. The Philippine Islands . ongprocession of relatives. After mass has been said, the bride and groom stand beforethe priest, who places over their shoulders a thick mantle, whichis to typify the bodily union. He then recites his formula andasks the usual questions. To these both respond in the samelow voice characteristic of such replies tlie world over. As thewedded pair are leaving the church, a bowl of coin is passed tothem. The new husband stops, takes a handful and gives itto his wife, who receives it and returns it to the is a token that he gives to her his worldly goods. Allth
. The Philippine Islands . ongprocession of relatives. After mass has been said, the bride and groom stand beforethe priest, who places over their shoulders a thick mantle, whichis to typify the bodily union. He then recites his formula andasks the usual questions. To these both respond in the samelow voice characteristic of such replies tlie world over. As thewedded pair are leaving the church, a bowl of coin is passed tothem. The new husband stops, takes a handful and gives itto his wife, who receives it and returns it to the is a token that he gives to her his worldly goods. Allthen solemnly return to the paternal residence, where, mean-while, a banquet has been prepared. This feast is called Catapusan wliich means a gathering offriends. All the notables of the village, as well as all the rela-tives on both sides, are invited to it. The table is loaded withthe good things of the season. Light liquors, chocolate, andsweetmeats are then offered to the guests, with betel-nuts andcigars and 90 The Philippine Ishmds. The dancing now begins. A youth and a maiden standfacing each other, both singing a sentimental song. Then fol-lows a musical dialogue, while both dance round each other,keeping step to the music furnished by the native )oung woman then steps into the middle of the floor,— her long hair flowingdown her back, hereyes sparkling. Themusic begins in a lowplaintive key, thatgraduall\- becomesmore and more forlorn,while her languidmovements expressvarious degrees of sor-row. Gradualh thestrain Hows into alivelier measure, andshe becomes more andmore animated, untilat last she sinks downin a whirl of deliriouspassion. Then, again,a girl dances with aglass of water on herhead; or some otherform of entertainmentIS given. After the dancing,the men and womenretire to their respec-tive marriage is always arranged by the parents of the two Noungpersons, who go through an established etiquette of advance andrefusal befo
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectphilippinesdescripti
