Exploring the B'laan Culture: An Input for a Baseline Ethnographic and Archaeological Study

Abstract

One major starting step in any ethnographic study is to establish baseline data. Thus, this study addressed such an aim in the B’laan culture of South Cotabato, Philippines. The B’laans of South Cotabato is an indigenous group ethno-linguistically distinguished from B’laans due to their geographic location. The intangible cultural heritage data were gathered through the ethnographic method, making use of participant-observation and focused group discussion. The tangible cultural heritage data were gathered and established through the examination of archival records, the examination of systematic and archeological contexts of material culture, plotting of probable sites of cultural significance through the use of GPS, as well as surface test pitting. On the other hand, the baseline ethnographic data describes the socio-political organization, marriage pattern, and political leadership, belief systems on health and well-being, education and literacy levels of the B’laans. On the other hand, the tangible cultural heritage data reveals nine (9) sites of cultural heritage significance. The baseline ethnographic and cultural heritage data established by this study are hoped to provide a reference for cultural induction to outsiders of B’laan culture, documentation of the B’laan knowledge, systems and practices and determination of areas for cultural heritage protection and conservation.