Ube, the Sacred Food of the Boholanos
by fdaray
Ube is one of the tubers or yam that grows abundantly and harvested in December in
Bohol. After the harvest, the rootcrops are inspected and those with bolo cuts and
bruises were used first for food as substitute for rice and corn. The rest are stored for
family consumption anytime during the year. Ubi planting goes back in June. There are
many varities of ube like kabus-ok, tam-isan, kabawoy, liko , binanag and the famous
purple-violet kinampay, the king of ube.
Ube is the main staple rootcrops of the Boholanos and venerated as sacred crop since
the ancient times. During a famine that happened long befor the coming of the
Spaniards, it is said that the ube was the only crop grew in Bohol and saved the people
from extreme hunger and death.That is why they had a great respect for it and why it
is the only staple food mentioned in the Bohol Hym. At this time, the Boholanos started
to honor by having an Ube Festival in January. They had also the Miss Ube Beauty
Pageant. You can see displays of different ube varities with different sizes and an award
is given to the biggest ube.
Tagged as one of the countrys' five crops for export by the Department of Trade and
Industry, the demand of ube continues to grow. Here and abroad, it is being marketed
in powdered form, puree, dried chips, cubes, syrup and for ice cream, the famous purpled
'kinampay'.
When one speak of Ube to a Boholano, there is always a story to tell. When a person
accidentaly drop an ube to the ground or floor, they say an apology saying "puyra gaba,
wala nako tuyoa" and kiss it as a sign of reverence and love.
The Boholanos believed that Ube was the special food given to them by Bathala, the
Supreme Creator. It was the food that saved them from extreme famine when a drought
happened long time ago.
Mr. Daray,
I did not know that you posted this some 3 years ago. I just recently read this post of yours today and would like to extend gratitude for your article.
Ube, definitely is a great food product. When I was in Bohol last year, I had my share of Ube Jam as well as Ube Ice Cream.
Salamat Kaayo!
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