The Last Princess

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Recently,I watched on Youtube,my favorite documentary program.The episode was about the indigenous tribes in Panay Island,which is located in the Philippines.The said docu was aired on TV,16 years ago.The story revolved on a woman,whom they called''The Last Princess'' (Binukot in their local dialect) of their tribe.The said woman told how she became or chose to be the Princess.She said that whoever is the most beautiful in their family will be the chosen one.Their family was highest in the community,where her father was a Datu that time.She said she was less than 10 years of age when she became the Princess,and during the said story was documented,she was already in her 70's(2004).I don't know now,if she is stil alive.She said being a ''Binukot'' was good.She lives in a simple house,made of Nipa hut,located in the top of the mountain,where before you reached the place,you have to climb,walked,trekking 7 mountains and crossed many rivers.And you will wonder,there was a princess,but you can't see castle or kingdom.Just a simple house.The Binukot,wasn't allowed to have their self to feel the sunshine,because she might have tanned skin.She was not allowed to walked,everytime she goes out of the house for a ceremony.She must seat in hammock,carried by men,up to the place she into,covered by veil.She always stayed inside her room,so no one will see her.She doesn't attained formal education.Her parents only taught her the ethnic dance and the epic songs,which ca' be heard only on special ceremonies of their tribe,like weddingsSpeaking of wedding,they can't also choosed the man they will marry,only her parents will.They said the epic song is too long,it will took two months before this song ends,amazing!Maybe they had a short version for this for every occassion. In the other tribe,there was also a Princesses,but younger ones.Their tribe chose them so that their culture will not extinct.This time,these Kids,goes to school everyday,and weekends they must learn the epic songs and dances.The tribe leader built a school with the help of cultural institute by the government,so that the culture must be preserve for future generations. They were women in other tribe,chose not to be a Princess or Binukot.Instead They chose the life they wanted.Life that was more simple and not complicated,and have freedom.Free to go out,feel the sun,walked,go wherever they want,and most importantly they had freedom for education,and marry the man they love. I am amazed with this documentary.A so called Princess but looks liked a prison,having chains,no freedom.That was the reason,on their tribe,She will be the last Princess,because no one wanted to experience the kind of life she had.