The Tambalans

The next topic that i would like to discuss is all about the tambalan and its origin.This is a very important institution in Samar in the old days. The Tambalan is regarded as an authority in the local setting. He is well respected by the community. His words are like laws that people should follow and listen. Is it easy to be a Tambalan? Is it true that Tambalans have physical attributes? What can you say about the Tambalan as an institution? How does a Tambalan practice healing? What are the tools used by Tambalans in Samar? Do they follow strict rules and rituals in healing? How do they view "illness"? What is the relationship between tambalans and barangans?

1. The origin of Tambalan
It is difficult to trace the origin of Tambalans. But according to my grandfather, in the ancient times, no doctors can be found in Samar. That is why the elementals/fairies of the spirit world opened their gates and chose someone the "Art of Folk Healing". It was the fairies/elementals who taught us. It was THEM who laid down the rules and procedures for the different rituals used by babaylans in the ancient times and the tambalans in the contemporary period.It was THEM who taught us orasyon and the rules to awaken it.(The original Visayan/Mindanao orasyon cannot be understood and should not be understood. From the point of view of original "Latin", used by the Church in Rome, Italy, the orasyons in Visayas and Mindanao differ. It was actually a mixture of Latin,Spanish,Visayan, and some unintelligible words only understood by the spirit world. Invoking it would produce effect because of the interconnection of humans and other elements of nature through air(hangin).Everything is actually governed by two elements-the hot(mapaso) element and the cold (mapinit)element.The power of orasyon given by the spirit world will neutralize/balance the two elements in the body.)

After the first pact (pacto), the ancient babaylans/tambalans wrote everything in a libreto to be passed on to the next generation. In my family, I am part of the 9th generation. From our ninuno named Baba Makalinog to Baba Barahel to Baba Bersola to Baba Crispulo to Baba Dalugdog to Baba Oyan to Baba Lilo to my father and to me. My father wasn't interested that's why my grandfather taught everything to me. As I see it, Tambalan in Samar is different because the ability to heal is just passed on to one or two members of the family. Outsiders are not permitted to learn the process. Maliban na lang kung ikaw ay pagkakatiwalaan ng isang Tambalan, I think ito lang ang exception.

If you have already the orasyons then, the next step is the so called "Pagmayaw". Here you have to go to the different steps or stages. You need to know the right formula/ingredients or else your "Pagmayaw will not take effect. Worst, as soon as the spirit/fairies/elements notice that you do not know the exact procedure, they will give you a big problem- maaring masira ang ulo mo o paglaruan ka nila o patayin ka nila. Marami na ang na-aral sa amin na nabaliw dahil mali ang kanilang ginawa sa ritwal na pagmamayaw. The rule is definite and precise. You have to know the rule. (to be continued)