A Culturally Grounded Responses to Crisis: The Blaan Tribe’s Experience of COVID-19 in Southern Mindanao

This study explores the multifaceted impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Blaan Indigenous community in Southern Mindanao, Philippines. Employing a purely qualitative design through ethnographic fieldwork, key informant interviews, and document analysis, the study examined the cultural, health, and socio-economic challenges experienced by the community from 2020 to 2024. Thematic analysis revealed five major themes: disrupted cultural practices and rituals, altered health-seeking behaviors, erosion of traditional livelihoods, limited access to public health services, and emerging resilience mechanisms rooted in indigenous knowledge. Participants expressed concerns over the loss of communal traditions, economic marginalization, and the inadequacy of mainstream health interventions in addressing their cultural realities. Findings underscore the urgency for culturally grounded public health strategies, inclusive policy-making, and sustainable livelihood support systems. The study contributes to the growing body of research highlighting the intersectionality of health, culture, and indigenous resilience in times of crisis. It emphasizes the need for participatory and culturally respectful responses that empower indigenous peoples, safeguard their traditions, and strengthen community-based support mechanisms for future emergencies.