tingumine

Tingumine is a term primarily used in the Philippines, particularly in the Visayas region, to describe a specific type of ritualistic folk healing. It is often associated with the practice of exorcism or the removal of perceived spiritual or physical ailments caused by malevolent forces or spirits. The practitioners, often referred to as "mananambal" or "healers," employ a combination of prayer, incantations, herbal remedies, and sometimes physical manipulation to address the afflicted individual's condition.

The process of tingumine can vary greatly depending on the specific healer, the perceived cause of the affliction, and the local traditions. It may involve the use of blessed water, oil, salt, or specific herbs believed to possess protective or healing properties. The healer often enters a trance-like state or engages in fervent prayer to communicate with or appeal to higher powers for intervention.

Tingumine is deeply rooted in indigenous beliefs and the syncretic blending of pre-colonial animistic practices with Catholicism. While scientific medical treatments are widely available and encouraged, tingumine persists as a cultural practice, often sought by individuals who feel conventional medicine has failed them or when their ailments are attributed to supernatural causes. The effectiveness of tingumine is largely subjective and relies on faith and belief in its spiritual efficacy.