Burdon is a traditional funeral game played in Dueñas, Iloilo, where young men and women participate in symbolic roles to help a grieving family cope with loss. The game involves passing a ring or stone while chanting, with roles like police (pulis), cat (miyaw), king, and queen, all contributing to a playful but spiritually significant atmosphere. If the ring reaches the king and queen unnoticed, the pulis and miyaw face playful punishments like performing a lament or song. This ritual fosters community bonding and often sparks relationships among participants, helping transform grief into social connection. Though once widely practiced, Burdon is now in decline, with only a few families maintaining the tradition amid modern influences. To preserve it, elders informally teach it to younger generations and promote its cultural value through local events and funeral gatherings.
Domain:
Photo Credit/s:
Paclibar, Ruston 2024
Mappers:
Claudette P. Patriarca, Jessica L. Malones, John Robert Laquihon, Jeania Lumayno
Tags:
Burdon, community bonding, Cultural Heritage, Cultural Preservation, declining practice, Dueñas Iloilo, elders teaching youth, funeral gatherings, funeral tradition, grief transformation, grieving process, king and queen roles, local events, miyaw, Philippine folk games, pulis, ring passing game, ritual play, , spiritual significance, symbolic roles, traditional funeral game
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