EDEL DANCE: A HEALING RITUAL OF TAGAKAULO TRIBE OF BARANGAY DATU DANWATA IN MALITA, DAVAO OCCIDENTAL

Abstract

For millennia, faith healing has been practiced in many nations to prevent, diagnose, and treat health issues (Peprah, P., et al., 2019). Faith healing is the concept that by having faith, one may be healed. Prayer or supernatural intervention are generally used to accomplish this. The goal of this research is to learn more about "Edel Dance: A Healing Ritual of the TagaKaulo Tribe in Barangay Datu Danwata, Malita, Davao Occidental, Philippines." Storytelling, focus group discussions, observations, and in-depth interviews are all used by the researcher. Families that took part in the Edel Dance enjoyed spiritual, bodily, and emotional healing, especially when a sibling died. Their God, who created humanity and the cosmos, was tied to this concept. As a result, traditional methods of thinking and doing things have been preserved and continue to be practiced today. The Tagakaulo Tribe has traditionally resided in the provinces of Davao Del Sur and Sarangani, particularly in the towns of Malalag, Lais, and Talaguton Rivers, Santa Maria, Davao Occidental, and Malita and Malungon, Sarangani. The Tagakaolo tribe traveled south of Mt. Apo from the Davao Gulf's western beaches a long time ago. There are around 71,356 native speakers in the country (2000, SIL International). Tagakaulo is connected to the Mandaya, Kalagan, and Kamayo dialects and belongs to the Austronesian and Malayo-Polynesian language families. Tagakaulo means "headwater dwellers" (olo sa tubig) or "headwater dwellers" (olo sa tubig) or "headwater dwellers" (olo sa tubig) or "headwater dwellers" (olo sa tubig Lowland, coastal, riverine, valley, mountain, highland, and plain habitats were all present. Their main sources of income were agriculture, fishing, and paid labor, and they lived completely sedentary lives. Primogeniture runs across each upland river valley or highland plain (right of succession belonging to the firstborn child). The datu, who is in charge of civic and labor obligations, is a significant person in their culture; a powerful datu may be captured or purchased. Each datu is the self-governing chief of a region. The Tagakaulo tribe's lifestyle is influenced by religious beliefs, ceremonies, and customs. They are touched by supernatural phenomena because they think ghosts are also part of the community. Their religious views represent their relationship with the divine realm, which has an impact on how they should act, behave, and interact with the unseen world. As a result, traditional belief systems and rituals have survived and continue to be practiced today. All aspects of our life are influenced by cultural belief systems and customs. As a result, in order to preserve these notions and traditions, research that is in tune with other cultures' beliefs and practices should be promoted. Furthermore, studies like these will aid in the spread of understanding as well as acceptance and respect for diverse faiths' views, practices, and faith.