Filipinos have a unique cultural mannerism that has intrigued and puzzled many observers - the act of pointing with their mouths. This peculiar gesture, known as "nguso," involves puckering the lips and moving them in the direction one wants to indicate. It is a fascinating aspect of Filipino culture that has sparked curiosity and led to various theories about its origin and significance. In this blog, let's explore the reasons behind this distinctive behavior, exploring its historical, cultural, and social contexts.
The Act of Mouth-Pointing
Mouth-pointing, or "nguso," is a common movement used by Filipinos to indicate a physical direction or to signal someone to look at something. It is not a static motion but rather involves a three-step process. According to Camilla Camacho, a 26-year-old post-graduate medical intern in the Philippines, the first part of nguso is lifting the eyebrows. Simultaneously, the lips pout in the direction one is signaling, and the chin tilts up. This dynamic movement may be accompanied by a muffled sound resembling a quiet moan.
The Universality of Mouth-Pointing
While mouth-pointing is often associated with Filipinos, it is not unique to their culture. Similar gestures can be found in other cultures around the world. For example, the Yoruba people in western Africa, the Arrernte people in Australia, and the Laos culture also utilize variations of mouth-pointing to supplement head-pointing. In some cases, such as among the Yupno people in Papua New Guinea, the lips signal direction where finger-pointing is considered taboo. This universality suggests that pointing with the mouth has cultural and anthropological significance beyond the Filipino context.
Theories on the Origin of Mouth-Pointing
Filipinos have developed various theories to explain the origin of mouth-pointing. One theory suggests that it stems from the pronunciation of the Tagalog word "doon," which means "there." The pouting of the lips during mouth-pointing is believed to mimic the shape of the mouth when pronouncing the word. Another theory posits that mouth-pointing originated from the necessity of farmers who had their hands full and could not use their hands to point. Instead, they used their mouths as a practical alternative.
Cultural and Historical Significance
To understand the cultural and historical significance of mouth-pointing, it is essential to consider the broader context of Filipino communication and social norms. The Filipino communication style is often indirect, emphasizing avoiding a loss of face and evoking "hiya," a sense of shyness, shame or embarrassment. Filipinos tend to communicate diplomatically and with humility to prevent appearing arrogant. This indirect communication style is reflected in the use of mouth-pointing as a non-verbal way to convey messages without directly stating them.
Non-Verbal Communication in Filipino Culture
Non-verbal communication plays a crucial role in Filipino culture, complementing verbal interactions and providing additional layers of meaning. Filipinos are attentive to posture, expression, and tone of voice to draw meaning from conversations. Speech is often ambiguous, and Filipinos may use the passive voice instead of the active voice to avoid sounding harsh or confrontational. To fully understand the intended message, seeking clarification multiple times during a conversation is common.
Conclusion
The act of pointing with the mouth, known as "nguso," is a unique cultural mannerism in Filipino society. It is a non-verbal gesture reflecting the indirect communication style and cultural values of respect and politeness. Mouth-pointing is just one aspect of the rich tapestry of Filipino communication, where non-verbal cues, ambiguous speech, and attentiveness to social norms play vital roles. Understanding the cultural and historical significance of mouth-pointing, we can gain deeper insights into Filipino culture and enhance our cross-cultural interactions.