When you come to the Philippines and are invited to a "kamayan" party, you should prepare that there will be no eating tools and dishes. Kamayan is a traditional Filipino party with huge amounts of food served on a table without any dishes or anything to keep, except for large banana leaves. You will be surprised when the white rice, meat as well as the side dishes are displayed on the table covered with banana leaves in a "generous" way, and the diners will sit around this table and enjoy the dishes with ... their bare hands. This is also a popular way of eating for Filipinos before the 16th century. Currently, Filipinos all use spoons and forks in their daily eating, but they still prefer traditional eating way on special occasions like parties, ceremonies or celebrations. Sometimes, family members will organize traditional eating way to show national pride. For Filipinos, this way of eating represents the most original connection to the dishes that play a role in nourishing them, just as Mother Earth nourished dishes.
The word "kamayan" can both be used to describe the act of eating with bare hands and the name of traditional Filipino parties. The kamayan party is usually a party with family where people sit side by side and gather around the large banana leaves assembled. There are almost no special requirements and restrictions on the dishes that appear in the party, but as unwritten rules, kamayan dishes are usually grilled, fried foods served with rice (due to not using dishes and eating tools). However, there are also cases where soups, stews with water served as side dishes, and these are the only exception to being "specially" kept in bowls. This is a traditional way of eating and a cultural beauty of Filipinos, is an active to promote family values, as well as a place for unknown people to make friends, a place where acquaintances can be much closer. For Filipinos, eating and giving food to one another is a gesture of showing love most directly. People can sit together for hours at kamayan parties and spend time to know each other, communicate and talk to each other. Some even think that the best friendships are born in kamaya. When being invited to eat kamayan, make sure you wash your hands well, and try to remember to use only one hand (dominant hand) to pick up and put food in your mouth, as the other hand will be reserved for drinking water or cleaning. When picking up food, use your fingertips to take the food and do not put it in your palm. Source: Kenh14 #$gnal$#