The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 16 of 55: 1609; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century
History
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 16 of 55: 1609; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century
Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources
Instead of olives and other pickled fruit, they have a green fruit,
like walnuts, which they call _paos_. [100] Some are small, and others
larger in size, and when prepared they have a pleasant taste. They also
prepare _charas_ [101] in pickle brine, and all sorts of vegetables
and greens, which are very appetizing. There is much ginger, and it
is eaten green, pickled, and preserved. There are also quantities
of _cachumba_ [102] instead of saffron and other condiments. The
ordinary dainty throughout these islands, and in many kingdoms of
the mainland of those regions, is _buyo_ [betel]. This is made from
a tree, [103] whose leaf is shaped like that of the mulberry. The
fruit resembles an oak acorn, and is white inside. [104] This fruit,
which is called _bonga_, is cut lengthwise in strips, and each strip is
put into an envelope or covering made from the leaf. With the _bonga_
is thrown in a powder of quick lime. [105] This compound is placed
in the mouth and chewed. It is so strong a mixture, and burns so
much, that it induces sleep and intoxication. It burns the mouths of
those not used to it, and causes them to smart. The saliva and all
the mouth are made as red as blood. It does not taste bad. After
having been chewed [106] for a considerable time it is spit out,
when it no longer has any juice, which is called capa [sapa]. They
consider very beneficial that quantity of the juice which has gone
into the stomach, for strengthening it, and for various diseases. It
strengthens and preserves the teeth and gums from all inflammations,
decay, and aches. They tell other wonderful effects of it. What has
been seen is that the natives and Spaniards--laymen and religious,
men and women--use it so commonly and generally that mornings and
afternoons, at parties and visits, and even alone in their houses,
all their refreshments and luxuries consist of buyos served on
heavily-gilded and handsomely adorned plates and trays like chocolate
in Nueva Espana. In these poison has been often administered from
which the persons eating them have died, and that quite commonly.
The natives (especially the chiefs) take whenever they leave their
houses, for show and entertainment, their boxes of buyos--which they
call _buccetas_ [107]--ready to use, and the leaf, _bonga_, and quick
lime, separately. With these handsome boxes, which are made of metal
and of other materials, they carry the scissors and other tools for
making the buyo with cleanliness and neatness. Wherever they may stop,
they make and use their buyo. In the parians, or bazars, buyos are
sold ready made, and the outfit for making them. [108]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account