Scrapbook: traditions the day after burial

February 12, 2006
Tagudin, Ilocos Sur

It is a tradition after a burial in our family to take a bath in the river. When my grandfather and aunt died, we used the ash of burnt coconut husk or gugo as shampoo. A distant relative stood like a priest giving communion while we lined up for the shampooing or panaggugulgol. We then hurriedly took our bath and raced one another going home. It was said that the last relative to leave the river and the last to get home would be the next candidate for burial :) That was then, in 1997.

This time, we took our time. We went to the river trekking the same paths to the river as we did then. It was a very long walk that crossed several barangays, small bridge, paddies, steep roads, and the very long, rocky river. There were some changes, of course.

Where there were dirt roads before are now concrete roads to the barrios or barangays.

But like before, we couldn't talk to anyone but close relatives along the way while going to the river or back to San Miguel. We couldn't take anything from our walk like stones or any find. And we shouldn't look back.

Instead of burning coconut husk, we brought shampoo along with us.

Where we had sort of a priestess before, it was to each his own now :)

And if we hurried taking our bath in 1997, we just took our time now.

From the river, we took tricycles going back to San Miguel instead of walking again.

Everyone who came from the river then massaged oil on one’s hair, forehead, neck, and back and wished oneself good riddance to all types of sickness :)

And the last tradition we did was partake of the sweet rice cake or sinuman we cooked ourselves. My older sister Josephine and cousin Jonie did (the cooking), anyway, while we slept. And how afraid my sister was then that she would see a ghost! :)

sayong

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