Mananambal

A mananambal is a traditional healer of the Visayas. In Cebu, the word is used where other regions say albularyo, and the work is called panambal. People become healers in one of three ways: through family, through apprenticeship, or through a sudden calling. Many healers are older people, and both women and men practice.

People visit a mananambal for ordinary problems, such as headache, fever, toothache, wounds and infections. They also go for illnesses that they think spirits caused. Some seek help with love, marriage or friendship. Treatments include herbal medicine and short healing prayers called orasyon, which come from a little prayer book. The prayers themselves are not given here.

Writers note that the practice mixes Catholic faith with older ideas, and some say it includes sorcery. They link this mix to Spanish rule and to older island belief. Because of the sorcery side, the mananambal is a figure of both trust and fear.

The practice continues today. A 1997 Philippine law on traditional and alternative medicine recognized such healing. For serious illness, a doctor is still the safe first step.