Pamahiin sa Kamatayan Katutubong Konsepto ng mga Taclobanon

This study strived to gather and analyze the Taclobanon’s beliefs and cultural values associated with death. The researcher used the ethnographic research design and conducted the study in the City of Tacloban, located in the Nothern part of Leyte. Purposive sampling was used in determining the informants of the study based on the following: (a) age: 55 years old and above, (b) native Taclobanon, (c) length of residence in Tacloban. The results of the study showed that Taclobanon have basis on signs of death through the sounds and movements of animals, insects, and others such as butterflies, dogs, owls, hawks, crows, lice, and lizards. It also includes dreams about snakes, fish, candles, coffins, teeth, water, and a sailboat without a “katig”. Other signs associated with death are known to the natives of Tacloban as pagbabalo (where objects that have fallen are given interpretation related to death), gin-iirasan (a feeling of discomfort), kulba (a feeling of nervousness), and pangamoy (someone’s sense of smell). The natives also follow some “bulong”, an act of whispering to a person’s body during the curse of healing and manipulation to prevent death. In terms of the cultural values, physical dimension is being associated by the Taclobanon through the unnatural movements and sounds of animals and insects. In this study, it can be seen how the natives use inner senses through dreams, intuition, and sensations. In addition, the “bulong” is being associated in the spiritual dimension as a curse to death. The social dimension also includes caring for relatives as seen in reminders to curse death.

Keywords: superstitious, death, Taclobanon