Abdel Khann A. Tan
“The Tausug Feeding Practices: Its Implications on Child’s Health
and Nutrition”
This
ethnographic study presents the practices of the Tausugs on infant
feeding. It outlines the factors that influenced these practices by
providing assessments of its implications on child’s health and
nutrition.
This study aims to enlighten the readers in understanding the Tausug
concept of feeding practices and its Islamic components. This is
considered beneficial to the parents, particularly the mothers who
will understand these feeding practices. Schools and universities
will also benefit from this study as this can enrich their
references on child’s nutrition. Finally, the study contributes to
a body of indigenous knowledge with implications on child’s health.
The study employed interviews with key informants in Jolo town.
The following persons were included as respondents to the study:
Mothers and health professionals who are well-grounded about this
subject.
Like other Muslim tribes in Mindanao, the Tausug have their own
practices with regards to feeding practices in the light of their
Adat (customary practice) and their religion – Islam. Moreover,
their feeding practices (which blended with modern, Adat, and
Islamic influence) are influenced by several factors that triggered
growth as well as malnutrition among the children. Foremost of
these factors are their cultural practices on feeding and eating,
followed by poverty, government policies on children, nutritional
awareness among parents, and their environments as well. Despite
the influence of these factors, malnutrition problem is minimal.
This is because Sulu is rich in natural resources that provide
nourishments for the children. However, mothers do not know how to
maximize the use of these resources. Hence, there is need to
educate the Tausug mothers.▼ |
