Home⇛Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal⇛vol. 45 no. 2 (2025)

Dancing with the Blaan: An Ethnography Study in Understanding the Maral

Allan Jay S. Cajandig | Mclin Jhon Mabalot | Melanie-chel Panerio

Discipline: Cultural Studies

 

Abstract:

The Maral Blaan dancers' dance experiences were the focus of this ethnographic investigation. It also looked at the Maral Blaan's moral principles and how they affected the dancers' emotional, social, and spiritual lives. In order to support the Regional Memorandum CLMD No. 153, s., 2021, it recommended actions for the IPED Program's implementation. Significant results of the study revealed that the Maral Blaan dancers expressed that they have happy and inspirational experiences; they inherited the skill and take pride of sharing their talents with others; however, they fear that Maral Blaan may possibly be on its verge of extinction. They also fear of being discriminated and bullied. The study was able to generalize certain emergent themes by considering the effects of the Maral Blaan's moral principles on the informants. Maral Blaan is an entertainment (rather than a form of worship) that is used to summon the presence of gods and goddesses. The social impact revealed the following themes: Maral Blaan helps people establish higher self-esteem, fosters excellent relationships, and brings people together. Maral Blaan also enhances spirituality because of its spiritual nature. The study braces the implementation of the IPED Program to support the Regional Memorandum CLMD No. 153, s. 2021.



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