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Every Good Friday of Holy Week in the Philippino town of Infanta in Quezon, self flagellants roam the streets as a form of sacrifice for a sick family or relative, or to ask for blessings and protection from harm. The ritual is unique because of the elaborate costume that these men don. In the 1950s, as many as 300 men perfomed this ritual. This number has now dwindled to just 30. Quezon, Philippines. 09/04/2009 Self flagellation as an act of mortification has its origins in the 11th century in Italy and later spread to the rest of Europe including Spain. The practice was introduced to the Philippines by Spanish missionaries in the late 16th century. Over the past 400 years, it has been adapted to become an indigenous ritual. Today, it is performed mainly in Central Luzon, Metro Manila and some provinces in Southern Tagalog. The climax of these rituals is Good Friday of Holy Week. Practitioners, perform the ritual as a petition or supplication in the form of a “panata” or vow, which they swear to honour for a fixed number of years. It is made in the hope of healing a sick relative or, in many instances, as a spiritual investment in the hope that God will bestow grace or blessings on the family in question and protect them from harm and misfortune. Flagellants are Roman Catholics. For them, this is the most important and solemn of days: their self-mortification becomes the ultimate expression of sacrifice as a means of sharing the passion and suffering of Christ. In the town of Infanta, Quezon, around 5 hours drive east of Manila, the self-flagellation practice is unique because of the elaborate costume that these men don. The outfit consists of a skirt, called a “saya” made from dried banana leaves, a flog called the “panyabat”, tipped with wooden pegs and a floral headdress called the “tukarol.” According to studies, parts of the costume used to be buried in fields after the ritual as offerings for abundant harvests, but this tradition is no longer observed. In the 1950s, as many as 300 men perfomed the ritual. Nowadays, this number has dwindled to just 30.

Society

A Ritual of Faith

Every Good Friday of Holy Week in the Philippino town of Infanta in Quezon, self flagellants roam the streets as a form of sacrifice for a sick...

by Estan Cabigas in Philippines on 09/04/2009

BREAKING NEWS

09/04/2009 - A Ritual of Faith - Philippines - Every Good Friday of Holy Week in the...

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A Ritual of Faith

Society

A Ritual of Faith

Every Good Friday of Holy Week in the Philippino town of Infanta in Quezon, self flagellants roam the streets as a form of sacrifice for a sick family or relative, or to ask for blessin...
by Estan Cabigas, on 9th of April 2009
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