Siruhano: A narrative on the patterns, dynamics, and issues on the traditional health system at Tapaz, Capiz, Philippines

Abstract

This study explored Siruhano and aimed to understand the underlying patterns, dynamics, and issues of traditional healthcare system in Tapaz, Capiz Philippines, to describe the themes based on the narratives of the siruhano, to recognize the different traditional health systems, and to identify these various traditional health systems that are being used in the modern age . Using the qualitative research design, two (2) informants from barangay Camburanan and Daan Banwa Tapaz, Capiz, were purposively chosen based on the three-generation test by Manuel (1955). Fieldwork, observations, informal and key informant interviews, and documentary and photographic analysis were used. Verbatim data transcripts were analyzed using the general inductive approach (Thomas, 2006) and in vivo coding technique. The patterns of the traditional health system vary from the origin and forte of the siruhano. In terms of dynamics, siruhano was known to believers until this era, when presence of licensed medical practitioners and health workers was available in the locality. The prevailing issues on the siruhano as they perform their traditional health care services to the folks in the locality were: legitimacy, discrimination, poverty, and life threats. Out of 5 participants, the majority were males (80.00%), above 60 years old (80.00%), married (60.00%), unable to study or finish college education (60.00%), unemployed (80.00%), and Catholic (80.00%). Practitioners have strong conviction in their field of practice because of their belief that they were chosen and had given gifts of prowess that defines their ability. They also show a strong commitment to their work and utilize healing practices with their utmost skills. The challenges that most traditional healers experience are the discrimination of the people from their own community and interrogation of the validity of their medical practices. Participants" responses reveal that the traditional health system does not uplift the economic status of healer/s and that most of them do not rely on the payment of their clients. Traditional healers experienced life threats that triggered fear and anxiety. Their responses also prevail that the practitioners don't have any provision from the government for them to be recognized as part of the national heritage that promotes cultural inclusion, which is very important to the next generation. The common traditional healing method of the “Pat-ans” in the community are “manugtawas; manugluy - a; manugbotbot; manugluop; manugban – aw; manugpabata; manughilot; manughimulso; manugtayhop; and manugpalayas sang malain nga espirito”. It was found in this study that all of these methods are still being used in this modern age.