Saturday, March 15, 2008

sandugo


Blood compact or Sandugo is an old ritual where two people drink each other's blood as part of a native custom to seal a friendship, a pact or treaty, or to validate an agreement.

The Sandugo was performed between the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna of Bohol on March 16, 1565 in the Philippines to seal their friendship as part of the native custom. A few drops of blood drawn from a small incision in the arm of the two chiefs were placed in a separate cups containing wine, and in the presence of their followers, each chief drank the potion containing the blood of the other. During this period of colonization, a bond was sealed in accordance with native practice, the first treaty of friendship and alliance between Spaniards and Filipinos.

Photo: Blood Compact or Sandugo shrine in Bool District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

The Sandugo Festival is being celebrated annually in Bohol. The main highlights of the Sandugo Festival are the colorful street parade with a street dancing competition and the re-enactment of the blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel López de Legazpi.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

The acts you describe between the Spanish and Datu Sikatuna of Bohol is amazing to read about because the Spanish slaughtered and enslaved the people they met on the North American continent. It is refreshing to read this different approach in your country and that used in this region.

JaamZIN said...

just by looking at the photo I thought there were drinking beer. But blooooooood...my gosh:)

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