Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region XIII-CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SURIGAO DEL SUR
CARRASCAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Nat’l. Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

IV. SCOPE & LIMITATION

The research study was conducted at Pantukan, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur,

Philippines as shown in Figure 1. Pantukan is located in the region of Surigao del

Sur in the island of Mindanao. The distance at these coordinates is about 641.4

meters or 2,104.3 feet above mean sea level. Pantukan one of the barangay in the

municipality of Carrascal, province of Surigao del Sur. Its population was estimated

at 737 people determined by the 2015 Census survey. This represented 3.28% of

the total population of Carrascal.

The Municipality of Carrascal is recognized as the 4th class municipality in the

province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a

population of 22,479 people. Carrascal is divided into 14 barangay and barangay

Pantukan is included. The rest are Adlay, Babuyan, Bacolod, Baybay (Poblacion),

Bon-ot, Caglayag, Dahican, Doyos (Poblacion), Embarcadero (Poblacion), Gamuton,

Panikian, Pantukan, Saca (Poblacion), and Tag-Anito.

Address: National Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Telephone No.: 212-8020
E-mail Address: 304877@deped.gov.ph
FB Page: Carrascal National High School
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XIII-CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SURIGAO DEL SUR
CARRASCAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Nat’l. Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Figure 1. Location map of Barangay Pantukan,

Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, Philippines

Address: National Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Telephone No.: 212-8020
E-mail Address: 304877@deped.gov.ph
FB Page: Carrascal National High School
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XIII-CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SURIGAO DEL SUR
CARRASCAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Nat’l. Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

V. METHODOLOGY

This study used an ethnographic qualitative type of research which includes

direct observation, video recordings, photography, sketches, interviews, and focused

group discussions, and where researchers interact with a study’s participants in

their real-life environment. It was launch by an entry protocol asking consent from

both the local officials of Patukan, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, and the Manobo

elders through the Takusajan (tribe decision-maker). The rituals are observed and

documented through notes, videos, and photographs and equipped through follow-

up questions during the focused group discussion (FGD). Persons involved in the

FGD are the Baylan (healer), the Datu (tribal chieftain), two (2) leaders of the

dominant Manobo clans in the place, the Takusajan, and two (2) barangay officials.

The notes are then compared with the video and photographs taken by the actual

ritual and the concepts coming from the resource persons.

Address: National Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Telephone No.: 212-8020
E-mail Address: 304877@deped.gov.ph
FB Page: Carrascal National High School
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XIII-CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SURIGAO DEL SUR
CARRASCAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Nat’l. Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

VI. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

1. What are the rituals for wedding, healing and before entering the forest of

the Manobo in Patukan, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, Philippines?

a. WEDDING- Kumbiti is the term used by the Manobo tribe in Barangay

Pantukan, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur in performing ritual for wedding.

This ritual undergoes three (3) stages: before the wedding (courtship

and asking permission to the Abyan) during (wedding ceremony) and

after the wedding (Kahimunan).

b. HEALING- The Manobo tribe in Pantukan has a different way of

treating sick persons. This ritual is categorized on how critically ill

person into the following categories: mild and severe. This ritual is

called Kahimunan.

c. BEFORE ENTERING THE FOREST- Uyagdok is the term used by the

Manobo tribe in performing a ritual asking permission before entering

the forest in their area.

2. What are the materials used in these three rituals, and what are their

significance?

a. WEDDING

Before the Wedding (Asking Permission to the Abyan)

Address: National Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Telephone No.: 212-8020
E-mail Address: 304877@deped.gov.ph
FB Page: Carrascal National High School
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XIII-CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SURIGAO DEL SUR
CARRASCAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Nat’l. Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

In asking permission to the Abyan, anilow (log used as the base for the

platform), binangko (a makeshift platform or altar), minhow (young coconut

leaves) plato (plates), mam-on (Areca catechu L.), bujo (Piper betle L.), apog (citrus

aurantifolia), candle, mallorca (local wine), kendi (candy), cigarettes,

sopas (biscuits), baso (glass), baboy (native pig colore black), sunoy (native rooster

colored red), sable (sharp bolo), coins, banana leaf, cooked rice and sugba (grilled

heart, liver, and meat of the slaughtered pig) are used for the ritual. 

During the Wedding Ceremony

Sunoy (native rooster colored red), rice dough, necklace, candles, mam-on

(Areca catechu L.), apog (citrus aurantifolia), and sinugbahan (blood collected from

cutting the nail of a young chicken with a sable (sharp bolo)) are used for the ritual.

Puyo (headdress), aritis (earrings), necklace, sinanggawali (belt), and butos (anklet)

are the costume and accessories worn by the bride during the ceremony while

tebang (headpiece), sinaggawali (bakos), and saliko (T-shirt) are worn by the

groom. Gimbe (drum) and agong (gong) are used as the musical accompaniment

during kuzab (paspas) bringing live rooster fanned to each visitor, place, and the

couple to ward off bad spirits and illness to their marriage brought from the outside.

After the Wedding (Kahimunan)

The couple will celebrate their life as a married couple by having Kahimunan

(paglipay-lipay). Kahimunan includes feast and a dance. Gimbe (drum)

and agong (gong) are used as musical accompaniment during the dance. 

Address: National Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Telephone No.: 212-8020
E-mail Address: 304877@deped.gov.ph
FB Page: Carrascal National High School
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XIII-CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SURIGAO DEL SUR
CARRASCAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Nat’l. Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

3. How are the rituals performed?

a. WEDDING

Before the Wedding

The ritual begins when the baylan begins to chant the tud-om where the two

assistants are at the side and the datu (chieftain) at the back. The baylan summons

the Abyan (diety). When the Abyan enters the body of the baylan, he encounters a

seizure. The assistant baylan at that point talks the Abyan in a chant. The couple is

encouraged to offer coins at the top of the platform. Baylan will ask permission from

the Abyan and speaks the decision of the Abyan. If the decision of the Abyan is on

the positive, and after clearing out the body of the baylan, the healer then pours wine

from the glasses around the platform. At that point, two native roosters are then

prepared by the Manhinangay (assistants). The first rooster is fanned to the couple

to ward off awful spirits and ailment brought from the outside. The second rooster is

fanned to the surroundings. Then, using a sable, the native pig is stabbed at the

neck area. Some of the blood is contained on a plate and after that put on the

platform. The assistant then rubs the blood of the slaughtered pig to the minhow and

the anilow. The wine from the glass on top of the platform is given to the couple and

everyone present.

The slaughtered pig is then placed on a fire to get the fur out and poured with

hot water. Once it is clean, internal organs are taken. The left side of the animal will

Address: National Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Telephone No.: 212-8020
E-mail Address: 304877@deped.gov.ph
FB Page: Carrascal National High School
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XIII-CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SURIGAO DEL SUR
CARRASCAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Nat’l. Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

be left behind to be shared by the couple and the tribe later. Rice is cooked and the

liver and heart of the pig are grilled, or sugba. Once the sugba and luto (rice) are

cooked, rice and some grilled meat are placed on a plate and placed on the platform.

Some slices of raw meat are also placed on the platform. The assistant baylan then

covers the cooked rice on the platform with a banana leaf cut with a triangular shape.

The baylan starts to chant the tud-om once again. Then, the cooked rice and grilled

meat are distributed to the couple, to the visitors, and all the members of the tribe

present. Mallorca (local wine) is also shared as the couple and the tribe commune

with one another. This ritual is done to determine if the couple is permitted to get

married. This will also tell the day or the date of their wedding ceremony.

During the Wedding

During the day of the ceremony, the baylan serves as the marriage officiant.

The couple will be sitting on the floor of the apugan (balay alampuanan). The groom

and bride will exchange their vows by feeding rice dough to each other. The groom

feeds his bride first and the bride to her groom. After the rice dough, the couple

exchange necklaces instead of rings. For them, they believe that necklace is a sign

of devotion and an agreement between two parties to love and cherish one another

for the rest of their days. A necklace will make their married life long-lasting and full

of happiness. The baylan then starts to chant the tud- om and ends it with limpas

(blessing) from the couple’s parents. The parents will give their wishes and prayers

to the couple. The couple will then dance at the center in the apugan together with

the baylan. While the couple is dancing, the baylan performs kuzab (paspas) around

Address: National Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Telephone No.: 212-8020
E-mail Address: 304877@deped.gov.ph
FB Page: Carrascal National High School
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XIII-CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SURIGAO DEL SUR
CARRASCAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Nat’l. Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

them bringing live rooster fanned to the couple, place, and the visitors to ward off

bad spirits and illness to their marriage brought from the outside. 

After the Wedding

After the wedding ceremony, the couple together with their families will

celebrate through Kahimunan. Kahimunan has many forms, however, this type of

kahimunan is, a ritual for thanksgiving. This ritual is led by the baylan and includes a

feast and dances. Everyone is enjoined to dance. 

b. HEALING

The Manobo tribe in Pantukan has a different way to heal or treat sick persons.

This ritual is categorized on how critically ill person into the following categories:

MILD, if the illness is mild (fever, cough other mild illness), the sick/ill person will

prepare one (1) candle and one bottle (1) of Mallorca (local wine), give it to the tribal

healer, and placed it on a small platform. The Baylan starts to chant the tud-om.

After the chant, Abyan (deity) tells the Baylan if the sick person will or will not recover

or the days of the sick person’s recovery. If not, Baylan checks the pulse

(Himulsuhan) of the sick person to determine if he/ she is being bewitched or

doomed by evil spirits.

If confirmed for being doomed by evil spirits, Kahimunan follows. Kahimunan

usually is done during the full moon. However, if the illness is SEVERE and needs

emergency treatment, Kahimunan happens at any time. The ritual is held outside the

Address: National Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Telephone No.: 212-8020
E-mail Address: 304877@deped.gov.ph
FB Page: Carrascal National High School
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XIII-CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SURIGAO DEL SUR
CARRASCAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Nat’l. Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

house of a sick person. The sick person stays inside their house. The family will

prepare 5, 000 pesos as an offering. In a platform (Binangko), one (1) candle, a plato

(plate) with bujo (Piper betle L.) topped with mam-on (Areca catechu L.), one (1) ripe

mango, one ripe orange, one apple, kendi (candies), sopas (biscuits), baboy (native

pig colored black), and sunoy (native chicken colored red) are placed at the center of

the platform. Baylan then starts to chant the tud-om and dances the whole night.

Assistants Manhinangays and family members will dance as well. Abyan tells Baylan

if the sick person will recover. If not, they will stop doing the ritual. 

c. BEFORE ENTERING THE FOREST

The ritual before entering the forest happens at 6:00 a.m. Baylan prepares a

binangko. mam-on (Areca catechu L.), bujo (Piper betle L.), apog (citrus

aurantifolia), candle, mallorca (local wine), kendi (candy), cigarettes,

sopas (biscuits), baso (glass), are placed at the top of the platform. Baboy (native

pig colore black), sunoy (native rooster colored red), sable (sharp bolo), coins,

banana leaf, cooked rice and sugba (grilled heart, liver, and meat of the slaughtered

pig) are also used for the ritual. The ritual proper starts when the baylan starts to

chant the tud-om while the two assistants at the side and the datu (chieftain) at the

back. The baylan summons the Abyan (deity). When the Abyan enters the body of

the baylan, he experiences a seizure. The assistant baylan then talks to the Abyan in

a chant. The people who will enter the forest are urged to offer coins to be placed on

a white plate on top of the platform. The datu then speaks and presents the request

of the people who will enter the forest and the baylan then speaks the decision of the

Abyan. If Abyan agrees to the request, the healer then pours wine from the glasses

Address: National Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Telephone No.: 212-8020
E-mail Address: 304877@deped.gov.ph
FB Page: Carrascal National High School
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XIII-CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SURIGAO DEL SUR
CARRASCAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Nat’l. Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

around the platform.  Two native roosters are then prepared by the Manhinangay

(assistants). The first rooster is used to fanned to each visitor to ward off bad spirits

and illness brought from the outside. When all of the visitors are fanned, the second

rooster is given to the baylan. The second rooster is used to fan the surroundings.

Then, at the command of the baylan, one of the assistants will proceed to the tied

native pig and using a sable, the manhinangay stabs the pigs at the neck area.

Some of the blood contained is placed on a plate and then placed on the platform.

The assistant then rubs the blood to the minhow and the anilow. The wine from the

glass on top of the platform is given to all the visitors. 

The slaughtered pig is placed on a fire to get the fur out and poured with hot

water. Once it is clean, one of the assistants proceeds to take the right part and the

internal organs. The left side of the animal will be left behind to be shared by the

couple and the tribe later. Rice is cooked and the liver and heart of the pig are

grilled, or sugba. Once the sugba and luto (rice) are cooked, rice and some grilled

meat are placed on a plate and placed on the platform. Some slices of raw meat are

also placed on the platform. The assistant baylan then covers the cooked rice on the

platform with a banana leaf cut with a triangular shape. The baylan starts to chant

the tud-om once again. Then, the cooked rice and grilled meat are distributed to the

visitors and all the members of the tribe present. Mallorca (local wine) is also shared

as the visitors and the tribe commune with one another. 

Address: National Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Telephone No.: 212-8020
E-mail Address: 304877@deped.gov.ph
FB Page: Carrascal National High School
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XIII-CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SURIGAO DEL SUR
CARRASCAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Nat’l. Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

4. What measures are recommended to preserve the ritual for wedding,

healing, and before entering the forest of the Manobo tribe in

Pantukan, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, Philippines?

Rituals of the Manobo tribe in Pantukan, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur build

families and unites the community. These mark significant events in their lives,

expressing themselves in joy and sorrows. Most importantly, it creates and

sustains their identity. However, due to the rise of innovations, rituals of the

Manobo tribe are changing. They have adopted these changes. Many tribe

members are converting to new religions, so their wedding ceremonies are

different from the ceremony they perform in their tribe. Moreover, they are free to

choose whom to marry, what kind of ceremony they want, and the path they are

going to take.

Today, there are options as to where and whom they are going to get treated. If

they are feeling unwell or they are sick, they can seek medical professionals.

They can freely go to the hospitals and get treated by a doctor.

Although many changes with their rituals and practices happened, the tribe is still

doing their best to perform and retain these rituals for the next generation. During

the focused group discussion, the tribal healer (Baylan) stated that he has trained

one of his family members how to treat and do what a baylan does. When the

baylan was severely ill, he was the one who summons Abyan and treats baylan.

This actively demonstrates that their ritual is still evident and significant.

Address: National Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Telephone No.: 212-8020
E-mail Address: 304877@deped.gov.ph
FB Page: Carrascal National High School
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XIII-CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SURIGAO DEL SUR
CARRASCAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Nat’l. Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

To help them preserve their culture and tradition, the education and tourism

sector collaborated to conduct a cultural mapping. This cultural mapping and

research are conducted to help the Manobo tribe in Pantukan, Carrascal, Surigao

del Sur preserve their rituals especially the rituals in healing, wedding, and the

ritual before entering the forest. The Manobo tribe is doing their best to preserve

their culture by wearing Manobo attire during important occasions, speak in their

language, perform their dance, and teach potential descendants. The cultural

mapping and research help in documenting their rituals. Their rituals and dances

are photographed and recorded. This effort is done to make sure that their rituals

are not forgotten and tourists from other places will recognize them as someone

who belongs to the society and as a tribe with rich culture and traditions.

Address: National Highway, Gamuton, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Telephone No.: 212-8020
E-mail Address: 304877@deped.gov.ph
FB Page: Carrascal National High School