Sugbuanong Huo-Tuo: Superstitious Beliefs Among Cebuanos

Sugbuanong Tuo-Tuo – Superstitious Beliefs among Cebuanos

Filipinos are quiet superstitious and religious, more so the Cebuanos. Cebuanos believe in a lot of things and observe a lot of traditional practices, even if there is no logical reason behind it. If the practice is rather odd or ridiculous, we Cebuanos would reason “walay mawala nato kung motu-o kita” or we lose nothing if we believe. So yes, even in modern times, we can still find people doing one or more of these Sugbuanong tuo-tuo. Perhaps you do, too.

Palina When Giving Birth

Palina or incense smoking is the act of burning leaves and roots of various plants to drive away evil spirits and to help the mother and child during the labor process. The incense may also help the mother
When the child has had his or her hair cut, the hair is wrapped in a cloth and then buried next to a banana tree. Because the banana trunk is watery and cold, the child will grow up cool headed and not easily angered.

Sweeping the Floor at Night

It is discouraged to sweep floors at night. But when sweeping is necessary, all the dirt must not be swept out of the house, but kept inside by a corner or a bin. This is to prevent blessings and good fortune from getting out.

Planting during Full Moon

Local farmers usually start a crop, particularly tubers like camote, during a full moon. They say that planting according to the phases of the moon ensures a bountiful harvest. However, this may have scientific truths because it has been found that the moon affects the water content in the soil.

Not Visiting Farms during Menstruation

Ladies are prohibited from visiting farms and gardens during their period because doing so will destroy the crop. This must be a regional thing because in other parts of Southeast Asia, ladies are also banned from visiting temples during their period because at this time, they are thought to be impure.

Itchy Hands Means
The rice must face the same direction as it did when it was still inside the pot. It is also bad luck if one fails to scatter or spread the rice. It must not retain its scooped form.

First Flow of Menstruation

Ladies having their first flow must follow several steps to ensure smooth-sailing puberty. No matter how gross it sounds, elder women say rinsing or wiping one’s face with bloodied underwear during the first flow helps keep pimples away. In addition, ladies must jump three flights of stairs at the first flow to limit their period for three days only. If this were true, then would jumping only one flight make the period last for just a day?

Restrictions on Taking a Bath

It is okay to take a bath every day, except Friday and on days when the ladies have their period. Taking a bath on a Friday may diminish one’s ability to fight evil spirits or bad fortune. Meanwhile, ladies having their period are better off not taking a bath as the act may cause or worsen dysmenorrhea and may cause hair loss. Guess this is applicable in the olden days when people don’t have enclosed bathrooms, but rather go to rivers or springs to wash clothes, fetch water and take a bath. It is awful to take a bath with cold water while having menstrual cramps, not to mention the wind chill.