"Amyong, Anito at Usag": Patterns of Health Belief Among Aetas of Nabuclod Pampanga

Abstract

<p><span>This study, grounded on focused ethnography, explored the cultural patterns among Aetas of Nabuclod Pampanga specifically zeroing in on those practices that directly and indirectly affect the health of community members. The said community is an adopted community of the institution where the researcher was previously connected thus this study is part of the entry phase of the institution’s community organizing. Prior to the data gathering, permission from the community through its elders, barangay official and members were sought. Data, in the form of narratives, were gathered through interviews, story-telling, group discussion, observation, photo-documentation and immersion for the course of 2 years. Analysis of the narratives reveals three prominent cultural patterns among the Aetas and are as follows:1) “Amyong at Dizu”: Amulets as Preventive and Curative Ornaments, 2) “Pag-aanito”: Rituals Rites and Ceremonies for Ailment and 3) “Usag”: Cosmological Deities and Wellness. These patterns reveal that though the Aetas of Nabuclod is well oriented in the concept of western medicine, their decisions on health actions and behavior is still rooted in their cultural belief system. It is further noted that for them, their unique health practices serves as their cultural identifier as “kulot” (Aeta) as opposed to the “unat” (Lowlanders). Insight from this study reveals that there is need to integrate their health practices, and belief system in crafting health programs’ goal, objective and strategies to be more inclusive, culturally-sensitive and relevant to the community and its members as well as further preventing the prominent feeling of systemic oppression that they have experienced from the “unat” people</span></p>