Binukot

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

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The Practice

The Binukot is a pre-Hispanic practice in the Philippine archipelago that exists up to this day. The tribe or the community chooses the most beautiful girl or boy to be secluded, for the protection and for prestige of the highborn. He or she will be secluded, well-kept, pampered, 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 lore 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 would dare to look at a Binukot as there is a threat of punishment by death to anyone who violates her by looking.^[2]

A Binukot is not allowed to do heavy work but may weave in her room. She is provided female servants to do other 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 and livestock. 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 fingernail. 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 e.g. 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 describe in epics and tales using metaphors such as, visage of the sun, appeared like the sun, shone like a star, pale as the moon, and incomparably beautiful, which suggests that the Binukot is a standard of aesthetic beauty.

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

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

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

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 2008 – December 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 

References