Iraya Mangyan - Ethnoastronomical Beliefs

Ethnoastronomy is the association of living practices in the movements and positions of the heavenly bodies. It reflects the ways of living, planting, harvesting, entertaining, and knowing the reason for existence.

In particular, the Iraya Mangyan’s ethnoastronomical beliefs have been translated into their cultural practices. Star patterns and formation, as well as phases of the moon, have great importance in their everyday lives.

Ethnoastronomical beliefs on planting

The planting season of the Iraya Mangyan is dependent on the moon and stars.

The start of the planting season is marked by the number of stars in the night sky. It is believed that when there are no stars, it is bad luck to plant as they will not yield good harvest. Numerous stars in the sky by the end of the year is considered an indication that there will be a bountiful harvest.

The moon’s phases also serve as signs of the start of the planting season and must be observed cautiously. The full moon hints the planting season. The preparation of the land also must be done in the full moon to ensure the plants’ robust germination.

Ethnoastronomical beliefs on courtship and marriage

The clustering of the stars also has meaning concerned with marriage. When stars are positioned in a way that they are forming a circle and there are two stars in between, it means there has been a wedding. It may also mean that there are two lovers investigated whether they really love each other. When two stars are beside each other and are near the moon, it means a couple will elope.

Marriages must happen in the full moon. It is believed that there is a direct relationship between the size of the moon and the couple’s patience and understanding for each other. The smaller the moon, the smaller understanding and thus more disagreement between the couple that might lead to a relationship that might not last. On the other hand, marriages that happen in the full moon lead to a stronger, more patient and understanding relationship.

Ethnoastronomical beliefs on pregnancy and giving birth

When a pregnant woman is in her last trimester of pregnancy, the “leaning moon” or the crescent moon means the woman is about to give birth.

Ethnoastronomical beliefs on spirits and sickness

Sickness-causing evil spirits swarm during a full moon. Thus, it is believed that clothes must not be left hanging outside during the night as these evil spirits may attach themselves to the clothes and cause sickness to the children.

Sources

Literary Source

Cadiz, Arlon, Bernardita Rosales, Luisito Evangelista, and Romeo Maligaya. "The Ethnoastronomical Beliefs of Mangyan Indigenous People: Case of Iraya Tribe in Occidental Mindoro." Asia Pacific Higher Education Research Journal 6, no. 2 (2019). 15-25. https://po.pnuresearchportal.org/ejournal/index.php/apherj/article/view/1394

Image Source

"nature, Moon, stars, astronomy, space, night, sky, beauty in nature, HD wallpaper," Wallpaper Flare, accessed August 23, 2021, https://www.wallpaperflare.com/nature-moon-stars-astronomy-space-night-sky-beauty-in-nature-wallpaper-cqyaz