What+is+Blekes?

**What is Blekis?**


Blekis is the T'boli word for their skin condition called Tinea imbricata. In some countries it is also known as the Tokelau ringworm. Tinea imbricata is a chronic superficial fungal infection that causes generalized and highly ornate circular to serpentine reddish patterns in the skin of affected individuals with generalized scaling/ exfoliation. It is caused by the fungus //Trichophyton concentricum//.

In many countries where this disease is prevalent, indigenous groups are almost exclusively affected. In the Philippines, tinea imbricata was reported among the T'bolis of Sarangani and the Badjaos of Zamboanga.