K A R A W

KARAW  

This blog circulates on our quest as junior students of R. G. de Castro Colleges about Taboo Practices that could be found on the municipality of Bulan under the province of Sorsogon. Philippine culture is vast enough to include superstitious beliefs. We all know that. And in connection with this, we visited Danao, one of the town's coastal Barangays where kulam, the first subtopic among the five features of this blog is said to be found. Enjoy reading! Let curiosity and interest be expanded.

almost done

ORIGIN and FACTS

Invaded and ruled by a number of countries,it is obvious that the Philippines is rich invarious cultures and superstitious beliefs. Despite of modernization, there are still superstitious people who attribute certain illnesses or diseases to "KULAM" or "KARAW" (in Bicol Bulan).

*voodoo doll, candles and potions*

    A word often used for witchcraft meaning hex or "curse".

This most often happens in rural areas and is said to be centered on the islands of Siquijor and Talalora, Western Samar and the province of Sorsogon, where many of the country's faith healer resides. Kulam also exists in many of the hinterlands, especially in Samar and Leyte.

The Filipino term for a witch or a sorcerer is "MANGKUKULAM", literally meaning a practitioner of kulam. While a herbal doctor an "ALBULARYO" is the one responsible on helping the victim cure their malady by means of a divination method called "PAGTATAWAS".

Curses are mitigated by finding the caster by bribing them to lift the curse. The primary method employed are the recitation of spells and concocting potions.

Sometimes, the spell is written in the piece of paper and the name of the involved person pinned with needles, small nails or pins. Modern popular culture also depicts the mangkukulam as using either photographs or the equivalent a voodoo doll. 

In our country, witchcraft often co-exists harmoniously with Catholicism. Good witches invoke the name of saints, whisper Latin prayers and even wear scapulars toward of the machination of their evil counterparts.

Black witches on the other hand is said to be in league with the DEVIL.

Even Bulaneños are already familiar with this matter. An evidence is the existence of herbal doctors on certain Barangays. In fact the team had an opportunity to conduct an interview with an albularyo and site questions pertaining to this issue but due to some considerations, it is advisable not to further elaborate their personal data.

At first the faith
 healer tried to 
identify her sickness 
by means of using a cross called
"PANGSIPIT" or 
"SAN BENITO". 
This is a term used 
for the process is done through the putting of the cross between the fingers and fingertoes of the patient. 

The function of this device is to determine whether the patient is a victim of "KULAM" or "SAPI". 

Kulam or witchcraft reflects the richness of Filipino culture. Since this is a superstitious beliefs and the scientific community doesn't fully support this matter, it already depends on an individual to decide whether he's going to believe in this act of sorcery or not.

Although quack or herbal doctors have the ability to bring healing, faith in yourself and especially to our Creator still matters. "for He's still our great healer", as being said by the faith healer we interviewed.