Palawan Indigenous Peoples' Health and Culture

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Questions and Answers

What has caused traditional water habits to become unhygienic?

Increased freshwater availability

Surface water being used for drinking and cleaning (correct)

Traditional purification methods

Modern plumbing solutions

What medicinal use is attributed to Allium sativum (Garlic)?

Controlling cholesterol levels (correct)

Stimulating hair growth

Treating skin infections

Curing broken bones

Which plant is approved by the Department of Health to treat various ailments?

Malunggay

Pineapple

Tsaang Gubat (correct)

Cassava

What cultural belief emphasizes the importance of compassion among the Palawan people?

In-Gasiq Signup and view all the answers

How do the Palawan people primarily obtain carbohydrates?

Swidden cultivation of cassava Signup and view all the answers

What is believed to happen if a pregnant woman walks during certain times, such as during a rainy season?

The baby will 'melt' Signup and view all the answers

What does the word 'adag et kagurangurangan' refer to in Palawan culture?

Customs of the ancestors Signup and view all the answers

Which supernatural beings are believed by Molbogs to harm infants?

Busaw and engkanto Signup and view all the answers

What method do the Palawan people use to catch wild pigs?

Spring traps Signup and view all the answers

Which plant is known for treating conditions like malaria and diarrhea in traditional medicine?

Guava Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge in providing health care to indigenous peoples in remote areas?

Living in caves and using water buffalo for transportation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a primary health concern for indigenous peoples in Palawan?

Lack of dental care and hygiene awareness Signup and view all the answers

What dietary issue is prevalent among the indigenous tribes of Palawan?

Malnutrition due to limited food sources Signup and view all the answers

Which illness caused a notable outbreak in the Palawan region in 2011?

Cholera Signup and view all the answers

What common practice do the Palawan perform before planting crops?

Consult spirits and interpret omens Signup and view all the answers

How do many indigenous people in Palawan perceive mosquito bites?

As a punishment from evil spirits Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method of human waste disposal in coastal communities?

Disposing directly into surface water without treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is one item that certain Palawan communities collect and sell?

Resin and wild honey Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Palawan Indigenous Peoples' Health and Culture

Health Challenges: Providing healthcare in remote areas, particularly to Palawan tribes living in caves, presents significant challenges. Transportation issues (water buffalo) and limited access to hygiene (water, sanitation, handwashing) are major concerns. Malnutrition due to limited access to protein and vitamin-rich foods is also widespread.
Common Illnesses: Cholera, dengue fever, fungal skin infections (buni), and malaria are prevalent. Limited awareness of hygiene contributes to these issues. Indigenous people may attribute illnesses like mosquito bites to "evil spirits."
Traditional Practices: Palawan communities practice swidden cultivation, growing crops like cassava, sweet potato, sugarcane, and other vegetables and fruits. They also hunt and gather for sustenance. Important trading practices include 'sambi' (barter) and 'dagang' (monetary exchange). This includes exchanging marine fish for forest products.
Food Acquisition: Obtaining meat, particularly pigs, involves rituals and requests to spirit masters. Traditional ceremonies (every 7 years) aim to cleanse the environment and maintain cosmic balance. The communities harvest and sell resin, rattan, and wild honey.
Maternal and Child Health Concerns: Palawan women experience pregnancy symptoms like loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and sleepiness. Traditional beliefs related to 'bad spirits' and specific restrictions during pregnancy (nighttime outings, rain, rainbow) exist. Sexual activity during pregnancy is strictly forbidden. The Molbog tribe specifically fears particular types of spirits and their possible harm to pregnant women and newborns.

Palawan Indigenous Beliefs

Ingasiq: The principle of "compassion" governs Palawan life, emphasizing generosity and sympathy towards others.
Adet et kagurangurangan: "Customs of the ancestors" encompass ceremonies, prayers, chanting, and healing dances integral to their culture.
The Universe (Cosmological beliefs): Palawan worldview envisions a vertical universe divided into fourteen layers. Shamans (beljans) can travel to these layers to heal and restore cosmic balance.
Traditional Medicine:
- Medicinal plants like garlic (allium sativum), tsaang gubat (approved by the DOH in the Philippines for medicinal use), and guava are central to folk healing practices.

Hygiene and Sanitation

Coastal Communities: Disposal of human waste directly into surface water (drinking source) is a widespread practice in coastal settlements, affecting sanitation and hygiene.
Pollution: Increased density within the communities and stagnant surface water leads to heightened pollution, exacerbated by domestic solid and wastewater disposal (both biodegradable and non-biodegradable).

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Description

Explore the health challenges faced by the indigenous peoples of Palawan, including access to healthcare and common illnesses they encounter. Learn about their traditional practices in agriculture, trade, and how cultural beliefs influence their understanding of health. This quiz delves into the critical issues of malnutrition and hygiene in remote communities.