The First Ever Traditional B'laan Wedding Ritual I Witnessed

It was a beautiful Saturday morning when we visited Kinilis, in Polomolok. I was with Nanards and two visiting friends from Davao City, Emi, and her American husband, Joshua. They wanted to go see the kafe balos because it has been very famous now, and they wanted to invest into the business.

Sir Fred mentioned there was a tribal wedding that very day so it was a fortunate day for us to witness something different, a customary tribal wedding rite.

We went inside the house for they explained to us that the traditional B'laan wedding is being held inside the house of the bride where the couple has to sit on a mat and surrounded by relatives and witnesses.

The bride was very beautiful that day, she was adorned with T'nalak inspired accessories, and her hair was placed with a beautiful headdress made of brass. Her hips was surrounded by a brass belt where hundreds of small bells were making noise each time she moves. And she was fully clothed in a colorful B'laan attire, and some shawl to depict marriage in transition that time. The groom was also wearing a B'laan hat and wore white with a little T'nalak inspired accessories as well.

The ritual already started when we arrived, and it was the concluding part that we witnessed, the chieftain asked the parents on what advice they will give the new couple, and the representative from the local civil registry was there to document the wedding in the book of registry he was holding formalized by the signing of the marriage contract.

It was my 4th visit to the place and I was surprised when they called on me to sign on the papers to witness the wedding of the couple. I guess it was because they already knew me that well. So I happily obliged, and was made instant ninang (godmother) to the new B'laan couple.

Signing my name on the marriage contract

Prayers were given by the two pastors right after the ceremony. The B'laan ritual was done before we arrived and the concluding prayers were given by Pastor Fred and the officiating minister (if you call it that).

After the wedding, there was jubilation outside where this old lady danced the B'laan traditional dance. She was very graceful to the tempo of the paglong, an instrument they played while the wedding was going on.

Congratulations to Weng and Cristy! May your tribe increase.


Customs and tradition, one thing we are very rich with as a country. I am proud that least, in my lifetime, I am able to witness such wedding, and I hope and pray that the people will continue preserving the culture and the heritage that is truly Filipino, despite the modernization that's slowly eating our patronage, and even our passion for what is anciently good.