THE RITUAL FOODS OFTHE BLAAN IN BARANGAY LABANGAL, GENERAL SANTOS CITY

This study employed descriptive and historical method. Revolving around BCV (Blaan Community Village) of Barangay Labangal, General Santos City, its residents were interviewed through key informant interview (KII) as well as modified guide questionnaires in gathering data. The data gathered are analyzed, validated and triangulated in order to process the needed information.
The result showed that based on the collective memory of the residents, Blaan ritual foods accompany significant ceremonies into their life, such as in marriage, burial, childbirth and healing ceremonies. In this paper, food preparation, ingridients and processing has been identified and described that in the process has manifested the rich cultural traditions of the Blaan people in general.
Finally, this paper on Ritual Foods of the Blaan is an opportunity to have a glimpse on a different angle of cultural perspectives of the Blaan people as part of our shared heritage in southern Mindanao that may provide us fresh and widen further our insights towards this magnificent group of people.