BLAAN MALEM AS A TOOL FOR CULTURAL PRESERVATION: A NARRATIVE STUDY

This is a narrative study which determined how the Blaan people of Margus, Glan, Sarangani Province define the word malem. There were nine (9) participants in this research: three (3) chanting adults, three (3) chanting youth, and three (3) non chanting youth. This study was also aimed at knowing how Blaan people understand the malem along with its description. It was identified in this the form and usual content of malem, whose responsibility is to transmit the same from one generation to another, and to assess the current status of practice in the community.

Interview using a semi-structured Key Interview Guide was used in collecting data which were analyzed through identification of themes and writing them out with supporting statements from the interview transcripts to provide answers to the statements of the problem. Findings revealed that malem is an integral part of Blaan life being a source of inspiration and a medium of sharing stories to show a robust oral tradition of Blaan.

There had been a decline of the malem tradition among the Blaan, and discrimination is pointed out to be the reason that Blaan youth, have tended to neglect the process of relearning it for the pursuit of preserving the same. Poverty was thought to be the key factor why malem ought to meet its end. However, this research says otherwise.

The informants showed different reasons why malem journeys to becoming extinct, or insignificant; Nevertheless, elder chanters proclaimed the urgency of malem to be transmitted as soon as possible, and it is incumbent upon the Datu or Ba'i to effort on it. Alternatively, the Fulongs or the council of elders may do the same. There was a question as to who may be rightful to become a malem chanter. The common understanding is that the bloodline is the best basis in choosing someone in the family who can perform the malem and should continue the practice. Despite that, the informants laid it out that there are many ways for a Blaan to practice the malem: bloodline is one thing, but the interest is another thing.

On the possible ramifications that the malem's total loss will bring to the Blaan tribe, the informants suggests that it would be detrimental to the completeness of the whole Blaan identity as malem is the very soul of the Blaan identity. Thus, they suggested that the traditional leaders should act on it since there are few programs initiated to protect the said tradition. They also encourage the documentation of the processes of how a malem is performed, in order to come up with a concrete record to emerge, knowing that it is the Blaan's practice to transmit a culturally - significant practice by tongue or oral tradition.