Monday, July 6, 2009

LENT IN GASAN: POPUA WOMEN


The practice of donning black sutana with their heads covered with popua leaves, as they go out into procession around central Gasan on Holy Wednesday and Good Friday, is exclusive to some women of this town. It is another form of panata, vow or sakripisyo, penance. Identities are concealed for personal religious beliefs and should not be flaunted in any manner by the subjects. Masks were normally for the menfolk, popua for the womenfolk.

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