The Kalinga traditional concept of health is encompassed in the word “Mallin-awa”, which constitutes one’s physical, mental, and spiritual dispositions.

 

The most significant essence of the word “Mallin-awa" is the practice of Spiritual Balance which defines one’s personal attitude, purpose, and direction in life. Hence, the Kalingas believe that health is much more defined in the Balance Disposition of one’s spirit of life. Furthermore, one’s spirit dominates and determines the body’s physical and mental dispositions.

 

In real life experiences, health imbalance is caused by extreme situations of sadness, joy and success during grand community celebrations, distress, unprecedented deaths, or unexplained success according to Kalinga beliefs and tradition. It is believed that one’s spirit is disturbed leading to an abnormal disposition, and prompting one’s spirit to wander outside the Community. Thus, to bring them back home to a normal and healthy disposition, there is an exigent need for a Palin-awa Celebration, one led by the Spiritual Community Intercessor, Man-aalisig or Padchangayan,  in the Kalinga Community.