“GO DELIVER THIS Afag of (name).” You’ll certainly hear an Elder in the Afay (mat of reeds for the sacrificed animals in a ‘native’ feast or Cañao – big or small). Said Elder is saying to one (note: singular pronoun Mo) younger person; or more than one (i.e. Jo).
THE AFAG IS a ‘native’ form of ‘Token’ (or share, rather) for a co-resident of a Sitio, Barangay, or Kaapagan (as defined by Tradition) in said Feast’s location; note: whether he/she attended the feast, or not. Further
THIS AFAG RAW-meat ‘token’ slices – is not to be mistaken for the (cooked) Watwat – usually given only to attendees – especially when the cooked meat slices served during the meals are ‘a bit plenty’ – sosobda; or aasdegto, =int ‘more than enough’. Going back to the Afag:
WHEN THE AFAG IS being counted in the Afay, the lead counter (male/female) asks, for example: “how many total slices again for Sitio Camodinga East?”
‘FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-nine, I suppose’. says one. But another one says, “no, it’s now 540 – because Mrs. Shawilan gave birth to a baby boy last week”. And if no further comments or corrections, the lead counter, asks the figures total of other Sitios or Kaapagan-locations, et cetera.
WHEN A SITIO – or just a group of households (they/we now call Purok/s) have no ‘representative’ among those in the Afay, the lead counter reports this to the hosting house head – or the appropriate (kin-) Elder. And so
THESE WILL TRY to find one among the attendees; if there’s none, they’ll assign someone among themselves in the hosting village and usually, they entrust the delivery of the Afag slices (to the non-attending locations), to: some young men of good repute-and-agility, Bedolekin taratarahe, reminding these of the great ‘responsibility’ of delivering said Afag; as well as the ‘consequences’ that can befall them, if they fail – on account of their own faults – in their mission. And the dispatching Elder finalizedly asks:
“NOW THAT YOU’VE heard – or are reminded of the sensitivity of your going to Sitio/location (name of place), are you willing and happy to do it?”
THE BALODAKIS USUALLY answer Yes! If there’s one or two among them who say no! because of a good obvious reason e.g. ailment, indisposition, etc., he/these are excused. But the moment they say Yes!,
THERE IS NO turning back, and the Afag is brought safe and untouched in to the intended locations. A happy ending, as we say for both the hosts and the village, as well as the Afag recipients. However,
IF UNDELIVERED – THOUGH only in extremely rare cases, the stories shall be different. To cite one ‘popular’ narration:
THERE WERE JUST the two of them. They were to pass through two Sitios before they could reach their destination. So, it was quite far, considering that there were no roads before – only foot trails.
ALONG THE WAY, they passed by a cantina (sari-sari store) where there were balodakis – young men like them, feasting on a jar of Tapey or fermented rice wine – matched with two sabags (wild chicken); one already roasted, the other one still roasting, on fire.
UNABLE TO PROVIDE an immediate excuse to refuse the invitation, the two Afag carriers joined in.
AFTER HOURS OF fun – telling anecdotes, jesting, taking in additional drinks, the two realized, with concern.. their task on the Afag. Thereupon, they asked their fellow Balodakis they be allowed to leave.
THEY CONTINUED THEIR journey; but after some ground covered, it was getting dark and besides: their pine raisin flame, tanghöw, was almost depleted. They had to find shelter somewhere and rest a while. The light of Dawn shall come and they’ll resume, they agreed.
THEY FOUND AN Abulan – a small shack used by villagers when driving away birds, rats, etc., that come to disturb their palay/rice fields and plantations.
PERHAPS ON ACCOUNT of their wearied selves, they roasted some slices of their Afag load – agreeing to confess their deed later.
THEY DID, AND the Elders understood and believed their story. But just the same, the village Council of Elders declared, they were to be faulted. So, they were mulcted.
SO THAT EVEN in these Contemporary Times, the parents don’t forget to remind their male children: “Always deliver an entrusted Afag – or strings of them: safely, untouched, and promptly. If, in your mind, you find it difficult, say ‘sorry po’ you can’t. They’ll not force you. They’ll ask or send someone else”. Ayuhh kha!
April 26, 2024
