Tradition

Women and Marriage

In marriage, it was customary to marry someone within their rank, like for a nobleman to marry a noblewomen. However, they are not strict in prohibiting intermarriages between the nobility and the commoners.

Before marriages, the groom should give a dowry to the family of the bride. This dowry is what we called "bigaykaya" where it consists of gold, land, slaves and many more. Aside from it the groom should also give service to the family in certain period of time where in he would help the father of the girl in plowing the field. He also help in planting and harvesting rice.

The early Filipinos practiced divorce when there is:
1. Adultery
2. Desertion
3. loss of affection
4. cruelty
5. insanity
6. childlessness

Burial and Mourning

The early Filipinos believed in life after that is why they took care in burrying the dead. The dead was buried amidst deep in his home, in a cave or on a headland overlooking the sea. Clothes, golds, weapons, food and sometimes slaves are buried with the dead.

The relatives of the dead wore rattan bands around their neck, arms, and legs during the period of mourning. They also avoid eating meat and drinking wine.

For a Datu, the mourning custom was called "larao". No colored clothes were worn by greiving people. They also suspends war and quarrels for the peacefulness of the burial of their Datu. All warriors carried their spears with the tips pointed downwards and their daggers with hilts reversed.
Picture
This is a drawing of Jars which is used by the early Filipinos in buurrying their dead. This picture is drawn by Jezeel Jara Espiritu.

Mode of Dressing

The men wore a collarless, short sleeved jacket called "kangan" and a strip of cloth, called "bahag" which is wrapped around the waist and inn between legs. The kangan is dyed either in blue or black, except for that of the chief which is  red. The men used "putong", a piece of cloth wound around the head. They had no shoes. They also have jewelries like gold necklace, armlet called "kalombigas" and gold Anklets.

The women wore a wide sleeved jacket called "baro" and their skirts are called "patadyong" which is made out cotton cloth which they they wrapped around their waist.  Thir jewels consists of gold necklace, bracelet, and earring. They also put gold in betwee their teeth and like men they also go barefoot.
Picture
This is drawing of different jewelries used by both men and women in ancient times. This picture is drawn by King Nathan Delos Santos and Jezeel Jara Espiritu.