Sikaan
Sikaan is a term used in parts of the Philippines to denote a traditional practitioner who serves as healer, diviner, and mediator with spirits. The exact role and status of a sikaan vary by region and community. In many places the sikaan is seen as a respected figure who uses herbal knowledge, ritual practices, and forms of divination to diagnose illness, locate lost objects, or predict future events. In other contexts the word can carry negative associations with sorcery or witchcraft, reflecting local beliefs about magic and social enforcement.
Etymology and variations: The word is related to the root sikâ, which in several Philippine languages means
Cultural context and practices: Practices attributed to a sikaan typically sit within broader traditions of folk
Contemporary perspectives: Scholars view sikaan as part of intangible cultural heritage that reveals how communities navigate