A Comparative Study on the Past and the Present Courtship, Betrothal and Marriage Practices of Central Besao, Mt. Province

Abstract

Change is a basic feature of everyday human life. Society as well as its culture changes and so courtship, betrothal and marriage practices being an aspect of culture also change. The changes that occurred in the courtship, betrothal and marriage practices of Central Besao with the passage of time are the focus of this ethnographic study. This qualitative research study specifically wanted to find out the changes both in the material and the non-material culture of Central Besao with regards to the said practices. It would also trace the causes of these changes. This study aims to compare the past courtship, betrothal and marriage practices of Central Besao with that of the present. It also aspires to find out, intensely discuss and document the vanishing past practices as well as write about the present practices. It also aims to determine the old practices still included in the present courtship, betrothal and marriage practices. It also wants to look into the traditional practices that are no longer done in the present. And lastly, this research work seeks to learn about the new practices incorporated with that of the past and find out who and how was it introduced to the people of Central Besao. In order to compare the past courtship, betrothal and marriage practices with that of the present this study made use of ethnography as its research design. Data were gathered through participant observation and unstructured interview with the aide of an interview guide. To make sure that nothing was missed during the interview a tape recorder was used. Photography was also employed to capture the rituals and ceremonies done during wedding celebrations. The key informants were selected using the purposive non-probability sampling design. They were chosen based on their age and their knowledge of the prayers, songs, chants used in courting, betrothals and marriages. The study found out that the courtship, betrothal and marriage practices of Central Besao have undergone a lot of changes and is still changing. From the results of the study, it can be deduced that the main reasons for these changes are the introduction of Christianity, education and the developments in transportation and communication specifically the opening of the roads and the penetration of the means of the mass media such as televisions and radios. All of these made a great impact on the material and nonmaterial culture of Besao. The information gathered shows that these changes could have been lessened if the young generation of Central Besao have not willingly patronized and imbibed within them the practices of other Filipinos and of the Westemers. This research study then strongly recommends that the young generation be provided with a solid foundation to appreciate and preserve whatever is left in the said traditional practices. It also recommends educators to remind the students of the value of their cultural heritage. The study also encourages the present generation to take the initiative to know about their very own traditional practices and be proud of it.