On
Pinanari

Did you know that the Kapampángan word for “rainbow” literally means “king’s loincloth”? As we end Pride Month, let’s take a look at one of the most etymologically interesting words in Kapampángan!


PINANÁRÎ • (pi-nuh-NAH-ree’)
rainbow
Tagálog (Filipino): bahaghárì


Etymology
Pinanárî literally means “king’s/sun’s loincloth” (parallel to Tagálog (Filipino) bahaghari) and is a compound of:


pináng “loincloth” (Tagálog: bahág)
+
árî “king” (old meaning: “sun”) (Tagalog: hárì)


You may want to read:

  • PHILIPPINE CREATION MYTH: Mindanao-Bagobo