Authored by, Master Himala Pahadi
Witchcraft, a subject often shrouded in secrecy and deemed a taboo in modern Filipino society, traces its origins back to the distant reaches of the country's prehistoric past. Like ancient hand-painted murals on Paleolithic cave walls, the lore of witchcraft has been deeply etched into the cultural fabric of the Philippines, inviting those with a thirst for exploration into its timeless and enchanting realms. Despite periods of decline, this mystical world continues to captivate the curious, beckoning them to delve into its mysterious shadows.
Among the intriguing facets of Filipino culture are the shamans, figures with a long and captivating history. Known by various names and playing diverse roles within their communities, the babaylan emerge as the foremost shamans in pre-historical and pre-colonial eras. As native priests, they wove their magic through divination and rituals, practicing their craft within small, sophisticated communities and early polities that flourished with their distinct cultures, governments, religions, and social systems.
Highly revered, these babaylan formed the bedrock of the country's pre-colonial and prehistoric religions. As different peoples migrated across regions in the Asia-Pacific, they brought with them various religious practices, ranging from animism, anitism, and indigenous beliefs to influences from early Hindu-Buddhism and Islam. The religious tapestry of that era is a subject of debate, as there might have been countless other obscure faiths practiced by the multiple nation-states.
Found across distinct local indigenous and ethnic groups, these shamans assumed various names such as Maaram in Hiligaynon, Mamalak in Ivatan, Katalonan in Tagalog, and Anitu among the Aeta. While their roles and status varied from place to place, they shared certain commonalities.
During pre-historical and pre-colonial times, Filipino societies embraced gender-based egalitarian systems, wherein socioeconomic and sociopolitical roles were equally distributed between men and women. Thus, the duties of being a shaman were often carried out by women or men adopting feminine attire. The women of that age wielded power equal to that of men, assuming vital roles for the welfare of their communities. Remarkably, despite predominantly male noblemen serving as community leaders, it was the women who were preferred as leaders in various fields, including military, diplomacy, medicine, religion, and warfare.
As we venture deeper into the tapestry of Filipino history, the enigmatic world of witchcraft and the revered shamans beckons us to unravel the threads of tradition and unearth the secrets of a bygone era.
The fact that the country has consistently been one of the highest when it comes to the Global Gender Gap Report means that modern Filipinos still uphold this certain way of mindset and culture.
Throughout the rich tapestry of Filipino history, shamans have assumed multifaceted roles and responsibilities within their communities. As interim political leaders, they provided guidance and direction during times of turmoil. They displayed their prowess on the battlefield, serving as both generals and medics in the throes of warfare. As spiritual leaders, they navigated the realms of both the living and the deceased, masterfully guiding spirits with their ancient wisdom. Their skills extended to the art of divination, unravelling the threads of fate and foreseeing the future. They were experts in herbalism, wielding knowledge of local plants, seeds, elixirs, and potions, which continue to find relevance even in modern times.
Though not seen as miracle workers, the shaman's healing prowess held immense value in an era lacking the scientific advancements of modern medicine. Their herbal and medicinal practices have endured the test of time and still bear positive effects when applied effectively. For a comprehensive list of medicinal herbs and plants used in the Philippines' medical industry, one can refer to the country's industry site on natural health products.
Elevated to their esteemed positions based on expertise, status within the social hierarchy, and personal wealth, shamans played multiple roles beyond their spiritual calling. Depending on the needs of their communities and the diversity of ethnic tribes, they could be found as merchants, warriors, farmers, fisherfolks, blacksmiths, crafts masters, weavers, potters, musicians, and even serving as barbers or cooks. The shaman's array of responsibilities was influenced by their own skills and inclinations, as well as the demands of their people.
Caretakers of spirits and souls, shamans delved into the ancient Austronesian belief of soul dualism. Every individual was believed to possess "twin souls," representing the breath of life and the astral soul. Spiritual illnesses occurred when the astral soul separated from its mortal counterpart, leading to severe discomfort and afflictions. As masters of spirits and souls, shamans performed intricate rituals to heal the affected individuals, safeguarding their souls from malevolent spirits and other sorcerers' clutches.
Serving as intermediaries between the material world and the realm of spirits, shamans communicated with the spirits of the earth, offering guidance and protection. Some spirits were enlisted for their aid, while others were kept for personal use or disposal, depending on the shaman's intent.
Skilled wielders of magic, shamans possessed the power of sorcery, controlling the physical world through incantations, talismans, medallions, potions, and spirit intermediaries. They acted as guardians against dark arts propagated by witches, sorcerers, and rival shamans. During tribal warfare, they not only supported warrior-generals but also tended to the wounded and deflected spells cast by enemy shamans, serving as anti-spell units.
The journey to becoming a shaman was no easy feat, beginning in youth as apprentices under experienced shamans. The final calling came with the onset of what was known as a "shaman's illness," marking the start of their arduous initiation into the world of the spirits, an initiation that would shape their destinies as revered shamans of their communities.
In the realm of shamans and witches in the Philippines, the paths they walk are divergent and fraught with complexities. For a shaman, the journey to becoming a revered figure within the community begins with an intense initiation. This process entails experiencing an illness that embodies the essence of death itself. Only those who emerge from this trial, able to heal themselves through their strong ties to the spirits, are deemed ready to embark on the mantle of a shaman. Surviving apprentices then spend their lives honing their skills and powers, shouldering the weighty responsibility bestowed upon them.
Elevated to an almost noble-like status, shamans bear the weight of immense duties, serving as leaders, healers, spiritual guides, and sources of wisdom for their communities. With high levels of skill in divination, magic, and spiritual grounding, they command respect and admiration. Yet, this coveted "occupation" comes with varying prices and perils, often revealing itself as a double-edged sword. While they may not seek conflict, they are formidable adversaries when wronged, possessing the ability to wield potent spells against those who provoke their wrath.
Witches, on the other hand, diverge significantly from their Western counterparts. In Filipino folklore, they are depicted as malevolent and dangerous, the antithesis of shamans. Unlike shamans, witches are known to be solitary and often harbor vengeful and hostile tendencies. Their affiliation is not governed by forming covens, and they can shift between the roles of a shaman and a witch depending on their preferences and reasons. In the guise of "miracle" workers, witch doctors, herbalists, or ordinary individuals, they live among the common folk, camouflaging their true nature.
Witches come from various ethnic, regional, and historical backgrounds, and their gender does not restrict their association with this path. It is crucial to note that they are essentially ordinary people leading normal lives, and the assumption that witches are inherently evil oversimplifies their complexities. However, they have been known to practice dark arts and black magic, often passing down these malevolent arts through generations. When faced with severe wrongdoings against themselves or their loved ones, witches may respond aggressively, casting destructive spells upon their adversaries as an act of "justice."
While both shamans and witches master the realm of spirits and souls, they differ in their intentions and actions. Shamans work towards healing and protection, while witches employ their powers for personal benefit, often resorting to corrupting and manipulating spirits. These spirits may serve as tools, guardians, protectors, or even spies, aiding the witch in their endeavors, whether for retribution or safeguarding against rival spellcasters.
In the intricate tapestry of Philippine folklore, the paths of shamans and witches intertwine and diverge, revealing a world brimming with mystique, power, and the ever-present interplay between light and shadow.
In the realm of witchcraft in the Philippines, spells cast by witches are of a destructive nature, often employing poppets and dolls in rituals to afflict unknown illnesses or bizarre ailments on their victims. Their powers are formidable, enabling them to deflect anti-spells cast by shamans and healers. Historical encounters with early colonial Spanish visitors suggest that native priests used sorcery and magic against them, possibly in retaliation.
Witches are known to use arcane potions, dark talismans, dolls, and bodily exuviae, among other tools, to achieve their malevolent purposes. The severity of the spells corresponds to the gravity of the wrongdoings committed by the target. At times, witches have even been known to cast spells on malevolent spirits and wild animals to attack and harm their foes. In certain cases, they may cast spells on themselves to transform into mysterious and dangerous entities.
Nevertheless, their spells can often be deflected by other powerful shamans, healers, or sorcerers. If confronted with a stronger adversary, the spells cast by witches may backfire, resulting in the witch experiencing the very agony or fate they intended for others. Appeasement, seeking forgiveness, and making amends are potential remedies when confronted by a witch's wrath.
Witches can also be former shamans and healers who have fallen from grace due to various reasons. They may have been wronged or victimized, or they may simply have been driven to turn against the people they once served due to certain circumstances. Such transitions to the dark side are justified in their eyes, and their mastery of sorcery makes this transformation even more potent.
Aswang, a broad term encompassing malevolent beings in Filipino folklore, are shape-shifting entities such as vampires, ghouls, witches, and human-animal hybrids. They draw power from feeding on humans and are known by various names depending on the form they take.
The belief in witchcraft and the practices of albularyos, or witch doctors, persist in modern Filipino society, especially in rural and closed-off communities. These beliefs may be regarded as absurd by some, but they remain deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric. The role of albularyos as healers and their mystical methods often serve as a last resort for impoverished communities seeking hope and miracles in their healing processes. While these beliefs strengthen community camaraderie, they also pose risks, leaving people vulnerable to scams and exploitation.
Through the portrayal of witchcraft in various media, such as the film "Folklore" and the character of an ongo in "Nocebo," the prevailing belief in witchcraft is depicted, shedding light on the complex nature of justice and morality in modern Filipino society. While these beliefs can be a source of unity, they also come with a multifaceted impact on the lives of the Filipino people.
In the present day, shamanism and witchcraft in the Philippines carry a negative connotation, particularly among the common folk. The practice is often perceived as a rebellious act against organized religion, which holds significant sway in the country's conservative culture. However, it was not always this way. In the pre-history and pre-colonial era, magic and sorcery were revered, and those who served as intermediaries between spirits and humans were respected as noble bards, healers, and leaders among the Filipino communities.
The shift in perception towards these practices can be traced back to external influences brought about by colonization and the spread of different religions in the archipelago, including Christian Catholicism, Hinduism, and Islam. Colonizers sought to establish their religious beliefs firmly and managed to weaken the political power of spiritual leaders, leading to a decline in the popularity of witches and shamans.
Despite attempts to suppress these strong superstitious beliefs, the colonizers found it challenging to erase the deeply ingrained folkloric beings from the native consciousness. The constant persecution, changing societal norms, and rapid modernization eventually resulted in a significant decline of shamans and witches. Through various historical influences, from Asiatic cultures to Spanish conquest, American indoctrination, Japanese occupation, World War II, and the transitions between different republics, the remnants of their legacies still manage to persist in some form to this day.
The rise of skepticism and scientific progress further impacted these beliefs, relegating them to become cultural aspects and traditions that still linger in the collective memory of those who long for the past. Although not fully forgotten, they are not fully acknowledged either. However, in rural communities and Indigenous lands, these practices continue to be upheld and passed down through generations.
Despite their decline, these traditional beliefs continue to serve as cautionary tales deeply embedded within Filipino society. They remind people never to wrong or harm others, even if they are strangers. While no longer at the forefront of cultural practices, the essence of shamanism and witchcraft endures as a cultural thread woven into the fabric of Filipino heritage, preserving stories of a bygone era and imparting important lessons for generations to come.
Credits: The article's image was created in https://app.leonardo.ai
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