Traditional Bol-anon Mystic Belief System in Contemporary Bol-anon Narratives

Shiela Marie  Ranque-solera,

Traditional Bol-anon Mystic Belief System in Contemporary Bol-anon Narratives

Discipline: Education

Abstract:

Apart from being hailed as the country's first UNESCO Global Geopark, Bohol is also recognized for its efforts to preserve its rich cultural heritage despite adapting to modernization. This study uses discourse analysis to analyze the dominant endemic cultural heritage featured in Bol-anon narratives using Folklore Theory and Post-Colonial Theory. The study reveals that healing arts are observed in shamanic ritual performances and using anting-anting. It also illustrates that folk beliefs weave a vibrant cultural tapestry featuring mythical creatures such as santilmo, ungu, wuwog, tambaloslos, engkanto, wakwak, and sigbin. It also describes Bol-anon's strong religious veneration, showing their profound devotion to the Christian faith. Having folkloric spirituality and a strong Christian faith establishes a complex belief system that reflects the resilience of Bol-anon in adapting to changing circumstances while preserving core cultural identities. The identity as Bol-anon is a foundation to maintain true Bol-anon character and foster harmony within their community. Since they serve as vessels freighted with social beliefs and values for the future, there is also a need to evaluate Gen-Z's perception of cultural preservation amid globalization.

References:

Aparece, U. (2013). Retrieving a Folk Hero Through Oral Narratives: The Case of Francisco Dagohoy in the Sukdan Rituals. Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society. Vol 41.University of San Carlos Press, Cebu City
Ashcroft, Bill, Gareth Griffiths, and Helen Tiffin. Post-Colonial Studies: The Key Concepts. 3rd ed., Routledge, 2013. https://doi.org/10.4324/978023777855
Bacalla, L. (2021). Makadiwang Paglalapi Sa Diyalektong Sugbuanon At Binol-Anong Binisaya: Sosyolingguwistikong Pagsusuri (Verbal Affixation of the Sugbuanon and Binol-Anon Dialects of the Cebuano-Visayan Language: A Sociolinguistic Analysis). Asia Pacific Journal of Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 9, No. 1. 12-15. https://research.lpubatangas.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/APJMSD-2021-01-002a.pdf
Bojos, S., Pacaña, N.A., Ramos, C. Inocian, R. (2016). Demystifying the Magic of the Eskaya Writing System in Duero, Bohol, Philippines. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Vol. 4, No.1. https://www.apjmr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/APJMR-2016.4.1.08.pdf
Cervantes, C. L. G. (2023). Kaluluwa, kapwa, and kalikasan: Mental health implications of Filipino folk beliefs. Spirituality in Clinical Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000358
Compuesto, J. (2011). The Oral Tales of Ungu in Rural Bohol (Master's Thesis). College of Arts and Sciences, Cebu Normal University, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
Del Castillo, Fides A. (2022). Re-Imagining the Religious Beliefs and Cultural Practices of Indigenous Christian Youth. Religions 13: 539. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13060539
Dimzon, E. (2016). Orality and Oral Traditions as Expression of Power in the Selected Hiligaynon Short Stories, 1998-2015. Philippine Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of the Philippines Visayas, Volume 21, 3-18. https://pjssh.upv.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/PJSSH-Vol-21_3-18_Orality-and-Oral-Traditions-as-Articulation-of-Power-in-the-Selected-Hiligaynon-Short-Stories-1998.pdf
Dundes, A. (2007). Folklore: Critical Concepts in Literary and Cultural Studies. Routledge.
Eslit, E.R. (2023). Resilience of Philippine folklore: An enduring heritage and legacy for the 21st century. International Journal of Education, Language and Religion, 5(1), 9-20. https://doi.org/10.35308/ijelr.v5i1.7504
Evasco, M. (2017). The Bohol We Love. Anvil Publishing. Mandaluyong City
Labad, L., Boloron, R., Quirog, B., Sarabosing, R., Zaluaga, S.A. (2023) The Boholano Hugos And Its Challenges in the Second Millennium. LUMINA. 76-97. http://lumina.hnu.edu.ph/images/lumina_download/Labad_et_al_The_Boholano_Hugos.pdf
Liu, G., Huang, X. Li, Y. (2024). Modernization and Inheritance of Folk Beliefs in the Digital Age: A Case Study in the Southeastern Coastal Areas of China. Religions 15: 847. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15070847
Macaranas, J.R. (2021). Understanding Folk Religiosity in the Philippines. Religions 2021, 12(10), 800; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12100800
Mansukhani-Tan, R. (2017) Shamanism, Dreaming, Healing: Some Case Illustrations. 10th DLSU Arts Congress, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/pdf/conferences/arts-congress-proceedings/2017/paper-29.pdf
Pelila, J.R. (2020). Benguet Folktales: Bases for Tracing Family Bloodline? International Journal of Linguistics, Literature, and Translation (IJLLT) 3(4):01-17. https://doi.org/10.32996/ijllt.2020.3.4.1
Ranque, S.M. (2016). Expressive Culture in Jatut Oratures (Master Thesis). College of Arts and Sciences, Cebu Normal University, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines