Sacred Farewell: An Ethnographic Study of Kagan Tribe Burial Tradition and Practices

Abstract

This descriptive ethnographic study examined the funerary practices of the Kagan community in Casoon, Monkayo, Davao de Oro, with emphasis on how Islamic teachings have reshaped their indigenous traditions. Guided by key informant interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, the research involved selected Kagan elders, religious leaders, and community members who shared narratives on past and present burial customs. Findings reveal a significant shift from ancestral rituals toward practices aligned with Qur’anic injunctions, the Hadith, and the Sunnah. Traditional elements—such as the chanting of prophets’ names, the placement of kilah flowers, and the kuwas soil ceremony—have largely disappeared in favor of standardized Islamic procedures supported by increased access to formal Islamic education and madrasah-trained leaders. The community now adopts Islamic protocols, including gender-specific washing, the use of prescribed materials, Salat al-Janazah, and burial within 24 hours. These changes illustrate a deliberate realignment of cultural identity toward Islamic orthodoxy. The study highlights how religious education and leadership drive cultural transformation, contributing to broader discussions on faith, identity, and the evolving practices of indigenous Muslim communities in Mindanao.