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Ever wander through a crowded market and catch a whiff of something… less than pleasant? Makes you wonder, how did people deal with body odor way back in the day, before fancy deodorants and perfumes flooded the shelves?
Let’s dive into the fascinating world of pre-colonial and colonial Philippines and uncover their secrets to smelling fresh.
A Daily Dip: Bathing Rituals in Ancient Philippines
You know how some folks say Filipinos are obsessed with showering? Turns out, it’s in our blood! Historical records, including the Boxer Codex, reveal that our ancestors were serious about bathing.
- Forget a quick splash – full-body immersion was the norm, at least once a day, often more.
- Imagine starting your day with a dip in a cool river and ending it with another as the sun sets.
- Some accounts even mention bathing three times a day! Talk about dedication!
Fun Fact: Ever heard your lola warn against bathing after sunset? Turns out, this superstition about “singaw” (a kind of ailment) has been around for centuries!
Beyond the Bath: A Symphony of Scents
While frequent bathing definitely helped, Filipinos were also masters of fragrance, using a captivating array of natural ingredients:
1. Incense from Sacred Trees:
- Forget those synthetic air fresheners! Filipinos used incense derived from native trees, filling their homes with a natural, earthy aroma.
- These incense weren’t just about the smell – they were also used for personal worship and to create a sacred atmosphere.
2. Aromatic Plants and Flowers:
- Imagine a home adorned with fragrant branches and vibrant flowers, their sweet scent wafting through the air.
- Festivities were especially fragrant, with homes and even religious icons like the Sto. Nino statue decorated with “ramas olorosas” – fragrant branches.
3. Animal-Derived Musks:
- This one might surprise you: civet cats played a key role in ancient Filipino perfumery!
- The “gato de algalia,” as the Spanish called it, possessed glands that secreted a potent musk, used either on its own or blended with other ingredients to create intoxicating perfumes.
- But that wasn’t all! Deer musk, likely imported from India, was another popular choice, even used to create fragrant wines – now that’s what I call an aromatic experience!
4. Ambergris: The Unexpected Treasure:
- Picture this: a giant lump of whale vomit washes ashore…sounds gross, right? But this wasn’t just any vomit – this was ambergris!
- Valued for its unique scent, ambergris was a rare find, used in perfumes and other fragrant concoctions.
From Oils to Pastes: The Art of Fragrance Creation:
- Our ancestors didn’t just use these fragrant ingredients in their raw form. They were skilled at processing and blending them to create different textures and scents.
- References to “aceite” (oil) and “pastillas” (paste) suggest they created both liquid and solid forms of perfumes.