Abstract:
Change is a basic feature of everyday human life. Society as well as its
culture changes and so courtship, betrothal and marriage practices being an
aspect of culture also change. The changes that occurred in the courtship,
betrothal and marriage practices of Central Besao with the passage of time are
the focus of this ethnographic study.
This qualitative research study specifically wanted to find out the changes
both in the material and the non-material culture of Central Besao with regards
to the said practices. It would also trace the causes of these changes.
This study aims to compare the past courtship, betrothal and marriage
practices of Central Besao with that of the present. It also aspires to find out,
intensely discuss and document the vanishing past practices as well as write
about the present practices. It also aims to determine the old practices still
included in the present courtship, betrothal and marriage practices. It also wants
to look into the traditional practices that are no longer done in the present. And
lastly, this research work seeks to learn about the new practices incorporated
with that of the past and find out who and how was it introduced to the people of
Central Besao.
In order to compare the past courtship, betrothal and marriage
practices with that of the present this study made use of ethnography as its
research design. Data were gathered through participant observation and
unstructured interview with the aide of an interview guide. To make sure that
nothing was missed during the interview a tape recorder was used. Photography
was also employed to capture the rituals and ceremonies done during wedding
celebrations.
The key informants were selected using the purposive non-probability
sampling design. They were chosen based on their age and their knowledge of
the prayers, songs, chants used in courting, betrothals and marriages.
The study found out that the courtship, betrothal and marriage practices of
Central Besao have undergone a lot of changes and is still changing. From the
results of the study, it can be deduced that the main reasons for these changes
are the introduction of Christianity, education and the developments in
transportation and communication specifically the opening of the roads and the
penetration of the means of the mass media such as televisions and radios. All of
these made a great impact on the material and nonmaterial culture of Besao.
The information gathered shows that these changes could have been
lessened if the young generation of Central Besao have not willingly patronized
and imbibed within them the practices of other Filipinos and of the Westemers.
This research study then strongly recommends that the young generation
be provided with a solid foundation to appreciate and preserve whatever is left in
the said traditional practices. It also recommends educators to remind the
students of the value of their cultural heritage. The study also encourages the
present generation to take the initiative to know about their very own traditional
practices and be proud of it.