Simbang Gabi
Encyclopedia
A Simbang Gabi is a nine-day Roman Catholic ritual novena
performed in the Philippines
which starts from December 16 and ends on December 24. Simbang Gabi, which translates to Evening Mass is usually performed as early as 4 or 5 in the morning. The last day of the Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve
, is called Misa de Gallo, which literally translates to "Rooster's Mass"
The Simbang Gabi originated not just out of devotion, but also due to practicality. In the 333 years that Spain ruled the Philippines, it was customary for the friars and priests (known then as frailes y cura parrocos) to celebrate Holy Mass for the multitudes of Filipinos living in the barrios. In less than two generations after the arrival of the Spaniards, or by 1600, the greater part of the islands have been successfully converted to the Catholic faith.
Simbang Gabi starts so early because of the experience of the Filipinos under the Spanish Regime.
An agricultural country famed for its rice fields and coconut and sugarcane plantations, families then started their day even before the sun would rise. Many farmers (also known as sacadas, campesino
s, and casamacs) toiled all day. They only had a break during noon everyday, when the scorching sun would be at its peak. Losing an hour due to the inhospitable temperature, farmers worked very hard and budgeted their time wisely unless they incur the ire of the local encargado, or administrator of the Spanish lord or encomendero / hacendero.
In between the planting season and harvest, there is a lull in the back breaking work imposed on the Filipinos out in the fields. Those who are old enough to sustain manual labor are gathered under the "tributo" system whereby they would have to work for free for the Spanish government, where they were tasked to build everything from cobblestone streets, the felling of trees for new government buildings and other projects. The women also have their share of work. Besides tending to their vegetable gardens or tumana, they were conscripted to work as household help for the local political elite.
The Filipinos worked non stop in the plantations and homes of the ruling Spaniards. Nonetheless, when the annual Christmas season would begin, it was customary to hold novenas around the entire country. The friars and the priests saw that the people, although tired and numb from work, wanted to hear the word of the Lord, even before toiling out in the fields yet again. As a compromise, the clergy began to hold Mass early dawn when the land would still be dark, a break in tradition prevalent in Spain and her Latin American colonies.
Filipinos came by the countless multitudes and afterwards, it became a distinct feature in Philippine culture to celebrate Holy Mass at such a rather early time.
To this day, local delicacies are readily available for the parishioners as they step out of the churches. Latik
and Yema
candies are sold to children. Biscuits like Uraro, Barquillos, Lengua de Gato and Otap
are also sold. Cafe Barako (a very strong coffee grown and ground in the tradition of the province of Batangas
) or Salabat (yellow ginger juice served hot) were the main drinks. Arroz caldo (rice and chicken porridge) and Papait (in the Ilocos
region) soups abound. Puto bumbong, bibingka
, suman
and other sweet rice cakes are cooked on the spot under fiery red coals.
On top of the sweets, these types of rice-based foods were traditionally served so as to fill the stomachs of the farmers a long time ago. Rice, being a cheap staple, made one's belly feel full very quickly, and is full of carbohydrates / starch, needed for the backbreaking work in the rice paddies and azucareras that the populace had to endure.
In time, Simbang Gabi became a symbol for Sharing, in both hardship and happiness, for the largely Catholic nation.
Novena
In the Catholic Church, a novena is a devotion consisting of a prayer repeated on nine successive days, asking to obtain special graces. The prayers may come from prayer books, or consist of the recitation of the Rosary , or of short prayers through the day...
performed in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
which starts from December 16 and ends on December 24. Simbang Gabi, which translates to Evening Mass is usually performed as early as 4 or 5 in the morning. The last day of the Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
, is called Misa de Gallo, which literally translates to "Rooster's Mass"
The Simbang Gabi originated not just out of devotion, but also due to practicality. In the 333 years that Spain ruled the Philippines, it was customary for the friars and priests (known then as frailes y cura parrocos) to celebrate Holy Mass for the multitudes of Filipinos living in the barrios. In less than two generations after the arrival of the Spaniards, or by 1600, the greater part of the islands have been successfully converted to the Catholic faith.
Simbang Gabi starts so early because of the experience of the Filipinos under the Spanish Regime.
An agricultural country famed for its rice fields and coconut and sugarcane plantations, families then started their day even before the sun would rise. Many farmers (also known as sacadas, campesino
Campesino
Campesino may refer to:Peasant in Spanish.The arts* Los Campesinos!, an indie pop band from Cardiff, Wales* Teatro Campesino, a theater group founded by the United Farm WorkersPeople...
s, and casamacs) toiled all day. They only had a break during noon everyday, when the scorching sun would be at its peak. Losing an hour due to the inhospitable temperature, farmers worked very hard and budgeted their time wisely unless they incur the ire of the local encargado, or administrator of the Spanish lord or encomendero / hacendero.
In between the planting season and harvest, there is a lull in the back breaking work imposed on the Filipinos out in the fields. Those who are old enough to sustain manual labor are gathered under the "tributo" system whereby they would have to work for free for the Spanish government, where they were tasked to build everything from cobblestone streets, the felling of trees for new government buildings and other projects. The women also have their share of work. Besides tending to their vegetable gardens or tumana, they were conscripted to work as household help for the local political elite.
The Filipinos worked non stop in the plantations and homes of the ruling Spaniards. Nonetheless, when the annual Christmas season would begin, it was customary to hold novenas around the entire country. The friars and the priests saw that the people, although tired and numb from work, wanted to hear the word of the Lord, even before toiling out in the fields yet again. As a compromise, the clergy began to hold Mass early dawn when the land would still be dark, a break in tradition prevalent in Spain and her Latin American colonies.
Filipinos came by the countless multitudes and afterwards, it became a distinct feature in Philippine culture to celebrate Holy Mass at such a rather early time.
Trivia
During the Spanish and early American regime, and as with farm workers in every countryside, the parishioners would mostly have nothing to give during the Offertory of the Holy Mass except sacks of rice, fruits and vegetables and fresh eggs. These were graciously accepted by the friars, who, after the Holy Mass, would share the bountiful produce in front of them with the rest of the parishioners while keeping a small portion for the church.To this day, local delicacies are readily available for the parishioners as they step out of the churches. Latik
Latik
Latík refers to two different ingredients in Philippine cuisine. In the north it refers to solid coconut curds, the byproducts of coconut oil production, used as garnishing for a variety of desserts...
and Yema
Yema
Yema is a watchmaking company in Besançon, France. They claim that their watches "stand out from the rest by virtue of their specific design and technological characteristics"....
candies are sold to children. Biscuits like Uraro, Barquillos, Lengua de Gato and Otap
Otap
Utap is an oval-shaped puff pastry in the Philippines, especially common in Cebu where it originated. It is usually created from a combination of flour, shortening, coconut, and sugar. In order to achieve the distinctive texture of the pastry, it much undergo a two-stage baking process....
are also sold. Cafe Barako (a very strong coffee grown and ground in the tradition of the province of Batangas
Batangas
Batangas is a first class province of the Philippines located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region. Its capital is Batangas City and it is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna to the north and Quezon to the east. Across the Verde Island Passages to the south is the...
) or Salabat (yellow ginger juice served hot) were the main drinks. Arroz caldo (rice and chicken porridge) and Papait (in the Ilocos
Ilocos
Ilocos collectively refers to two provinces in the Philippines: Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Inhabitants are called Ilocanos and they speak the language Iloko, also called Ilocano.The Ilocos Region, containing four provinces, is named after Ilocos...
region) soups abound. Puto bumbong, bibingka
Bibingka
Bibingka is a type of rice cake from the Philippines. It is traditionally eaten during Christmas season.-Preparation:Bibingka is made with rice flour and coconut milk or water. Other ingredients can vary greatly, but the most common secondary ingredients are eggs and milk. The traditional...
, suman
Suman
Kabir Suman is a Kolkata-based modern Bengali singer-songwriter, musician, poet, journalist, politician, TV presenter, and occasional film actor...
and other sweet rice cakes are cooked on the spot under fiery red coals.
On top of the sweets, these types of rice-based foods were traditionally served so as to fill the stomachs of the farmers a long time ago. Rice, being a cheap staple, made one's belly feel full very quickly, and is full of carbohydrates / starch, needed for the backbreaking work in the rice paddies and azucareras that the populace had to endure.
In time, Simbang Gabi became a symbol for Sharing, in both hardship and happiness, for the largely Catholic nation.
External links
- Simbang Gabi at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of ManilaRoman Catholic Archdiocese of ManilaThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila or Archdiocese of Manila is a particular Church or Diocese of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. It is also considered as the primatial see of the country, currently headed by the Archbishop of Manila and it enjoys primacy over the other dioceses in...