07/05/2023
☀️ PÚTUNG (noun | Kapampángan) - the crown put on the head; “Magputung,” to put on, or wear a crown. “Pitunğan,” on whom the crown was placed.**
🇲🇱 In precolonial Lúsung, a crown is not inherited. It was endowed and bestowed upon by the people. It necessitates one’s higher responsibility to serve the people.
☀️ In fact, there’s a deeper Kapampángan wisdom on how to properly wear/carry a crown so that it doesn’t easily fall off one’s head, both physically and metaphorically.
Ing Pútung ning Árî
é ya karing Dungû,
at karing Palálû.
Mabalag ya iti,
Pótang dínukú ka,
at tínalangá ka.
or
Ining pútung na ning Lakan,
É ya dápat karing sagan,
Ampó karéning lamaran,
Iti mabaldug yápin man,
Pótang línáwé ka lálam,
Ó inapná mé yang kanuan.
It's not that easy to explain it in English, but I'll give it a shot:
🇲🇱 To wear a Pútung is to rule with wisdom and balance. One must not be weak, but one must also not be a tyrant.
👑 Wearing a crown symbolizes power and authority, but it's important not to get too attached to it or be consumed by its prestige. The true value of the crown lies in responsibility and leadership that come with it. It's important not to stoop too low and compromise one's integrity or values for the sake of power or recognition. At the same time, it's important not to think too highly of oneself and avoid being consumed by the blinding allure of power and tyranny. The wisdom lies in using our position and influence for the greater good while staying grounded in the service of our people.
📖 **Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga en Romance, Fray Diego Bergaño, 1732 (Translation by Fr. Venancio C. Samson)
📸: .y