Exploring the Ubaya Ritual: A Sacred Indigenous Practice of the Muyadan Tribe in Northern Philippines

Abstract

This study explored the ubaya as an indigenous ritual practiced by the Muyadan (Ammutan) Tinguian tribe of Manabo, Abra which emphasizes their strong ties to their ancestors and encourages unity and cooperation among the community. This study utilized an ethnoic thematic approach, combining structured interviews, thematic analysis, and participant observation. Two baglan leaders and ten community members from different barangays of Manabo, Abra served as study participants, contributing their knowledge of the ritual's historical context, procedures, symbolism, and its function in expressing the community's indigenous identity and customs. The findings revealed that the ritual, led by a baglan (ritual leader), is to seek Kabunian’s blessing for a bountiful harvest (pinatuk) and protection against diseases and illness (duklos). Despite the influences of modernity and external pressures, the ubaya is still a living tradition that reflects the tribe's unique knowledge system and practice. Therefore, schools should improve the implementation of indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSP) into the curriculum and provide more policies which promote the preservation of rituals as an essential manifestation of the indigenous knowledge and spirituality of the Tinguian people, highlighting its continuing cultural relevance.