Text:

Collector: “What is one tradition that has stuck with you throughout the years that you would consider unique to your culture?”

Informant: “Do you mean my culture as in being Filipino?”

Collector: “Sure, what is something that you feel is a uniquely Filipino tradition?”

Informant: “I would say the money dance”

Collector: “How would you describe the money dance to someone who hasn’t heard of it before?”

Informant: “Well, the money dance happens at a wedding ceremony. The bride and groom both have guests standing in line in front of them. The guests will then pin their cash offerings onto the newlyweds and they do a short simple dance with either the bride or groom. It can be spontaneous too. Sometimes the bride and groom will be on the dance floor and whoever wants to jump in can.”

Collector: “Can anyone dance with either the bride or groom?”

Informant: “Normally it’s the male guests who dance with the bride and the female guests with the groom”

Collector: “Why do we do the money dance at weddings?”

Informant: “It is supposed to be a symbol to bid good fortune to the newlyweds. It also can be seen as a gift to contribute to the couple’s future.”

Context:

The informant’s relationship to this piece is she is my grandmother who has gone to many Filipino weddings where the “money dance” has taken place. My grandmother is unsure of where she has heard this information because she claims that this has always just been a part of Filipino culture. She believes that this is a fun way to gift newlyweds who are about to start their lives together. 

Analysis:

The ‘money dance’ is a Filipino wedding tradition that blends celebration with cultural values of community support and well-wishing. Unlike typical wedding gift-giving, which is often done privately, this practice makes financial contributions a visible and interactive part of the celebration. By pinning money onto the bride and groom while dancing, guests publicly express their blessings and contribute to the couple’s future in a joyful and symbolic way. 

This tradition reflects key aspects of Filipino culture such as generosity, communal support, and the importance of family and social bonds. Filipino society places a strong emphasis on ‘Bayanihan’, the spirit of helping one another, which is evident in how wedding guests actively participate in ensuring the newlyweds have a prosperous start to their marriage. The dance itself also adds a layer of festivity, reinforcng the idea that financial support does not need to be transactional by can instead be a shared, celebratory experience.