#kapampanganpractices

The following are some of the practices of the Kapampangan people:

Birth Practices.  In one of the barrios of Guagua, Pampanga, close relatives of a woman who is about to deliver a child, together with their neighbor, make noise like shouting, beating tin cans and exploding firecrackers in order to help expel the fetus faster.

Baptismal Rites Practices.  In many Kapampangan houses, the baby’s baptismal dress serves as a souvenir and decoration for the sala (room).  It is put on a frame and hung in the sala like a picture.

Courtship and Marriage.  The only prevalent form of courtship now is the pamanhikan, where the male, with the permission of the parents, is to visit the girl in the latter’s house.  When the agreement is reached between the boy and the girl, the marriage ceremony is arranged.  At present,  pamanhikan  is being practiced when the parents of the boy confer with their balae  (parent of the bride-to-be) regarding marriage plans of the children.

Death and Burial.  The wake (makipaglame) lasts for at least three days and two nights after which everybody participates in the libing (interment). As part of the ritual, vigil is observed till the ninth day after the death of the deceased known as pasiyam(day).

On the first death anniversary, lukas paldas (literally the removing of the dress for mourning) is practiced with a grandiose meal.  The pangadi (prayer observance) is an important part of the ritual.

The Kapampangans have rich customs and traditions. Most of their practices are based on their beliefs due to the fact that they are faithful about their religion. Some of these are about giving birth, wedding, courtship and even death.