The Tagbanua: Black Teeth

 


In the old days, the Tagbanua men and women would file and blacken their teeth. The upper and lower incisors were filed with a stone called u'urutan. The occluding surface would be filed to even them then the facial side to make it concave.
The patient bit on a stick of wood during the procedure.
After filing, the leaves of a vine called migay were rubbed on the face of the teeth.
The black residue used to paint the teeth was made from chopped leaves of kabar and tambilikan- boiled until it turns black. The teeth were painted twice a year.
Teeth blackening was supposed to protect the teeth and make it healthier.
This custom was lost in the East Coast when the Christians came and eventually the Apuraw'non Tagbanuas stopped doing it.
Teeth blackening (Ohaguro) is a custom used by the Japanese during the Meiji area. People from Southeast Asia and Oceania still practices it.
Reference:
Religion and Society Among the Tagbanwa by Dr. Robert Fox, 1982.
Attribution:
Masikampo Ruben C. Joya, 18th Masikampu of the Tagbanua and Indigenous People of Palawan
Usba et Masikampo Rikizam M. Joya, MD
Usba et Masikampo Ashelon M. Joya
Usba et Masikampo Ruben M. Joya, II
Maradja Redeem M. Joya
Image:
Google stock photo
credit to owner

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