Binukot

Binukot (Hiligaynon: confined, secluded or restricted) is a cultural practice in Philippines that dates back to Pre-hispanic times that continuous to present times. most popular among the people of Central Panay or the Panay Bukidnon to keep women from public eye from early childhood.^[1]

Etymology

Binukot is indicated as an adjective that means confined, secluded, restricted. Its root, bukot, is denoted as “be blanketing, be swaddling oneself” while bukotán is a verb that means “to blanket, swathe, swaddle” much like an infant or a sick person.^[2]

The Practice

The Binukot or Binukotan is a pre-hispanic practice in the Philippine archipelago that exist up to this day; the tribe or the community chooses the most beautiful girl or boy to be secluded; this seclusion is for the protection and for prestige of the highborns. He or she will be secluded and be well-kept and pampered and treasured, and to some point revered.

The female Binukot is isolated by her parents from the rest of the household at 3 or 4 years old. She is not exposed to the sun, not allowed to work, and is even accompanied by her parents when she takes a bath. This results in a fair, frail, fine-complexioned and long-haired woman. As she stays at home most of the time, her parents and grandparents entertain her with various oral lores and traditional dances. This makes the Binukot excellent epic chanters and repositories of their history.

Tradition persists that the binukot must not be seen by any man from childhood until puberty. Only the family members and the female servants called apid may come face to face with her. In order to keep her away from men’s eyes, as well as shield her from the sun, she bathes in the river in the evening. A makeshift enclosure may also be made for her in the river for this purpose. No man actually would dare to look at a binukot as there was a threat of punishment by death to anyone who would violate her by looking.^[2]

A Binukot is also not allowed to do heavy work but may weave in her room. She had to be provided female servants to do the work for her.^[2]

When a binukot is ready for marriage at 13 or 14, or even younger, her parents ask for a high pangayu (Hiligaynon: bride price or dowry) from the family of the suitor. Jealously and zealously guarded, the maiden, with her beauty and high pangayu, brings prestige to the family. Even when the suitor visits her, the parents do the entertaining and she is kept inside her room—but she can show the tip of a finger. However, though very occasionally she is bought by her parents to big gatherings such as weddings where young men could appreciate her beauty and she could perform a ritual dance.^[1]

The male Binukot also called Pangantohan is chosen for his comeliness and will be revered for his beauty. the purpose of his seclusion is to prepare him to be a "trophy" husband or tribute to the kinalakihan (Amazons-like) Anakbanwa (nobles) of Pangasinan eg. Urduja. Like the female binukot he will be well-kept and provided for; he will not be allowed to hold weapons,do any hard labor or work in the fields. His hair will be allowed to grow long and he will be provided hand-maidens and servants. To enhance his fair skin and lovely features, he will not be exposed to the sun, his servants will apply Pearl powder all over his face and body. He will also be fed pearl powder to have fair and luminous skin.

Image of a Binukot

Binukotan (plural for binukot) are descried in epics and tales using metaphors eg. visage same as the sun,appeared like the sun,shone like a star, pale as the moon, incomparably beautiful which suggest that the binukot is a standard of aesthetic beauty.

Binukot is said to be the most beautiful maiden in her community. She is a fair to white complexion and is dressed ankle length skirt and long-sleeved blouse appear to be richly embroidered (Panubok) at the collar, cuffs, and hem.

The Binukot of Panay-Bukidnon weasr a jewelry made from Spanish coins strung together called biningkit, a waistband of coins called a wakus, and a headdress of coins known as a pundong.

Pangantohan is the fairest boy in the community and in the tribe. Fair skin with clothes similar to a datu but is often white, he wears his long dark hair loose.

Known Binukot

• Hugan-an - Discovered by F. Landa Jocano, she retold and recorded the 30-hour-long Hinilawod epic.
• Anggoran (Christian name: Preciosa “Susa” Caballero) - Discovered by Alicia P. Magos and allowed her to record 2 epics.
• Elena Gardoce ^[3]
• Conchita Gilbaliga ^[4]

Further reading

Abrera, María Bernadette L. (January–December 2008-2009), "Seclusion and Veiling of Women: A Historical and Cultural Approach", Philippine Social Sciences Review, 1-2 (Quezon City, Philippines: College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines Diliman), 60-61: 34–56, ISSN 0031-7802, OCLC 5657379, archived from the original on 21 August 2010  Check date values in: |date= (help)

References