English - Balay Mindanaw

LUMADNONG PAGKINABUHI NGADTO SA KALINAWhandled by Tatay Malindahay pertaining to a conflict wherethe groom-to-be withdrew from the wedding agreement.Tatay Malindahay negotiated the reduction of the manggadfrom Php15,000 plus one pig to Php10,000 and a pig.Singampo and tampuda hu balagunThe performance of rituals is part of Higaunon life,especially in paghusay. Ritual, according to Turner (1967:19),has reference to a society’s beliefs in mystical powers andbeings. In all undertakings, be it hunting, farming and inmarriage, the Higaunons perform various rituals as a signof acknowledging a powerful being or beings that rule theirevery activity.In the resolution of conflict, certain rituals are observed.Serious conflicts are usually resolved through singampo (prayerrituals) and tampuda hu balagon or the ceremonial cutting ofrattan. Singampo is an activity where the feuding parties arebeing prayed over as the datus invoke the intercession of themagbabayas and the spirits in the pangapog or pandalawit. Thesingampo is likened to a prayer asking God and the spirits torestore the good relationship of the parties involved in theconflict. Datu Manbutalan, the oldest and respected datu ofSangalan, Gingoog City, said: “The singampo is performedwhether the case is serious or minor.” The singampo maysometimes last for several days depending on the intensityof the conflict and the level of commitment of each party tocome to terms.There are rules as well as processes in conducting husay.But these processes may vary depending on the type ofconflict, its intensity and the style employed by the mediator.As Amay Mantangkilan puts it:“Settling conflicts is not easy, so there should be aprocess to be followed to make the mediation successful116