Hallo, Community! 

Not sure if someone opened a discussion about this already but I've always been interested in local folklore, superstitions, etc. which I believe tells more about the cultural background of a country as well as understand the socio-economic aspects of the community. 

Do you have any superstitions from where you're from?

I remember my late grandmother reminding me to say "tabi tabi po" (translated as "excuse me" or roughly translated as "step aside, please") when stepping on ground which have dwelling engkanto or enchanted spirits (and that's everywhere if you are in the province). Saying this phrase announces your presence to the spirits and that you are offering your respects while walking their land. Not taking precautions by saying this phrase would incur the anger of the spirits and they may curse you through unknown body pains like swollen feet, rashes, etc.

In our provincial hometown where I spent most of my summers as a child, our backyard has a large termite mound, and my uncles told me there's a duwende (dwarf) living under that mound. It was both an exciting and fearsome thing to know as a child. I used to dread experiencing the curse, so I'd say it as frequently when I go to the backyard, even while picking flowers or in between playing.

There was one incident that stuck with me where my young brother and a cousin went to play in the backyard and started patting and kicking the mound. I saw them and called out fearing that they have ultimately disrespected the duwende. I remember crying during the long ride back to Manila and asking about my young brother; checking if he had a fever or swollen legs. None of my fears happened and I fell asleep after all the shed tears.

These days I do still say "tabi tabi po" as respect to our culture that still acknowledges the not-like-ours who live among us. 

And to this day, that termite mound is still there at our provincial house and maybe there really is magic at work because our backyard is thick with vegetation, anything planted there by my uncles and aunts always grow well. 

#CoffeeTalk
#General

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Marie Antonette Bungato
Training and Enablement Specialist
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