Cholera and folklore

By Christian George Acevedo

Before COVID-19 swept the world with its unprecedented disruption, there was the cholera outbreak which wrought havoc from the 19^th century until the early 20^th century. Our ancestors’ experiences during this dark era gave rise to stories and beliefs in an effort to explain the unknown.

Before germ theory became widely understood in the Philippines, cholera outbreaks were often explained through folklore and spiritual beliefs rather than microorganisms. Communities relied on their existing cultural knowledge to make sense of a frightening disease that spread rapidly and seemed to strike without warning. Several folk explanations emerged, varying across regions and ethnolinguistic groups.

One of the most widespread beliefs was that epidemics were caused by malevolent spirits or wandering supernatural beings. In many Tagalog communities, people believed that illnesses sweeping through entire villages were the work of unseen entities that became angered after humans disturbed sacred places, cut down ancient trees, or violated customary taboos. To appease these spirits, families would offer food, prayers, or perform rituals led by traditional healers.

The people of Capiz attributed the cholera to the three  evil  spirits  which  poison  the  people. In Iloilo, the folks thought it was a giant that dropped poison on the waterways at night, while the Sulud people of Panay believed that cholera and other epidemics were caused by spirits called  ibabawnon.  In  the  town  of Sibalom in Antique province, it was said that cholera was caused by black magic that engulfed the locals after a priest and his servant visited the community. Others alleged that people in the community vomit, endured loose bowel, and suddenly died after being touched by a man on the loose. Rumors also spread that powders were spread on the streets and anyone who stepped on it met their death right there and then.  The  superstitious  also  warned  against  drinking  of boiled water, lest one suffers from hair fall; that a black dog which runs around spreads the virus. In the province  of  Basilan,  the  natives  believed  that  the spirits   were   against   them,   thus,   they   dumped boatloads of food to the sea to appease the spirits and allow  them  to  live  in  peace.

Modern science has since established that cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which spreads primarily through water or food contaminated with infected feces. Poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, and inadequate hygiene create conditions that allow the disease to spread rapidly. Prevention depends on access to clean water, proper sanitation, handwashing, safe food handling, and, in some settings, oral cholera vaccination.

The contrast between folklore and scientific understanding offers a valuable lesson in ethnoscience. While folk beliefs reflect how people interpreted disease through their cultural worldview, science explains the biological mechanisms behind transmission and prevention. Studying both perspectives allows us to appreciate how societies have continually sought to understand illness, while recognizing the importance of evidence-based public health measures in protecting communities today.

Hocus FOLKus explores our fascinating folklore – a product of generations of observations, of stories passed down in the community across generations. Each column begins with a familiar belief, tale, or cultural tradition and explores how communities have long interpreted our world through observation, experience, and storytelling. Rather than choosing between myth and science, Hocus FOLKus celebrates both as meaningful ways of understanding our world, inviting readers to appreciate the wisdom embedded in our cultural heritage while discovering the scientific truths behind everyday wonders.