Language is the heart of a culture, any culture. As my awareness and understanding of Cebuano culture grows, I have the privilege of observing behaviors that, at times, delight me. Other times the things I observe astound me, but whichever reaction is elicited I'm consistently learning.
I began to observe that if I greeted someone without wishing them a Good Morning (or afternoon, or evening, depending on the time of day) they would find a way to stick the phrase into the conversation, either at the end or beginning. No matter how short the conversation or how trivial the topic, there was usually a Good Morning it is somewhere-- even over text message! At first I thought this was funny. Then I began to realize I was offending people by not starting off the conversation that way.
From what I can tell, Good Morning or "Maayong Buntag" is almost like a wish or a prayer for someone's day and life. And if you don't say it, it is almost disrespectful. If you don't like someone, you talk to them without letting them hear that you wish well for them. It's the same when you leave someone. You say Take Care or "Ayow Ayow" as you are leaving, as a genuine wish and prayer for them as they leave.
But my favorite part of this tradition is when people pray. Many times, they will begin the prayer by saying "Lord... Good Morning Lord." And it has such an intimate quality about it that I often smile when I hear someone pray that way. It's like saying "Lord, I love you and respect you and want you to know that I would never come to you or ask anything from you if you didn't already know that."
It makes me think I should tell God "Good Morning" more often.
 |
Early Morning in Pasil, Cebu
Photo Credit: Amy Collins |
