Blaan T’logan: The Marker of Tribal Identity

Abstract

Aims: To determine the identity and practices of the Blaan tribe of Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, Southern Philippines.
 Study Design: This study used the historical approach.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, Southern Philippines for 6 months.
 Methodology: Historical approach was used through the tribe’s oral tradition and elders’ revelations, triangulated by the tangible and immovable cultural property.
 Results: Just like the other tribes in the Davao region, the Blaan tribe has also their own unique beliefs and culture. The stories they believed in where obtained from their ancestors. Believing to these stories had become part of their daily living. To preserve their customary practices, the Blaan elders constructed the T’logan which the tribe considered a sacred community house, where several significant socio-cultural and political activities were held. The T’logan became a marker their identity and symbolizes community prestige, honor, pride and strong social cohesion. It was greatly valued by the tribe members since it embraced spiritual, social, and political significance. It was a place where disputes were settled, alliances were forged, marriages were officiated and other community rituals.
 Conclusion: Cultural preservation during this technologically advanced era and liberalized time is not easy. However, the unity of the Blaan elders and members is the key to reviving and promoting their beliefs and cultural practices not only for the tribe members but for the outside communities. Moreover, studying and dissimination of the Blaan tribe’s customary beliefs and cultures is a contribution which the educational institutions can do best.