CHEWING.........GIL ALU MAMA IN B'LAAN LANGUAGE

Highland B'laan have been chewing for so many years, and popularly important past time of the lives of the B'laan people of Pula Bato, Tampakan, South, Cotabato. The substances used in chewing, the ingredients are, betel nut or bunga, fresh pepper leaves vine or buyo, lime powder or apog and damp tobacco leaves. Chewing of betel nut, lime powder is often wrapped in a fresh pepper leaf and damp tobacco are blended with lime powder mix to produce a chewing compound. When chewing the substances, find the red saliva and blackened teeth resulting from regular use. It is an old tradition, enjoyed by the Highland B'laans of both genders, that provides mild stimulation and sweating of the breath. They believe the chewing of betel, tiredness when they work for long hours can make them feel better. Because of the tobacco like taste good and hot bring effects, that users keep warm and alert so long as they are chewing. Betel nut was the most important social act among the Highland B'laans. Men and women B'laans carried the necessary ingredients with them in little special basket or pouches or in betel nut boxes ready to share these with friends and relatives. Among Highland B'laan tribe, many of whom continue to take part in traditional rituals, and they believe that betel nuts are seen as powerful medicine, and conside

red to be an effective home remedy. Children and youth no longer follow the custom of betel chewing. But some Highland B'laans continued their cultural practice of chewing betel nut for social custom, and cultural rituals....PHOTO POSTED ...MY OIL PAINTING COLLECTION......