rit·u·al

a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to

a prescribed order.

Ethnic

of or relating to a population subgroup (within a larger or dominant national or cultural

group) with a common national or cultural tradition.
"leaders of ethnic communities"

Trance

a half-conscious state characterized by an absence of response to external stimuli, typically as

induced by hypnosis or entered by a medium.

Kin- ones family and relations

Epidemic -a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.

Ritual dances

Pagdiwata Tribal Ritual in Palawan – Philippines

The Tagbanwa or Tagbanua, one of the oldest ethnic groups in the Philippines, can be mainly
found in the central and northern Palawan. Research has shown that the Tagbanwa are
possible descendants of the Tabon Man; thus, making them one of the original inhabitants of
the Philippines.

Pagdiwata

Location

The town proper of Aborlan in Palawan is host to the Pagdiwata Tribal Ritual held every month of
December on a full moon. Aborlan is a small municipality that has the mountains and the Sulu Sea
surrounding it. It has about 19 barangays and a population of no more than 30,000 people. To get to
Aborlan to see the Pagdiwata Tribal Ritual which is about 75 kilometers away from Puerto Princesa, one
can either hop on a bus or ride a jeepney which departs from the capital city daily. The rideshould be
about 2 hours. If one is booked at a hotel in Aborlan, transportation becomes much easier because the
hotel picks up its guests upon their arrival at the Puerto Princesa Airport.

What to See There

Aborlan thrives on agriculture and because of the mountainous terrain and the fact that it is surrounded
by the Sulu Sea, there are many things to see and do here aside from the Pagdiwata Tribal Ritual. Going
to the beach is an option and there are many resorts in the area that allow day trippers to enjoy its
facilities so engaging in a marine sport is very possible. One can also go hiking or trekking, or drop by at
the Western Philippines University, Palawans only agricultural college and take a look at their exhibits
and small museum.

History

The Pagdiwata Tribal Ritual is said top have dual purpose. This festival is thanksgiving for the many
blessings that Palawan and its inhabitants receive while the other purpose is to seek the help of the gods
in healing the sick. The Pagdiwata Tribal Ritual originated from the indigenous group Tagbanua and their
ceremony includes traditional dances while wearing their costumes and body paint and singing in their
dialect. It is held in December on a full moon because this is the time believed to be the most effective
when it comes to healing and when the good spirits are strongest.

Cost

To view or participate at the Pagdiwata Tribal Ritual should cost nothing and one can feel free to
snappictures of the events that transpire during this festival. The Tagbanua are willing to have visitors
join them during the Pagdiwata Tribal Ritual since it is a belief that the more people participate during
the ceremony, the louder their thanks becomes and therefore more pleasing to the gods. Really, the
only expense that the Pagdiwata Tribal Ritual entails is the transportation from Puerto Princesa City to
Aborlan.

Dugso

is a ceremonial dance from the Talaandig women of Bukidnon. The dancers create rhythms
accented by their anklets while moving around a ceremonial fire. The smoke from the fire
carries prayers and messages of thanksgiving to the gods

Dugso (or Dugsu) is a ceremonial dance of the Manobo people in Bukidnon, Agusan and Misamis
Oriental. It is performed during important occasions such as feasts and tribal gatherings, as well as
festivities for an abundant harvest, the birth of a male heir or victory in war.

The Dugso, of the Manobos in Bukidnon, is danced during harvest time and upon the birth of a male
heir. Colorful costumes and ornaments enhance the appearance of the participants: women wearing
feathered headdress and plaid costumes steps rhythmically, some using bell anklets as the sole
accompaniment, to punctuate their movements, others use bamboo drums, still others, bamboo guitars.
A fire is lit in the belief that the smoke will carry the offering up to the gods.

-danced for the entertainment of the deities.

The Itneg

(also sometimes referred to using the exonym "Tinguian"/"Tingguian" ) are an Austronesian

ethnic group from the upland province of Abra in northwestern Luzon, in the Philippines. The
term "Itneg" is sometimes also used to refer to the Itneg people's native Itneg language.

Mandadawak- commonly known as ethnic doctors in balbalan

salidumay is the response song of young women to the kalkalimusta songs of men during the
weaving season. The salidumay are sweet melodies and expressions of gratitude.

The Manerwap is a rain dance performed by the Bontoc people to ask their god Kabunian to
water the rice terraces and the mountains. The dancers must be physically strong enough to
endure a ritual fast and climb the mountain to the sacred place they call fawi to offer some meat
and rice wine to Kabunian.

Anituan

The Mandaya is a group of non-Christian, non-Islamic people living in Eastern Mindanao. The
word "Mandaya" is derived from "man" which means "first" and "daya" which means "upstream"
or "upper portion of a river"

Ginum

Ginum is a Bagobo thanksgiving festival that may last for one to four days. Ginum means "to drink"
or "drinking". Indeed the festivals features balaba (wine) in jars placed in each cornerof the long
house of the datu, where the celebration takes place. A tambara or bamboo altar is placed in each of
the various parts of the house. Two bamboo poles (patan-an) decorated with strips of palm leaves
and cloth become the focus of the celebration. That is why the Ginum is also called pista sa
kawayan or the bamboo festival.
In ancient practice, Ginum could include the display of enemy skulls mounted on the patan-an as
offerings. The indigenous warriors boasted of their deeds. In some cases, the celebration included
human sacrifice. Today, it is sufficient to offer a chicken, whose blood is made to drip onto the
bamboo poles. Two mabalians or shamans (a man and a woman) and the datu or leading warrior
lead the sacrificial offering.
Present Ginum celebrations focus on drinking, feasting, chanting and dancing to the music of gongs.
People also put offerings on the mat prepared for the purpose. These offerings include beautiful
clothing, knives and other expensive items. The people petition the spirits for abundant crops, good
health, safe travel, and other blessings