Ethnographic Study on Marriage Practices of Selected Groups in Socorro Surigao Del Norte, Philippines

Abstract

This study aimed to determine and explore the marriage practices of the selected groups in Socorro, Surigao del Norte. The researcher believed that incorporating these ethnographic marriage practices on values education and ethics would help to understand the sociological, anthropological, and cultural concept of marriage and thus improve the family and society. This study used the Descriptive Phenomenological Research Approach using the Husserl method, as illustrated by Groenewald (2004), with transcribed semi-structured in-depth one-on-one interviews to explore the marriage practices of the selected group in Socorro, Surigao del Norte. A purposive sampling technique was used to find the eight (8) selected identified participants who are leaders, elders, and core members of the tribal group of Iglesia sa Socorro. Thematic analysis was used to determine the themes of the study. Based on the emerging themes, tribal migration and fanatic ideology were the primary historical background of the group's marriage practices. Findings revealed that the marriage practices of the selected groups of Socorro are based upon six emerging themes: customs, beliefs, bylaws, prohibitions, abuses, and trends.Marriage practices and customs are the ceremonial observance and procedures of the group. Beliefs are the faith and convictions of the tribes. Marriage practices, according to bylaws, are the rules and regulations. Prohibitions on marriage practices are the forbidden actions and rules on marriage practices. Abuses of marriage practices are the misuse, exploitation, and perversion of the customs. At the same time, the trending practices on marriage pertain to the new craze or mania observed or confirmed from outside the tribal norms in these current times. Marriage practices based on customs, beliefs, bylaws, and prohibitions are indigenous in traditions. In contrast, abuses of marriage practices and trending marriage practices are products of extremist viewpoints and conformation to outside traditions. They may result in dire consequences, including the destruction of marriage and, thus, the family.