Glimpses of Meranaw Local Knowledge in Health and Healing

Abstract

The Meranaw, known as the people of the lake, had established their communities around Lake Lanao, considered an ancient lake situated in the city of Marawi and the province of Lanao del Sur. Considered as a conservative ethnic group, the Meranaw had developed over time indigenous knowledge and practices which in combination with outside influences constitute the unique Meranaw culture. Among the important components of the Meranaw culture are their beliefs and practices on health, diseases, and curative resorts which are essential especially in these parts of the country where the health system is in poor state. The study was conducted in the city of Marawi and four municipalities of Lanao del Sur: Saguiaran, Balindong, Tamparan, and Ganassi. Survey method was used among 500 respondents and Key Informant (KI) interview among four Meranaw traditional healers. This artible aims to determine the notions of Meranaws on health, the practices they believed to be good for one's health, perceived causes of disease, their curative resorts, and their indigenous healing methods. Findings are analysed using the Explanation Model (EM) a framework which views culture as providing explanation, in this case, to Meranaw health beliefs and curative methods. Findings shows Meranaws have a syncretic belief system on health, causes of disease, curative resorts, and healing methods. Theirs is a combination of pre Islamic, Islamic, and 'modern' health belief system and practices. Even among traditional healers (pamomolong), there is a combination of pre Islamic and Islamic beliefs and practices on healing methods. The dynamic and adaptive Meranaw culture provides for a local knowledge relevant to the health needs and healthy system conditions in the research localities.