Pammati
Beliefs are the tenets or convictions that people hold to be true. Individuals in a society have specific beliefs, but they also share collective values. Ilocanos have some superstitious beliefs on marriage, pregnancy, death and burial.
PREGNANCY
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Inaw. The fruits that she eats provide clues to the child's appearance. If she eats twin bananas, she will give birth to twins. If she eats lots of coconuts, her child will have a fair skin.
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Sidor. This is said to relieve the mother’s pains and reposition the displaced uterus using a bowl of hot coals.
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Panagdalagan. It is the mother's fifteen to twenty-day rest.
MARRIAGE
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Panagasawa or marriage to the Ilocano is but a reaffirmation of the man and woman's gasat (fate). It is considered a sacred partnership which lasts until the death of either partner.
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Panagpudno. Once the couple decides to marry, the boy informs the girl's parents about their plans. The Ilocanos have high respect to their parents, whichis absolutely evident in their marriage traditions.
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Padaya. ​The padaya is a lavish wedding feast which also serves as an occasion for the renewal of family ties and loyalties. This practice enhances community life with the involvement of the neighbors in all the preparations.
DEATH AND BURIAL
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Atong. It is the burning of a piece of wood placed in front of the dead’s house. This announces a death to spirits and the living alike. The fire is left burning for theduration of the wake.
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Atang. It is a traditional food offering for the Ilocanos to ward off evil spirits.
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Panagdung-aw. It is the wailing and lamenting during the wake. Family members do this to express their grief anguish, and pain.
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Before the coffin is taken out of the house, a rooster or a hen is beheaded and thrown out into the yard opposite the stairs.
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The clothes and other paraphernalia are buried with the dead. This is also done so that the soul will not come back for his precious possessions.
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The following day, immediate relatives do the (hair shampoo) in the river to wash away any power of the spirit of the dead.
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Every night for nine nights, a lualo (prayer) is offered for the dead. On the ninth night, an umras is prepared.
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On a table is placed 12 plates full of native cakes and delicacies like patupat, linapet; busi, kaskaron, baduya; and two fried chickens.