Healing and Surgical Practices of the Tigtahi of Baybay City, Leyte vis-à-vis Perspectives in Veterinary Medicine

Abstract

For centuries, the bloody animal sport of sabong (cockfighting) has been practiced worldwide, especially in the Philippines. However, very little is known about the tigtahi (folk fighting cock medics)—individuals usually found just outside the cockpit arena, tasked with sewing lacerations sustained by game fowls in battle. Using the snowball sampling technique, five well-known tigtahi were identified through sabong aficionados, agrivet store owners, and their employees who were familiar with specific barangays, cockpits, and customers handled by the tigtahi in Baybay City in the Province of Leyte. This study utilized grounded theory to analyze the interview results and gap analysis theory to understand the discrepancy between the work of the tigtahi and the veterinarians. This study was divided into two parts. The first part is on the healing and surgical practices of the tigtahi, including 1) their early exposure to sabong; 2) using herbal plants, local ingredients, and agrivet products; 3) different healing and surgical techniques; 4) pananahi as a source of income; 5) some advantages and disadvantages of being a tigtahi; and 6) ethics. The second part delves into gaps between the tigtahi and the veterinarians involving the use of herbal plants, aseptic technique procedures, and antibiotics.