Superstitious Beliefs Only Pinay Moms Will Understand (1 of 2)
Our Filipino culture is indeed very rich and inimitable. One of its aspects that I find most amusing is our diverse share of superstitious beliefs that our elders would often ask us to follow, especially when one becomes a mom.
See also – Superstitious Beliefs Only Pinay Moms Will Understand (2 of 2)
I never made much a big deal out of these until I became pregnant with my first-born. I came from a family living in a small town in the province and my husband and I decided to go back there from Manila during my last trimester of pregnancy and stayed a few months more after giving birth. You can imagine the number (and the horror 😊) of pamahiins I was told to follow. I am not so much a believer of superstitions myself as I always seek for logical explanation of things, so I had some resistance on following some of it especially those that are way beyond comprehension. But as annoying as it might get hearing these outrageous advices, I still find it a good thing because I just took it as a sign of their concern for me and my baby’s welfare. Plus, at the end of the day, it is still my decision to follow it or not.
This is a collection of the superstitions Pinay moms (myself including) have heard or practiced. I also have included some explanations that were shared by my fellow mommies online, just for the sake of trying to make some sense out of these sayings that are often than not, vaguely reasoned. I have listed it in Filipino (but please excuse my attempts in also translating it in English) so it will be more authentic and fun. It was such a joy coming up with this list as some will really give you a good laugh. This is not meant to ridicule those who religiously believe in it though, but rather simply just as a light and entertaining read for moms and moms-to-be.
Believe it or not, the original list I came up with totaled to 70! – and these are superstitions about motherhood alone. It was such a lot that I only picked the weirdest and the most common ones. I also separated these in two parts – one for preggies and new moms and the other for newborns and toddlers. This blog is for Part 1.
PREGNANCY SUPERSTITIONS
1. Hakbangan si hubby habang tulog, para siya ang maglihi
(Step over your husband while asleep, so he will have the pregnancy cravings / morning sickness instead of you)
2. Huwag tumambay sa may pinto o umupo sa may hagdan, tatambay din si baby sa tiyan at mahihirapan ka manganak.
(Do not stay at the door or sit at the stairs or you will have difficulty with labor)
3. Huwag magsusuot ng kahit na ano sa leeg, baka magka cord coil
(Do not wear anything on your neck e.g. necklace, ID cord, etc. or the baby will have a cord coil)
4. Bawal kumain ng talong, dinuguan at pusit, baka lumabas ang baby na maitim
(Do not eat eggplant, pig blood, and squid or your baby’s complexion will be dark / you will have a blue baby)
5. Bawal magtahi, baka ma-CS
(Stitching and weaving clothes are prohibited to avoid undergoing labor via Cesarean)
6. Maglagay ng bawang, buntot pagi, at walis tingting sa may bintana bilang pangontra sa Aswang/Tiktik
(Put garlic, stingray fish tail, broom sticks on the windows to chase away Aswang)
7. Kung lalabas ng gabi, magdala ng kalamansi, posporo o dahon ng palaspas para di ka maamoy ng mga Aswang/Tik-Tik
(Bring calamansi, a match stick, or palm leaves when walking at night because it helps hide your smell from the Aswang)
8. Bawal mag-renovate o magpagawa ng bahay habang buntis, magkakabutas ang mga lamang-loob ni baby
(Do not build/renovate new houses because the baby’s internal organs will have holes)
9. Bawal mamingwit, magkaka Cleft Lip/Palate ang baby
(You cannot go fishing whilst pregnant to avoid baby having cleft lip/palate)
10. Bawal mag-ninang sa binyag habang buntis, mamalasin ka
(Do not become a baptism godmother whilst pregnant as it will bring you misfortunes)
EARLY POST-PARTUM and BREASTFEEDING SUPERSTITIONS
1. Bawal maligo ng 15 na araw (o isang buwan) para hindi mabinat
(Do not take a bath for 15 days to a month to avoid relapse after giving birth)
2. Bawal uminom ng malamig at dapat laging nakabalot para hindi malamigan at mabinat
(You cannot drink cold beverages and you should always be covered e.g. with jacket, socks, and pajamas after giving birth to avoid getting cold and a relapse)
3. Pakatapos manganak, huwag masyadong maging madaldal at kakabagin
(Do not talk too much after giving birth or you will have an upset tummy)
4. Ibaon ang inunan sa unahan ng bahay at samahan ng lapis, papel at pera para maging matalino at maswerte ang baby
(Bury the placenta in front of the house together with a pencil, a paper and money for the baby to be intelligent and to attract luck)
5. Bawal magpadede nang pagod, pag matagal nasa labas or pag kakaluto lang, baka makainom ng panis na gatas si baby
(Do not breastfeed when you are tired, right after being away for a couple of hours and after cooking or the baby will drink spoilt milk)
6. Bawal magpadede pagkatapos maligo at pagkatapos uminom ng malamig, baka lamigin/sipunin si baby
(Do not latch after taking a bath or drinking cold drinks, or baby will also get cold/have colds)
7. Ang kabilang dede ay kanin, ang kabilang dede ay ulam/tubig. Baka siguro payat kasi yung isang dede lang ang madaming gatas
(The other side of the breast is rice, the other is the pair dish/water. Maybe the baby is thin because the other side of your boob does not have enough milk)
8. Huwag matulog/magpadede nang nakataas ang kamay para hindi matuyuan ng gatas
(Do not sleep or breastfeed with your arms up or your breastmilk will get drained)
9. Magpagupit nang mas maikli para hindi mapunta ang sustansya ng gatas sa buhok
(Cut your hair short so the nutrients of the milk will not go to your hair)
10. Kung gusto nang huminto sa pagpapadede at maubusan ng gatas, magsuot ng kwintas
(To stop breastfeeding and stop milk from coming, wear a necklace)
What do you think of the above? Share your thoughts by sending your comments and contributions below. I will be happy to edit this post to include more!
The MoMillennial Pinay
