IN THE days of our grandparents, a “serohano” (a.k.a “herbolario’ or “manugbulong”) was a respected member of the community. In barrios, haciendas, and puroks far from the clinic or hospital, this “serohano” was considered as the first person who could possibly cure any illness attacking the patient.
The “serohanos” are not doctors. Some of them have not even completed their primary education. They have not scientifically studied the parts of the human body and they do not have the knowledge of the function of each system. If a patient is brought to them, they would simply feel the pulse and diagnosis follows. Our grandparents call the process, “de pulso.”
In our era, there are only a few “serohanos.” Young parents would prefer to bring their children to health centers, government hospitals, or to the specialists in private clinics or hospitals. In some remote barangays, parents still trust the services of the “serohanos.” It has become also an urban legend that if the doctors cannot cure the ailment of the patient, someone will recommend to see a particular “serohano” as the last option.
How does one become a “serohano”? One becomes a “serohano” because God allows him to receive special gifts of healing. Science may disagree with this, and some religions will even consider the acts of “serohanos” as diabolical. Let us not be judgmental in this area. Let us consider the “literary value” of our belief.
Not all “serohanos” receive special gifts from God. Many of them become “chosen successors” before the death of a “serohano” who is a member of the family. The “chosen one” could only proceed if he has the willingness to accept the challenges ahead of him. Before the death of the senior “serohano,” he gives his successor instructions on the kind of life waiting for the “serohano.”
If everything has been cleared, the “pabatak-dungan” (leveling off with a “serohano”) is fulfilled. The candidate raises a black pig until the animal reaches the seventh year. In a “pabatak-dungan” ritual, the pig is butchered. The senior “serohano” (serohano mayor) administers the ceremony. He presents the candidate to his fairy friends. Usually, the rite is done under a fairy’s sacred tree (dapdap, lunok) or near the river bank with a bamboo grove.
The butchered pig is cooked in two parts. The first part is cooked with salt and other ingredients. The different menus are to be shared by the limited invited guests. The second half is cooked without salt. It will be feasted by the fairies and company. During the “banquet with the fairies,” the would-be-“serohano” will have a dialog with the “unseen creatures” (beautiful, ugly, small, big, short, tall, fat, thin)
This “visual confrontation” will test the guts of the candidate. Some creatures are more than just naughty. They can be stupid. They even invite the candidate to have a race up to the top of the highest bamboo or have a wrestling match at the river bank. A temptress fairy could even invite the candidate to her mansion and seduce him to eat that delicious wriggling rice. If the candidate gives in, that could be his end. He would not be able to find his way back home.
(Going back to the fairy banquet). In that cordial conference, the fairies will be given a chance to scrutinize the candidate. If he qualifies, then the “serohano mayor” is given the signal to allow his candidate to open his mind for the inputs of the fairies. To an observer, the candidate looks like “buang” (someone who is out of his mind). He laughs. He cries. He calls out names. He giggles. If he is full, he faints and wakes up later with a terrible headache.
From then on, he will always receive “visitors” in his home who will teach him the A-B-C of healing. His wife and children should understand the abnormal behavior of the husband (father). Neighbors who do not know the real score will begin to suspect that something is wrong with him and he is dangerous.
Ultimately, this budding “serohano” will identify herbs that would cure illnesses. He will start receiving patients from the community... and later on, from other places. He could be expert in not so complicated illnesses. In serious cases, he would need the assistance of his “unseen associates”. Sometimes he will utter some words not common to the ordinary ears.
He will require some of his patients to sacrifice open range chicken under a sacred tree of his choice and in extreme cases; a black pig should be butchered for the “banquet of the fairies.” The spirit or the fairy that caused harm to the patient will be invited in that “banquet” for the “win-win compromises.” Things may work as planned, or the situation could worsen that it would even cause the death of a “serohano.”
That is the reason why a “serohano” needs a “Viernes Santo” journey to strengthen his skill and gain more wisdom to prepare for the inevitable. (To be continued)