Pahinis is a traditional fishing ritual practiced in Ivisan, Capiz, believed to bring a good catch and honor the spirits of the sea and departed loved ones. During the ritual, a large pig is cooked to feed the community, and offerings like food, liquor, and animals like chicken, crabs or shrimps are floated on the sea as gifts to spirits. A prayer is led by a ritual leader who throws pieces of cooked meat in all four directions to feed unseen beings. The ceremony ends with a shared meal, ensuring all attendees are well-fed as part of the blessing. Today, the ritual is rarely practiced, as no one takes the lead.
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Mappers:
Leonida Obuyes, Yvette Andion, Hannah Feliciano Macario, Karen Dondiego
Tags:
ancestral honoring, coastal community custom, coastal ritual, communal feast, Cultural Heritage, disappearing tradition, Filipino sea ritual, folk ritual, food offerings, indigenous belief system, intangible cultural heritage, intergenerational loss, Ivisan Capiz ritual, marine blessings, maritime tradition, Pahinis, ritual leader, sea spirit offerings, spiritual fishing practice, traditional fishing ceremony
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