The B’laan people have distinct customs and beliefs surrounding pregnancy and childbirth, reflecting their care and cultural values for both the mother and the child.

Signs of Pregnancy

• Physical and Behavioral Signs:

  • Changes in the menstrual cycle and noticeable palpitations.

  • Increased appetite, often accompanied by cravings for sour fruits.

  • Pregnant women are easily annoyed, displaying aggressive behavior.

  • A tendency to become inactive, which is sometimes mistaken for laziness.

Care for Pregnant Women

• Special Treatment:

  • Pregnant women are given the food they desire.

  • Protection against bad spirits is ensured using a concoction called tubli, made of herbal ingredients:

    • Kalmingi or Kisol: Drives away bad spirits.

    • Ufos Tbo: Reduces the size of the placenta for easier delivery.

    • Tafong Tambasal: Similar purpose as Ufos Tbo.

Unwanted Pregnancies

• Coping Mechanisms:

  • Pregnant women with unwanted pregnancies may hide their belly with a veil or wear a malong as a cloak.

  • Efforts to abort the fetus may involve manually squeezing the womb, particularly when the father’s identity is unknown or the father is already married.

Pregnancy Beliefs and Taboos

• Beliefs:

  • No one should block the door during childbirth.

  • Pregnant women are discouraged from eating “twin” fruits to avoid conceiving twins.

  • Pregnant women should not tie cloth or a handkerchief around their belly, as it might entangle the baby’s umbilical cord.

  • If someone passes behind a pregnant woman’s chair while she eats, it is believed the child will inherit that person’s traits.

• Taboos:

  • Pregnant women should avoid going out at night to steer clear of bad spirits.

  • During the phenomenon of mayaw tana (rain while the sun is shining), pregnant women are prohibited from leaving the house.

Childbirth Practices

• Preparation and Delivery:

  • Childbirth is marked by terrible stomach pain, followed by vaginal bleeding. The woman's face often shows signs of strain, such as crossed eyes or fainting.

  • Elderly women, often the mother or grandmother of the pregnant woman, assist in the delivery if a midwife is unavailable.

• Husband’s Role:

  • The husband must gather a chicken for the wife to eat, burn herbs, and tend a fire outside.

  • If absent during delivery and arriving later, the husband may only enter through a window to avoid illnesses affecting the mother or baby.

• After Delivery:

  • The umbilical cord is cut using bagakay (bamboo).

  • An herbal drink made from maltaan, afnay, bamboo, nito/sluan, and kufil kwang is given to the mother to prevent postpartum illness (para dili mabughat).

  • The mother can eat most foods but must avoid bangulan banana, eggplant, patola, yam (ube), and taro (gabi), as these are believed to cause issues like shrinking the baby or irritating the navel.

Post-Delivery Customs

• Baby's First Bath:

  • The newborn is bathed only after nine days using steamed leaves of baongon or lagundi.

• Naming the Baby:

  • Both parents name the child, often taking inspiration from heroes (e.g., Sangteh or Anggid), tribal leaders (Fulung), or names of trees.

  • If the couple lives with the grandparents, the elders may have the honor of naming the child.

Gifts and Celebrations

• Visitors are expected to bring a gift to the house, especially for a mother who has given birth to her first child. Guests are not allowed to leave until they have given their customary gift.

These practices and beliefs showcase the B’laan people's profound respect for life and the significant role of community, tradition, and spirituality in pregnancy and childbirth.

Courtship and Marriage Practices of the B'laan

• Role of a Wife and Husband

  • A wife is expected to be a supportive partner, sharing the burdens of life with her husband.

  • She serves as a good hostess, especially when her husband entertains guests, which is more frequent if the husband is of royal lineage.

  • A husband’s primary role is to provide for the family, which includes planning and ensuring the family's overall well-being rather than just laboring in the fields.

• Living Arrangements After Marriage

  • Newlywed couples traditionally live with the bride’s family for at least a year to receive guidance as they adjust to married life.

  • The bride’s parents monitor the couple to correct mistakes and ensure they fulfill their roles effectively.

  • In earlier times, a groom who had not fully paid the dowry was required to remain with his in-laws and complete the service portion of the dowry before starting his own household.

  • Couples may permanently reside with the bride’s family, especially if the in-laws are wealthy, and respectful behavior toward the parents may result in inheriting property.

• Separation and Property Division

  • If a couple cannot resolve marital issues after counseling by in-laws, community leaders mediate and make decisions.

  • Property is divided based on fault:

    • If the wife is at fault, she must return double the dowry to her husband.

    • If the husband is at fault, he must provide compensation to his children.

    • If both are equally at fault, community elders decide how to divide the property.

  • Minor children typically go to the mother, while older children may choose their guardian.

  • A ceremonial sacrifice, often of a pig or chicken, is performed during separation to ward off bad luck.

Courtship Traditions

• There is no fixed age for courtship, and marriages may be pre-arranged by parents.

• A man begins courting when he feels ready to take on the responsibilities of fatherhood.

• If a married man courts another woman for a second marriage (dwaya), he must first seek his wife’s consent.

Wedding Preparations

1. Slulok Tising

   • The parents of the couple exchange rings as a preliminary agreement.

2. Kfligu

   • The groom’s relatives present a dowry, which may include valuable items such as agong (gongs), fais (kris swords), bu-us (betel nut containers), kmagi (gold necklaces), horses, or carabaos.

3. Mimo Ale Butang

   • The bride’s family sets the wedding date after deliberation.

Roles and Responsibilities in Marriage

• Fan-ngulan: A wife is expected to fulfill her duties for the family, while the husband is provided with tools like a bolo and a spear to support kaingin (slash-and-burn farming).

• The couple continues to live with the wife’s family until they are prepared to establish their own home, usually after the wife gives birth.

Common Reasons for Separation

• Misunderstandings, jealousy, or neglect of marital responsibilities often lead to separation.

• Fault determines property division:

  • If the husband is at fault, the wife retains all family property.

  • If the wife is at fault, she must return double the dowry.

• Custody of children depends on age: young children stay with the mother, while older children choose their guardian.