The document discusses the evolution of courtship practices in Tausug society, highlighting the traditional restrictions on interactions between unmarried men and women and the creative methods used for indirect courtship in the 1960s. In the 1980s, these restrictions relaxed, allowing for more direct interactions, while modern courtship now primarily occurs through texting and social media. Overall, the shift reflects broader societal changes in attitudes toward relationships and courtship norms.

1. TAUSUG’S Traditional and modern means of courtship

2. INTRODUCTION In Tausug society there is no regularly approved means by which a man can court a prospective bride; no sanctioned sequence of courtship events leading to marriage which can be freely initiated by the couple themselves. The ideal is that courtship ( pagmaya-maya , literally flirting or "fooling around") is improper, inevitably leading to premarital sex, and that only a total prohibition of any contact between unmarried persons of the opposite sex can prevent the normal human tendency to engage in sexual relations if given the opportunity. Moreover

3. While there are opportunities for young marriageable people to meet each other within the everyday life of the community, as well as during inter-community public gatherings, none of these occasions are conceptualized as having courtship as a manifest purpose. A young man cannot - and in practice does not - publicly confront an unmarried girl. His knowledge of her must be indirect, based upon reputation, parental background, and external appearance and demeanor.

4. TRADIONAL COURTSHIP 1960s: The tausug men were never allowed to court tausug women. Despite the strictness, some men back then were still able to manage to do an indirect courtship. Some men do write love letters attached to a stone and do throw them to the women’s residence.

5. Some of them stealthily go underneath houses to take a quick glimpse of their admired women. Some just do the “ligaw tingin” and “kindat” or wink. Others present their feelings in a polite and metaphorical way through Daman or tarasul.

6. HERE’S AN EXAMPLE OF DAMAN Kaddim alua hi dua Magsailu kita alua Alua mumari kaku'! Alua ku mattun kaymu, Bang adlaw aku in ha atay mu Bang dum aku in ha mata mu Iya Mikail, iya Sarapil, iya Gibrail, iya Muhammad Pasabisabilra niyu aku Katua niyu kaku' hi (ngan sin babae). Pukawa! Barakat Laillahailqulla Barakat duwa Muhammad Razurulla. Our two souls are chained Let's exchange our souls Your soul will come to me; My soul will go to you. At daytime I'm in your heart, At night time I'm in your eyes. O Michael, O Raphael, O Gabriel, O Muhammad I am inviting you To go to [name of woman]. Wake her up? God's blessings! Blessings of Muhammad!

7. 1980S Tausug ways of courtship have become less conservative during this period. Men and women were no longer strictly banned from seeing each other. Usually, the suitor escorts the girl as she walks through the streets heading towards the place where the jeepneys park. Others wait for their girls outside the classroom and invite them to go out for snacks.

8. Some of the suitors are courageous enough to go visit the ladies at home and just hang-out with them. Provided, there will be someone who will serve as their watcher.

9. MODERN COURTSHIP Everything starts with texting. Getting to know each other. Social networking sites (facebook, twitter, tumblr and etc…) liking the girls’ posts and whatnot. Going out for lunch/dinner. Movies Share load and give some gifts.

10. LIT 101-D Prepared by: Dhen Bakil Majuddin Michael Angelo Magpantay