The ways of flagellants have always inspired awe and
curiosity amongst the faithful during the days of Lent. Pampanga flagellants,
however, have a different intent. Bloodied, scourged and caked with dust,
magdarames live and act out the passion of the Lord—and the term “dámé”, to
sympathize and share one’s grief, to take part in someone else’s suffering--
captures this spirit of oneness, in pain and sorrow. Here are, early images of the
“magdarame” in Pampanga, preserved by
the camera from the turn of the 20th century to the 1950s.
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1. MAMALASPAS
Barefooted flagellants from the early 20th century have their backs incised with wounds, drawing blood by whipping their backs with burilyos--bamboo strips tied to a cloth. These magdarame types are called mamalaspas, A distinctive sound is heard when the bamboo strips strike the flesh.
2. MAGDARAMES IN A VISITA
Makeshift chapels of wood, nipa and light materials serve as pitstops for retinue of magdarames. Here, at these gaily decorated visitas, they pause to say their prayers, before moving on.
3. MAGDARAME ANONYMOUS.
A magdarame remains anonymous by covering his face with a black hood or a white cloth, called "capariza", held in place by a crown of vines or twisted branches. These days, the face cover is an option as some modern-day flagellants expose their faces to the world. Instead, a piece of cloth is used to covers their heads, Arab-style.
4. BLOOD AND GORE
The back of a magdarame
is incised with a panabad, a paddle with shards of broken glass or
directly with a razor or the sharp tip of a knife, such as the one shown in the
photo.
5. EYES ON THE MAGDARAME
A group of American ladies from nearby Fort Stotsenburg gawk at a cross-bearing magdarame, followed by his aide, who intones prayers. Then, as now, magdarames were strange sights to see for foreigners. Today, the display of unusual practices such as flagellation and crucifixion are part of a 'religious tourism program' propagated by such places led by the City of San Fernando.
6. THE CROSS-BEARERS
A popular type of magdarame is the cross-bearer or mamusan kurus. He either carries a cross or is tied to one. This flagellant carries a cross of bamboo, and he carries its full weight as the cross does not touch the ground. Today's crosses are fashioned from commercial lumber from hardware stores, or fashioned from old electric posts. They are also unusually long, so that the end of the cross touches the ground, thus providing support,
7. THE WAY OF THE CROSS
Flagellants often walked country trails and roads, in small packs of 8 to 12. Others go on solitary walks, the better to reflect on his personal mission to be united in suffering with Christ. An American in a white suit follows this group in their walk of faith.
8. WHIP IT GOOD!
Another kind of magdarame is the sasalibatbat, who fling their bodies
to the ground, rolling over sharp rocks and stones in the process. They are followed by a flogger, who whips them when they are on the ground. Their
torsos, legs and arms are tied with abaca rope to impair circulation, hence
making the experience more torturous.
9. EVERYTHING'S ALRIGHT?
An ayudante checks on the condition of a magdarame, sprawled on the field under the hot, mid-day sun. The walk around town begins in the morning, ends by early
afternoon and is followed by a dash to the nearest river for a quick,
recuperative bath.
10. CRUCIFY HIM!
A magdarame is symbolically crucified, by having his arms tied on the crossbar. The first re-enactment of Christ's crucifixion happened in the 1955 "Via Crucis" in San Fernando, but it was only in 1962 that an actual crucifixion was done, with the nailing of Artemio Anoza to the cross in barrio San Pedro Cutud. Anoza believed he could realize his dream to be a faith healer with his crucifixion.
PHOTO SOURCES:
Photos, courtesy of "Old Pampanga" FB Group.
Others: Alex R.castro, ebay.com
