Authors : Juvelyn R. Lindong; Zaldy B. Biñas; Christine M. Deocampo

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 5 - May

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3w9shkcv

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/4b2mz7kj

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26May1746

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : This study explored the superstitious beliefs of fisherfolk communities in coastal barangays of Iloilo and how these beliefs shaped their daily practices, cultural identity, and interactions with the environment. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, the study documented the beliefs, traced their generational transmission, and analyzed their meanings and social functions through thematic and narrative methods. Five key themes emerged, including caution and silence, protective rituals, sacred timing, symbolic objects, and spiritual omens, which revealed how deeply embedded these beliefs were in the community’s worldview. Despite lacking a scientific basis, they endured through oral tradition and shared experiences, providing structure, emotional comfort, and ecological wisdom. The study concluded that these beliefs were vital cultural tools that guided behavior, preserved ancestral knowledge, and fostered resilience. It recommended their recognition and integration into cultural education, conservation programs, and sustainable development initiatives to ensure their preservation and continued relevance in modern community life.

Keywords : Superstitious Belief; Fisherfolk Communities; Indigenous Knowledge; Cultural Practices; Phenomenological Study.

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