Villagomez, Adonis

August 20, 2015

2013-61869
Art Stud 2 THW-2
Lukayo is a ritual that celebrates matrimony and fertility and dates back to pre-colonial
era and is tied to our Hindu-Malay past. This ritual involves elder and not-so-elderly women
called lukayo or luka-lukang payaso (crazy clown/jester) who parades and dances off of the
streets during weddings. Seems normal eh? Heres the twist: these women wave around carved
wooden phalluses, brandish them like swords, spin them like batons, and/or thrust them in the
rear of other women like, well, phalluses. They do these to wish the newlyweds a happy marriage
life and many children, as what the phalluses symbolize: fertility and potency. For a conservative
country like Philippines, this ritual is a no-no. Lukayo raises the eyebrows of many, especially
the Church. That may be the case; one can say that the Lukayo is carnivalesque in nature as it
falls under the categories of Mikhail Bakhtin, a Russian critic. First, familiar and free interaction
of people is done during the ritual. Even free expression of people is encouraged, as can be seen
on how to women act during the ritual. Second, eccentric and unacceptable behaviors are
allowed in this ritual. Although many find the ritual lewd and objectionable, the fact that this
ritual has survived through many years and is still practiced up to now suggests that the ritual is
acceptable in the areas where it is practiced. Third, carnivalistic misalliances is welcomed where
things that are normally separated may be reunited and is allowed such as male and female,
young and old, etc. Fourth, sacrilegious acts are allowed during the ritual without having to
worry about its consequences. This can be shown by women waving phalluses. Although this is
done to symbolize fertility, it is also done to mock male dominance and assert women

independence. Also, this is done during weddings in a Christian-dominated Philippines, which is

sacred according to Christian teachings. These kinds of behaviors show that the Lukayo ritual is
really carnivalesque in its core where authority is challenged, often satirical, and conservative is
liberated through humor and chaos. However, the traditional carnival essence in the ritual is still
present. The lukayo women are decorated with brightly colored ribbons, faux jewelry and gaudy
flowers. They are dancing and singing and laughing and horse playing on the streets which show
that the ritual is a time for merrymaking and does not intend to insult or offend or make anyone
uncomfortable. In actuality, these women break barriers and show that in a time of a festival such
as the Lukayo ritual, liberal acts are acceptable where some may disagree with, especially in a
conservative country like the Philippines.
All in all, a festival is a time of merrymaking, a time where authority doesnt hold, a time
where conservative views are abolished temporarily, a time where something can happen, a time
where a change can actually happen.