
Betel leaf, a quarter of areca nut and tobacco.

Tausug man showing off his tongue reddened by the betel leaf+areca nut+tobacco concotion
But just when I was to arrive at that place, I came into a mini store where some men were talking. I would’ve passed by quickly but seeing that one was rolling a leaf with something in it, I got curious. And asked if it was nga-nga (for betel nut chewing). And he answered yes, smiling, and glancing at my camera.
Betel nut chewing is Asia wide and in the Philippines, its found from north to south and in many tribes. In Banaue, I tried this one with lime but no tobacco and children even start chewing. In areas where betel chewing is a habit and a tradition, it is common to see some areas in the ground colored red with spit reddened by the concoction.

A purse specifically for the chewing paraphernalia

Rolling the betel leaf for chewing
The Tausug man offered me some but due to time constraint, I had to decline but offered to photograph him. He obliged.
Ang Langyaw’s trip made possible by Airphilexpress, the fastest growing budget airline in the Philippines!
guess this is a good alternative when one needs a nicotine fix…no harm done to the lungs. ingenious Filipinos!
Betel chewing is Asia wide. Unfortunately, there are chemicals in the mixture that are carcinogens and betel chewing can be a source of oral cancer.
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