Philippine Villagers Show Devotion to St. John the Baptist with Mud Smearing Tradition 2024-06-24

In the early hours of the morning in Bibiclat, a village in the northern Philippines, villagers gather in the rice fields to show their devotion to St. John the Baptist. Using only the light from their cellphones to guide them through the darkness, devout Catholics make their way into the fields. They search for areas where carabaos bathe, as the mud there is softer and easier to smear on their bodies. This ritual is a way for the villagers to demonstrate their faith and reverence for St. John the Baptist.

bathe Bibiclat bodies carabaos Catholics cellphones darkness devotion mud northern Philippines Philippine villagers rice fields smear mud softer area.St. John the Baptist

What is the significance of smearing mud on their bodies for the villagers in Bibiclat?

The villagers smear mud on their bodies as a way to show devotion to St. John the Baptist.

Why do the villagers venture into the fields before daybreak?

The villagers venture into the fields before daybreak to find an area where carabaos bathe, as the mud is softer there for them to smear on their bodies.

How do the villagers navigate through the darkness in the fields?

The villagers use only the light from their cellphones to cut through the darkness in the fields.

Philippine Villagers Show Devotion to St. John the Baptist with Mud Smearing Tradition

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