Illness Etiology in Philippine Folk Medicine

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Questions and Answers

What is considered the dominant theme in the diagnosis of illness among the peoples of the Mountain Province?

Soul loss (correct)

Genetic predispositions

Physical injuries

Environmental factors

Who is believed to have originally been humans that developed supernatural powers?

Encantos

Agta

Asuwang (correct)

Kalaloa

Which group of spirits is responsible for causing disease in eastern Samar?

Tunanon

Agta (correct)

Kalaloa

Encantos

What is a common belief about the origin of sickness as mentioned in the content?

Evil spirits Signup and view all the answers

What role do 'fallen angels' play in the belief system surrounding illness as described?

They are thought to be the cause of pain and suffering Signup and view all the answers

What does the kulaman group's belief attribute to the cause of illness?

Desire of kalaloa to leave its abode Signup and view all the answers

In the belief system outlined, who are the encantos thought to be?

Spirits residing in trees and rivers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following agents is NOT mentioned as a cause of illness in the content?

Environmental changes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor determining who can become a local herbalist?

Linahe or descent Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT typically associated with the local medical specialists?

Pharmaceutical prescriptions Signup and view all the answers

What did Diansa place on top of the man's head?

Seven slices of ginger Signup and view all the answers

What condition was the man suffering from according to Diansa?

A burugtang Signup and view all the answers

How long does the training for babaylnaship among the Sulod typically last?

Seven months to several years Signup and view all the answers

How long was the juice kept in the banana leaf before it was opened?

Thirty minutes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following roles does the local specialist NOT fulfill in their community?

Educational instructor Signup and view all the answers

What did Diansa instruct the spirits to form as a representation of their origin?

A butterfly or turtle-like figure Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the training process to become a baylan?

Baratakan Signup and view all the answers

What type of illnesses does the local medical specialist typically address?

Prenatal and postnatal care Signup and view all the answers

What can happen to the man if the burugtang is not removed?

He might die Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics is common among local medical specialists in the community?

They are generally older men and women. Signup and view all the answers

What did Diansa do with the man's middle finger during the ritual?

She held it and felt his pulse Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential aspect of the specialist’s function regarding community rituals?

They participate in ceremonies related to rites of passage. Signup and view all the answers

What type of spirits are involved in the burugtang according to Diansa?

Angered environmental spirits Signup and view all the answers

How did Diansa communicate with the spirits during the ritual?

By murmuring an unintelligible prayer Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary role of the student babaylan in the context of folk medicine?

Assisting the chief babaylan Signup and view all the answers

During the Sanguban phase of training, what is primarily taught to the student?

Recognition of medicinal plants Signup and view all the answers

What type of offering does a student make to their chief spirit protector during the Hangdugan phase?

A black chicken Signup and view all the answers

Who are the ancestral deities that the student learns about in their training?

Past babaylan and skilled practitioners Signup and view all the answers

What context is important for various folk medicine practices as indicated in the material?

Cultural implications Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the hesitation in rural folks to accept modern medical practices?

Cultural orientation and established folk beliefs Signup and view all the answers

Which term do rural folks use to refer to modern medicine?

Parmasiyutica Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between folk practices and scientific medicine in rural communities?

There is often competition and divergence in belief Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the 'common-sense' attitude mentioned?

A selective principle guiding cultural beliefs Signup and view all the answers

What role does the supernatural play in traditional folk practices, according to the observations?

It approves the use of established traditional formulas Signup and view all the answers

Why might modern medical practitioners face challenges in rural settings?

Patients prefer to consult herbalists first Signup and view all the answers

How do folk practices influence the acceptance of scientific medicine?

They generate a cautious approach towards modern treatments Signup and view all the answers

What is often the first choice for medical assistance in rural communities?

Herbalists Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Illness Etiology and Folk Medicine in the Philippines

Soul Loss: A dominant theme in explaining illness and death across the Mountain Province.
- Ifugao: Illness occurs when the soul is taken by the betraying god to the Skyworld.
- Kulaman: Sickness can be caused by evil spirits or the desire of the kalaloa (soul) to leave the body.
Evil Spirits: Play a significant role, often tied to environmental forces.
- Encantos: Fallen angels inhabiting trees, rivers, and earth.
- Tubig-non: River and ocean spirits.
- Cahoynon: Tree spirits.
- Asuwang: Witches, originally humans who gained supernatural powers.
Sorcerers: May cast charms to make people sick.
Disease Agents: Initially considered fallen angels, doomed to follow Lucifer after his expulsion from Heaven.
- Origin of Asuwang: Humans who developed supernatural powers.
- Agta: Tiny, dark-skinned, hair-covered environmental spirits considered responsible for disease in Eastern Samar.

Specialist Roles in Healing and Rituals

Local Specialists: Known by various names (sirkano, surhano, baylan, haplasan, tambalan, mananambal) and serve as health custodians.
- Responsibilities: Interpret dreams, diagnose illnesses, and perform rites of passage ceremonies.
- Training: Often involves rigorous learning of herbal medicine and rituals.
- Becoming a Specialist: Dependent on lineage and the choice of environmental spirits.
Midwife (Partira): Called for prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care.
Hilot: Practices massage therapy for sprains and broken limbs.
Tambalan, Sirkano, Baylan: Called for complex illnesses.
Baylan (Sulod People of Panay): A spiritual leader whose training involves a multi-year process.
- Training Steps:
  - Baratakan: Apprenticeship with spirit-protectors and spirit-friends.
  - Sanguban: Learning medicinal plants and illness symptoms caused by different spirits.
  - Hangdugan: First offering to the chief spirit-protector.
  - Learning Ancestral Deities: Emphasizing those who were successful babaylan, hunters, fishermen, and farmers.

Cultural Perspectives on Western Medicine

Modern Medicine: Seen as effective but foreign to the cultural orientation of many rural Filipinos.
- "Parmasiyutica": Name for medicine bought from towns, perceived as effective but lacking a cultural reference point.
- Folk Practices: Seen as established, traditional, and sanctioned by supernatural beings.
Competition: Exists between folk and modern medicine due to divergent views on their effectiveness.

Societal Implications of Folk Medicine

Cultural Context: Folk practices are deeply embedded in cultural context, influencing medical choices.
Herbolario: Often preferred for medical assistance over doctors or nurses.
"Common-Sense" Attitude: Acts as a cultural filter, determining the acceptance of scientific medicine.

Observations on Folk Medicine and Scientific Medicine

Connections: Exist between folk practices, scientific medicine, and the specific cultural context.
Cultural Sieve: Acts as a selective principle for accepting or rejecting new medical approaches.

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Description

Explore the intricate beliefs surrounding illness and death in the Philippines, particularly within the Mountain Province. This quiz delves into the concepts of soul loss, evil spirits, and the role of sorcerers, providing insights into how these elements shape local understanding of health and disease.