The Wedding Dance, a short story by Amador Daguio, is one of the most intriguing and mesmerizing tales I have ever read. It tells the story of a couple in love, who have decided to separate due to the man’s inability to have a child and his consequently requiring a male heir for his family. Lumnay, the woman in question, is devastated but eventually realizes that this is the harsh reality of life. She tries to move on but her love for Awiyao, the man she loves, never fades. This blog post will delve deeper into the story and focus on what happened to Lumnay in the Wedding Dance.
The Setting
The story is set in a small village in the Cordillera Mountains of the Philippines. The community is mainly made up of the Kalinga people, known for their unique way of life and traditions. The Wedding Dance takes place during the wedding season, which is a time when everyone in the community is happy and joyful, enjoying the festivities that come with such an occasion. The village is filled with the sounds of gongs and drums, and the people wear their best clothes and adorn themselves with beautiful accessories made from beads, shells, and feathers.
The Characters
The main character of the story is Lumnay, a strong-willed woman who is deeply in love with Awiyao. She is described as being “round and soft”, and though she is not beautiful according to traditional standards, she exudes a certain charm and grace that makes her attractive to the people around her. Awiyao, on the other hand, is described as being tall and muscular, with a fierce and determined look in his eyes. He is the object of Lumnay’s love and affection, and even though they cannot be together, she still yearns for him.
The Plot
The story begins with Lumnay weaving a blanket for her future son, even though she knows that she will never have a child with Awiyao. The couple has been married for seven years, and their inability to have a child has become the main reason for their separation. Awiyao tells Lumnay that he needs a male heir to carry on his family name, and even though he still loves her, he must leave her and marry a woman who can give him a son.
On the night of the wedding dance, Lumnay decides to attend even though she knows that Awiyao will be there with his new wife. She tries to avoid him, hiding in the shadows and watching from a distance. She sees him dancing with his new wife, but instead of feeling hurt or jealous, she remembers the good times they shared and realizes that she must move on.
The climax of the story occurs when Awiyao sees Lumnay and tries to involve her in the dance. Lumnay tries to resist, but Awiyao tells her that he still loves her and that he wants her to be happy. He even suggests that they run away together, but Lumnay knows that this is impossible. She tells him that she cannot leave the village because it is her home and that she must accept the reality of their situation.
The story ends with Lumnay walking away from the wedding dance, choosing to return to the farm where she and Awiyao once worked together. She remembers the time they spent there, planting beans and discussing their future. Though she is alone now, she knows that her love for Awiyao will never die.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Wedding Dance is a poignant and heart-wrenching tale of love and loss. Lumnay, the main character of the story, is a strong and resilient woman who must come to terms with the fact that she cannot be with the man she loves. Even though she is heartbroken, she knows that she must move on and that she will always carry a piece of Awiyao with her. This story is a powerful reminder that love is never easy, and that sometimes we must make sacrifices in order to do what is best for ourselves and the people we care about.
FAQ
What was the only thing that Lumnay asked for Awiyao to keep?
In the story “The Wedding Dance” by Amador Daguio, Lumnay is depicted as a loyal and loving wife who is deeply attached to her husband Awiyao. However, their marriage was on the brink of ending because of Lumnay’s inability to bear a child. As the story progresses, Awiyao has to leave Lumnay to marry another woman who could bear his children. Before leaving, Lumnay asked Awiyao to keep one precious object with him.
The object of Lumnay’s desire was her precious beads worth twenty fields. Lumnay’s love towards Awiyao is portrayed through these beads. The beads symbolize their love story, and Lumnay’s request for Awiyao to keep them is an indication that she wants him to hold on to their love even though they cannot be together.
It is important to note that Lumnay’s request for Awiyao to keep the beads is an act of bravery as a woman. Since the object is valuable, her request represents not only the value of their love but also of her own self-worth. Through her request, she shows her self-confidence and independence, which is commendable.
Lumnay’S only request for Awiyao to keep the precious beads worth twenty fields symbolizes the value of their love story and the bravery of Lumnay in valuing her own worth. The beads stand as a reminder of their love that Lumnay still carries in her heart even though Awiyao has moved on with another woman.
