KAPAMPANGAN

CULTURE
ORIENT II – KAPAMPANGAN LANGUAGE AND
CULTURE
 The Kapampangans
• The Kapampangans live in the provinces of Pampanga and some
border towns of Bataan (Dinalupihan and Hermosa) and Tarlac
(Bamban, Capas, Concepcion and Tarlac City).
• Pampanga, which etymologically means "Pampang" or riverbank,  is
bounded on the north by Tarlac City and Nueva Ecija, on the east by
Bulacan, southeast by Manila Bay, on the southwest by Bataan and
on the west by Zambales.
•  The province has a total land area of 218,068 hectares
representing 12 percent of Regions III total area.  It is
composed of 21 municipalities with 538 barangays and
one city.   The total population (as of 1995 census) is
1,635,767.
• The province of Tarlac, whose name was derived from a talahib
weed called "Malatarlac" is situated at the center of the Central
Plains of Luzon Island.   It is landlocked by four provinces of
Region III, namely: Nueva Ecija (east), Pangasinan (north),
Pampanga (south) and Zambales (west).  It covers a territory of
305,345 hectares.
• The province abounds in skilled labor.  Foremost of
these are the woodcarvers of Guagua; red clay potters
of Sto. Tomas; blacksmiths of Apalit and giant lantern
makers of San Fernando.
 Beliefs and Practices

• Just like the other ethnolinguistic groups, the

Kapampangans have rich customs and traditions
governing the rites of passage.  Some of these practices
are still being observed nowadays.
 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.  It is put on a frame and hung
in the sala like a picture.
 Courtship and Marriage
• The pamanhikan, where the male, with the permission of the
parents, is to visit the girl in the latter's house.
 Death and Burial
• The wake (makipaglame) lasts for at least three days and two
nights after which everybody participates in the libing
(interment).
 Mal a Aldo
• Pampanga is one of the provinces of the Philippines with really
colorful (and at times bloody) Holy Week practices and rituals.
It's quite close to Manila too. Which is why it's a good place to
experience Holy Week, Mahal na Araw or Mal a Aldo.
 Holy Wednesday
• The highlight of the day would be the Holy Wednesday
Processions. Several towns have very elaborate carrozas,
particularly Bacolor, Sasmuan, Guagua, Santa Rita, Betis and
San Fernando.
 Holy Thursday
• Pampanga is quite (in)famous for Holy Week flagellation. And
this usually peaks on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. There
are other traditions including Dakit Cordero in Mabalacat (2:30
p.m.) and Santo Tomas (4 p.m.). and the Pasyon Serenata in
Brgy. San Basilio, Santa Riat (8 p.m. to 12 midnight) and Sitio
Maligaya in San Basilio (also 8 p.m. to 12 midnight).
 Lubenas
• Lubenas came from the word novena, which means nine days,
referring to the nine-day simbang gabi. But while the rest of the
country was content with attending dawn masses for nine
consecutive days, Kapampangans went a step farther by holding
a procession on the eve of every simbang gabi, i.e., they had a
procession after dinner, which means they slept late, and then
woke up before dawn for the simbang gabi (or simbang bengi
in Kapampangan).
 Supernatural Beliefs
• NUNU - An old man who resides
in mounds.
 Mangkukulam
• Feasts on flesh and blood of
men/women; possessing dreadful
evil power
 Tianak / Pantyanak
• Are evil spirits who inhabit forests and
bamboo thickets. They are usually
described as taking the form of a baby
left in the forest to lure unsuspecting
victims.
 Dwende
• Are spirit that assume the form of
man, usually described as tiny
beings.
 Kapre
• Are nocturnal giants that live
atop tall thick trees. Usually
described as harmless, they
nevertheless play tricks on
unsuspecting victims. They are
said to smoke cigar and are 30
to 50 feet tall.
 Magkukutud
• Are beings endowed with
supernatural powers to separate their
upper body from their lower body.