Presentation Schedule
An Ethnographic Study of Traditional Healers Among the Kalanguya of Tinoc, Ifugao (96928)
Session: On Demand
Room: Virtual Video Presentation
Presentation Type:Virtual Presentation
This ethnographic study, conducted in the Philippines, explores the current practices of traditional healers among the Kalanguya indigenous community in Tinoc, Ifugao. It aims to document healers who remain active, describe their areas of specialization, examine how their knowledge and skills are acquired and transmitted, and identify the informal qualifications for becoming a healer. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, direct observation, and community-based consultations. Nine traditional healers were included in the study: six mabaki (ritual specialists), two maktum (ritual and cultural facilitators), and one mapha-ak (herbal practitioner), along with five relatives who served as knowledgeable informants. The healers were found to specialize in spiritual diagnosis (ma-anap), traditional massage (hilot), protective charm-making (himek), and counseling. While some believed their healing abilities developed through personal spiritual experiences, most traced their learning to oral transmission, familial lineage, or apprenticeship under elder practitioners. No formal educational qualifications were required, but commitment, moral integrity, and strong community trust were regarded as essential. Despite the decreasing number of practitioners, traditional healing continues to play a vital role in Kalanguya cultural and spiritual life, particularly through baki or ritual offerings. The findings highlight the importance of sustaining indigenous knowledge systems and suggest that apprenticeship-based models be incorporated into Indigenous Peoples Education (IPE) programs in the Philippines to support cultural preservation and intergenerational transmission of healing traditions.
Authors:
Dante Masto Miguel, Benguet State University, Philippines
Leonora Javonillo, Benguet State University, Philippines
Agustin Jr David, Benguet State University, Philippines
Albert Jr Bolcio, Benguet State University, Philippines
About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Dante M. Miguel is an Associate Professor V at the College of Teacher Education, Benguet State University.
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