Rice Dance (sort of)

It’s that time again here on Palawan when the rice is being harvested. Once cut, the rice has to be separated from the plant. This is often done with a big thresher machine, but we decided to do it a bit differently this year – and what you see in the picture is the traditional way to thresh the rice, called a Giikan (pronounced ge-ik-an). 

Years ago this would have been a common sight, now it's not done much. We decided to give it a go and let the kids (and all of us) try the traditional way, which is still remembered by a lot of locals. It is a raised platform about seven feet above the ground, made of a wooden frame and bamboo slats with gaps between to allow the rice to fall below. This is to allow airflow, as the wind helps to sort the rice. The rice hull with rice in is heavier and falls straight to the ground bellow. The rice hull without rice inside is lighter and is blown to the side.

The process starts with the rice (still attached to the plant) being lifted up on to the platform. There, the work is done by foot... the rice plant is stamped on, twisted and squashed under and between the feet to separate the rice from the plant. It all looks like some kind of strange dance on a high stage but it is great fun and a good team exercise! The rice is then sieved to remove any other parts of the plant that may have fallen down as well. 

Before it’s ready to cook, it just needs to be dried and ground to remove the rice hull. Then it is ready to be enjoyed by everyone three times a day – because rice is the staple diet here and comes with every meal.

To see more pictures, click here!