Pongumanon: An Archetypal Analysis of Tinonanon Manobo Folktales in Southern Philippines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/ajac.2027.190Keywords:
Archetypal analysis, Indigenous oral traditions, Philippine indigenous folktales, Tinonanon Manobo PongumanonAbstract
This study addresses the need to preserve the ethnolinguistic literature of the Philippines, focusing on the folktales (pongumanon) of the Tinonanon Manobo Tribe from Arakan, Cotabato, Southern Philippines. Using archetypal analysis, it examines recurring patterns, characters, and symbols in five folktales collected from Tinonanon Manobo elders aged 40 and above. The stories analyzed include: “Pongumanon Ki Apo Motuwangod” (The Story of Apo Motuwangod), “Pongumanon Ki Oret” (The Story of Oret), “Diyon Kippot Ki Juan” (The Story of Juan), “Pongumanon to Sinuyatan” (The Story of Sinuyatan), and “Sokkad no Baow” (A Widow). The analysis reveals that the Tinonanon Manobo value cooperation, moral integrity, and resilience, with a belief that good deeds bring success and malevolent actions lead to failure. The stories also highlight the community’s deep faith in miracles, deities, and spirits, and emphasize virtues like gratitude and nurturing. This research showcases the cultural richness of the Tinonanon Manobo, reaffirming the importance of preserving their oral traditions. Crucially, these narratives serve as a repository of the community’s moral values, worldview, relationship with nature, and cultural identity. While deeply localized, these structural values have potential relevance to the broader international frameworks of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly regarding cultural sustainability and environmental harmony. This study seeks to support the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous oral traditions by providing a systematic interpretive framework for localized heritage. Ultimately, the study contributes to ensuring the continuity and appreciation of Tinonanon Manobo folktales for future generations.
Highlights
• Archetypal Analysis of Indigenous Folktales. Explores the Tinonanon Manobo folktales (pongumanon) using Carl Jung’s archetypal theory to uncover recurring patterns, characters, and symbols that shape the community’s cultural identity.
• Cultural Preservation and Revitalization. The study emphasizes the importance of preserving indigenous oral traditions in the face of modernization and globalization, ensuring the survival of the Tinonanon Manobo’s rich cultural heritage.
• Moral and Ethical Insights. Through the analysis of folktales, the research highlights key values such as generosity, obedience, faith, and resilience that are integral to the Tinonanon Manobo worldview and community cohesion.
• Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals. This research supports the United Nations SDGs by promoting indigenous literacy (SDG 4), preserving cultural heritage (SDG 11), and safeguarding indigenous knowledge (SDG 16).
• Methodological Innovation. Combines qualitative research methods with archetypal analysis, offering a unique approach to studying the symbolic and cultural meanings embedded in indigenous folktales.
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