinta 30. Sakayam yadyadam, ramanam nananam. Iggad ken niyog 31. Agcagat ti anac na, ngem saan nga agcagat ti ina. Gabut 32. Adda maysa nga pugut natured ti pudut. Banga

21. I have always imprisoned you but you always manage to escape. Mucus 22. There is a beautiful princess who wears crystalline dresses, if you dearly love her, your body will suffer. Wine 23. I planted a bamboo tree, near the bank of the river; the bamboo bore fruits of thread, the threads bore fruits of iron, the iron bore fruits of eats. Hook 24. You first lift up the dress before you eat it. Banana 25. While your mother is walking, you are singing. Litters 26. I pierce the soup, the roasted meat runs. Boat 27. I hold your waist and you jump and jump. Pestle 28. It has two soles but it has four feet. Sled 29. It cries without eyes, it walks without feet. Pen and ink 30. Your ride, you shake, you taste, it is delicious. Grater and Coconut 31. The daughter bites but the mother does not. Cogon 32. There is a Negrito who dares fire. Pot

33. Cassiitan ti rabaw na, cabatuan ti uneg na. Nangka 34. Ania ti adda kenca nga saan mu mausar canayan? Nagan 35. Adda tallu nga pugut, natured da ti pudut. Dalican 36. Ania ti pinarsua ni Apo Dios nga tulang ti bibig na? Manok ken billit 37. Narasi nu cabaru na, maladda nu cadaan na. Tacqui ti nuang 38. Bulung ti cappa-cappa, nagtalicud nagpada. Lapayag 39. Ania ti pinarsua ni Apo Dios nga maymaysa ti saka na? Uung 40. Asin, asino ngata iti namalbaliw nga daga? Asin 41. Bulong la nga bulong, sanga la nga sanga. Kawayan 42. Ania iti pinarsua iti tao nga maymaysa iti lapayag na? Baina 43. Takki ni Inga, nagidda. Tambak 44. Takki ti pugot nagbibi-natog. Darikdek 45. Adda maysa nga lacay, agguy-guyod iti uway. Bao 46. Ukis nan, baga nan, lasana ibagam. Lasuna 47. Adda dua nga agcabsat, maiganan ida ngem saan mo makita. Lapayag 48. Nu umuli golpe, nu umulug agar-arudok. Buteg 49. Ti macabiroc, agmismisuot, iti macapukaw, agcat-catawa. Uttot 50. Ania iti pinarsua ni Apo Dios nga nagkurona di met ari; nagcapa di met padi; nagsaka't sinan ragadi. Lukton

33. The outside is full of thorns, the inside is full of stones. Jackfruit 34. What is that, that you own but which you do not wear often? Name 35. There are three Negritoes that can endure the heat. Stove 36. What are those that were created by God whose lips are made of bones? Chickens and birds 37. Not durable when new, but durable when old. Manure of the carabao 38. Leaves of the "cappa-cappa" were made the same way but stay back-to-back. Ears 39. What did God create that has only one foot? Mushroom 40. Where, where is that which is a changed earth? Salt 41. Leaf after leaf, branch after branch, but it bears no fruit. Bamboo 42. What do people make which has only one ear? Bolo sheath 43. Inga's manure lies down. Dike 44. Manure of a Negrito, all in a row. Stakes 45. There is an old man always pulling a piece of rattan. Mouse 46. Its skin is its flesh, "onion" you say. Onion 47. There are two brothers, you can touch them but you cannot see them. Ears 48. When it goes up, it is fast; when it goes down, it is slow. Mucus 49. The finder frowns, while the loser laughs. Bad odor 50. What creature is that which has a crown but is not a king; it has a robe but is not a priest; it has feet like that of a saw? Grasshopper

IBANAG

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

1. Mana-guiba ca ta gayang, Manuttu' ta matam. 2. Y map-pa-ladiu, med-duffu. 3. Ang-nguam, cacuam. 4. Mataqui' tab bag-gui; Mataqui' ta icat-tolay. 5. Ari ca mamap-palla-c Bagu ca la nap-paya-c Bulawan paga y cucum Ammu y guina-fu-gafum. 6. Y malap-po-c ay masappo; Y mata-lacac ay macap-pac. 7. Gami' paga y piña Addiac galat ta rueda. 8. Y maca-turug mapierdi; Y mattura-tura' maca-tawa. 9. Masqui nu anni y cuam mu Nu ariat aca gustu; Arriam ma gamma mala-c Nu binababang nga aya-c. 10. Asi-diana y caguim gari, Mammi paga nguam issi; Nangi-logotam mu lan-nio Nga bale na pacal-lal-lo-c. 11. Masqui anni y pia na cayu Nu aray-yu; Mabi galat masservi y Bubug nga arrani. 12. Y map-paciencia, Dacal y convinencia. 13. Ari ca maniguru Ta sinaddag na cayu Manoli paga y paddac Y naguing-utun, maguing Gucac 14. Auan nicao tu messim mu Nu guin-nam my y tabarang cu. 15. Ari liua-c na lalung, Mga umay mangafu-afun; Y diyan na liua-c Y upa nga manga-ca-ca'

1. You rear a crow That will pick your eyes. 2. Haste makes waste. 3. As you unto to others do, So others do unto you. 4. What is painful to me, Painful to others may be. 5. Pretentious, don't ever be, Your wings have grown recently, Golden your nails may be, I know your family tree. 6. Those who are active live contentedly, Those who are lazy live miserably. 7. Ragged, piña cloth may be Presentable it can still be. 8. He who sleeps loses, He who's active, marries. 9. No matter what you do, I still cannot love you, Win me — you can never do With love that is untrue. 10. Where are those things you told me Which seemed to be sweeter than honey? You only wanted to deceive me — Who is the abode of misery. 11. Good, a piece of wood may be, But it is far, far from me; What really serves quickly, Is soft wood that is near me. 12. Those who are patient, Are greatly rewarded. 13. Do not rely very much, On the way a tree stands; When again, wind will blow To the bottom, the top will go. 14. Nothing will every happen to you, If you heed the advice I give you. 15. The rooster that courts, Has got no real fault. It is the hen that cackles, Where the fault really lies.

16. Af-futan na devocion Y tantacion. 17. Languit maranu in-nan; Maribbo nu mac-cunam; Cunne gapa ta tolay, Nu lab-betan na maracay. 18. Ariam mu y pip-pitta, Y aya ta gafu na; Cuam mu ta zina-gudagun, Tapanu manayun. 19. Anni servi na pira-c Nu auan na tu ana-c; Ariac-cu away-ya doban Y pira-c napap-panan ta caban. 20. Mad-dian ca la tian co ricu Be pandam zi mafunu, Be pandam zi mofut, Ta sin-gut ca la sin-gut. 21. Ari mab-bunga y sili Ta barangengas. 22. Mapia la y ari map-pica, Ta tiempo la y map-palappa; In-nag-gan ta ma-bin-nay, Al-lo-c nad Dios tat-tolay. 23. Mad-danurug ngamin pallebu Sicao laman y furifug. 24. Pas-sid-dangan, panol-lian 25. Qui-tu ari map-pica', Maca caga-c. 26. Mapia ca labbi sangac, Ta queg-ga ni dagua nicao; Noca nu manao y dagua, Manoli ca ta ziga 27. Sinni pano-c y mapia, Y dalaya-c onu manga, Mapia gabba la ya dalaya Ta maguinteru ta lima. 28. Ya nacuan manguli, Y sinnun nga masservi, Manguli paga y pang-ngu-pang- ngua nga auat tu quanin-nitan na. 29. Y dasum masqui malpo-c Maca-cari ta inango-c. 30. Y abbing nga minalad-dulad-dug Ari mabbayag ay magga-duncug

16. Devotion defeats temptation 17. The sky is pleasant to see, But dark when cloudy; Like a person that frowns, When misfortune he has found. 18. At the start, don't be giving, Your love so lavishly; Love little, love slowly, Your love will be enduring. 19. My money is useless If I am childless; The money I kept in the trunk I cannot send for an errand. 20. Watch out, Mr. Rich Man Wealth will reach its end Money keeps going away You are spending everyday. 21. Surely, the pepper plants, Never do bear eggplants. 22. It's better to wait silently Time will only tell; Just wait patiently, For the grace of God to men. 23. Everywhere, there is commotion, From you alone, there is no action. 24. You have cast it away; Only to get it back some day. 25. A dog that seldom barks, bites. 26. You are living a pleasant life, How that wealth with you abides; Soon, wealth will leave your side And you will go back to hard, hard life. 27. Which is better, I ask you, "A lemon or a mango?" A lemon is better, I presume. For in my hand, I hold it whole. 28. What should rather change, Is a piece of cloth used daily; Character also changes, Though not used physically. 29. Water is soft, but it kills. 30. A child who tells lies will soon be crooked.

31. Nu natured ka, asidog ti patay kenca; Nu natarkok ka, ni Apo Dios ti agalwad kenca. 32. Nu munagdandanag ka, Nagkuttong ka. 33. Maymaysa nga dutdut, Siempre isuda't agcuycuyog. 34. Sadino ti naddianam, Baro ka la nga innac ma-matangan, Limnec diay initan, Pagparang mo pay laeng. 35. Iti nasalucag isu ti agbiag. 36. iti adda nga sida, Pagraramanan ti karuba.

31. If you are brave, death is near you; But if you are a coward, God takes care of you. 32. If you keep on worrying You will surely get thin. 33. Birds of the same feather Always flock together. 34. Where have you been, pray tell me— It's only now you I see, The sun has set already, It's only now you appear before me. 35. He who is active' Will happily live. 36. Share viands with your neighbors.

Transcribed from:

History and Cultural Life of Solana, Cagayan, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.