Maruyog Charm. Perceived Protection and Healing Beliefs

Abstract

The Ati tribes are considered to be one of the first ethnic groups to inhabit the country. Along with their primacy in civilization comes their supremacy in supernatural beliefs, cultural and traditional practices. Among their beliefs include the use of herbs and certain plants to protect people, especially children, from evil entities and harmful spirits.
These herbs and plants are placed inside small plastic tubes, which are then made into bracelets. Maruyog Charms, a name given to the bracelets, are recognized by both the National Council for Indigenous People and the Department of Trade and Industry. Each bracelet contains lana (virgin coconut oil), shards of santoara (limestone), herbs (salindugok, tagahumok, amigos), diamante negra, punta diamante, textiles, and mata-mata. The lana is made on Good Friday, a day believed to hold the strongest elemental pull on the primitive world. Santoara, limestone crushed into tiny pieces, are added to the bracelet to make people more accommodating to the bearer. The herbs, on the other hand, are gathered all-year-round and each herb has its own function. Salindugok is brownish green-colored shrub infused as charms, especially made for entrepreneurs, to attract customers. Tagahumok is a green-colored shrub included in the talisman to make the hearts of those around the bearer softer and easier to please. Amigos is a herb incorporated to the bracelet to make people friendlier to and more approachable for the bearer. The diamante negra and punta diamante act as panaming (shield) to ward off dark and negative energies. Both the textiles and the mata-mata (black and red seed) are
added to the charms for decorative purposes only. The continuous production of these charms ensure the preservation of practices, and traditions of the indigenous people.