*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

“Nahahandal ako.”

“Dai kaipuhan, aki. Mangyayari an mga muya kan espiritu.”

“Ano an mangyayari sa sakuya?”

“Kitang duwa maduman sa puon kan Balete, asin babayaan taka duman. Matindog ka sa irarom kan puon sagkod dadarahun ka sa itaas kan kinaban pati na sa irarom kaini.”

“Tano?”

“Ngarig mabuhay kang liwat.”

“Makulugan daw ako?”

“Da… dai ko rumdom. Haluy na kan ako nag agi sa sakuyang reinkarnasyon. Pero dai ka maghandal, aki. Ipapahiling ninda saimo an kinaban.”

“Iyo ba iyan an rason kun tano ika nakakalayog?”

“Iyo, aki. Iyan sagkod kadakol pa. Hale ako sa kairaruman kan dagat pati na sa kalaog-laogan kan mga taho. Nakaulay ko na an mga kalag sa kinaban na ini asin sa minasunod pa. Nagbiyahe ako sa mga lugar na mayo ni isay ang makakahiling pa. Asin ako pagalun na.”

“Yaon na kita.”

“Danguga an mga kalag. Sinda an ma giya saimo arog kan pag giya ninda sa sakuya.”

“Maghilingan pa daw kita?”

“Sisay nakakaaram kun ano an itutugot kan mga espiritu? Paaram aki, ibabaya ko an sakong mga taho saimo.”

“Paaram, Lola.”

An duros dagos na nagtama sa aki habang siya nakatukaw sa irarom kan puon kan Balete. Mga aldaw na uminabot nin mga semana asin dai siya naghiro ni sarong pulgada. An mga inagihan siya, aram na dai dapat istorbohun an inaagi niya. Kan natapos an huring banggi para magtaong dalan sa bagong aga, tuminindog siya asin luhay na nagpasalamat sa mga espiritu.

An saiyang bagong mga mata lugod na nahiling an kinaban na nungka niya nahiling sa dati niyang buhay. Dai siya nakaisip mag ngirit.

Ugwa pa siyang gibo na kaipuhan matapos.

=—————————=

English Version

“I’m scared.”

“You don’t need to be, child. The spirits will do as they will.”

“What will happen to me?”

“We will both go to the Balete tree and I will leave you there. You will sit underneath the tree and be taken to the Skyworld and the Lower World.”

“Why?”

“To be reborn.”

“Will it hurt?”

“I…. don’t remember. It has been so long since I went through my initiation. Don’t be scared child, they will let you see a new world.”

“Is that why you can fly?”

“Yes, child. That and much more. I have been to the depths of the sea and inside the bodies of humans. I have spoken to the spirits in this world and the next. I have traveled to places that no human will ever see again. And I am tired.”

“We are here.”

“Listen to the spirits. They will guide you as they have guided me all my life.”

“Will I see you again?”

“Who knows what the spirits will allow? Goodbye child, I leave my people to you.”

“Goodbye, Lola.”

The winds buffeted the girl as she sat beneath the Balete tree. The days stretched into weeks and she did not move a single inch. Those that passed by knew better than to interrupt her journey. When the last night finally gave way to a new dawn she stood up and quietly thanked the spirits.

Her new eyes finally saw the invisible world that surrounded her old life. She did not think to smile.

She had work that needed to be done.

————————–————————–————————–—–

*Central Bicol, commonly called Bicol Naga, is the most-spoken language in the Bicol Region of southern Luzon, Philippines. It is spoken in the northern and western part of Camarines Sur, second congressional district of Camarines Norte, eastern part of Albay, northeastern part of Sorsogon, San Pascual town in Masbate, and southwestern part of Catanduanes. Central Bicol speakers can be found in all provinces of Bicol and it is a majority language in Camarines Sur.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Bicol Translation by Sam Jornales
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Sam Jornales

Inspired by the Baylan initiation ritual as described in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Babaylan Illustration by emirajuju
IG: https://www.instagram.com/emirajuju/

Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
FB: Wildling Child
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wildlingchild/

The post Babaylan – Bicol Naga Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Hanunoo

“magkadala ako”

“ Danga mag kadala, nak. Ti mga ispiritu buwaton nida kanda gusto.

“Uno ti mangyari aa kangko?”

“ Atag kita duwa sa luon balete bag o tayakan kawo niko ati. Mantukaw kawo sa arani bahe bag o bul on kawo tag sa tungod pag mundo ag sa sirung mundo.”

“Hayga”

“ para mabuhi maan.”

“Natay masakit hida?”

“ Ako…unman mag tanda. Dugay ye simula ako ay inmantag sa daniwan. Danga magkadala nak, ipakit nida sa kanmu ti bag o pag mundo.”

“ hida aw nakan kawo mag layang?”

“Ho, nak. Hida ngani bag o adok. Naktan ye niko ti sirung sirung dagat sa sulud tawo. Naka bagawan ye niko ti mga ispiritu sitay pag mundo ag kay kasunod. Naka atag ye ako sa lugar na ti tawo udye mag aktan. Ag napagod aku.

“Atay ye kita”
“ Pakidnog sa mga ispiritu. Mang alalay sida sa kanmu katida di man na inalalayan nida ako sa buong buhi niko.

“Maktan waya aw kawo niko?”

“Unman may alam no ti ispiritu payag?. Amt amat ye ako nak. Tayakan niko kang mga tawo sa kanmu.”

“ Ho paalam ye, idu.”

“ Ti arayhay maghampak sa bilog babaye habang nakatukaw siya arani sa puon balete. Ti sirang hanggan di naging  linggo unman siya nangimot una di usa ka sukat inaina. Ti mga maglawoy alam nida kaysa labuton siya sa kanya pag mga lalakawon. Naan kapira ti uryan yabi in mapot ye hanggan di sa madlom surip siya ay nan tindog ag nagpasalamat sa mga ispiritu.”

“ Kanya pag bag o mata ay maghiling ye mga unman mag aktan tawo pag mundo na nakapalibot sa kanya pag gurangon buhay. Unman siya nangasari.

“May mga buruwaton waya siya na kailangan mabwat.”

=——————————————-=

English Version

“I’m scared.”

“You don’t need to be, child. The spirits will do as they will.”
“What will happen to me?”

“We will both go to the Balete tree and I will leave you there. You will sit underneath the tree and be taken to the Skyworld and the Lower World.”

“Why?”

“To be reborn.”

“Will it hurt?”

“I…. don’t remember. It has been so long since I went through my initiation. Don’t be scared child, they will let you see a new world.”

“Is that why you can fly?”

“Yes, child. That and much more. I have been to the depths of the sea and inside the bodies of humans. I have spoken to the spirits in this world and the next. I have traveled to places that no human will ever see again. And I am tired.”

“We are here.”

“Listen to the spirits. They will guide you as they have guided me all my life.”

“Will I see you again?”

“Who knows what the spirits will allow? Goodbye child, I leave my people to you.”

“Goodbye, Lola.”

The winds buffeted the girl as she sat beneath the Balete tree. The days stretched into weeks and she did not move a single inch. Those that passed by knew better than to interrupt her journey. When the last night finally gave way to a new dawn she stood up and quietly thanked the spirits.

Her new eyes finally saw the invisible world that surrounded her old life. She did not think to smile.

She had work that needed to be done.

*Hanunoo, or Hanunó’o (IPA: [hanunuʔɔ]), is a language spoken by Mangyans in the island of Mindoro, Philippines.

It is written in the Hanunoo script.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Hiligaynon translation by Kevin Uybad
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Kevin Uybad

Inspired by the Baylan initiation ritual as described in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Babaylan Illustration by emirajuju
IG: https://www.instagram.com/emirajuju/

Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
FB: Wildling Child
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wildlingchild/

The post Babaylan – Hanunoo Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Ilang araw na rin ang nakalipas mula nang magkasakit ako.

Sabi nila, may ginawa ako para galitin ang mga espiritu. Subalit hindi ko magagawa iyon, bagamat kung meron, may kadahilanan.

Alam ko na dapat ay hindi na ako lumabas pa. Hindi ko kinahiligan ang kahit na anong bagay na hinggil sa kalikasan. At marahil pagkatapos nito, hindi ko na rin siguro nanaiisin ang kahit na anong bagay na may kinalaman dito

Napahinga ako ng malalim nang dumaan ang babaylan.

Mariin kong pinagmamasdan kung ano ang ginagawa niya sa gitna ng ritwal. Humingi siya ng isang palayok na kayang maglaman ng isang salóp o tatlong litro. Pagkatapos ay kinailangan niya ng mga basag na porselang plato kung saan nilagay niya ito sa loob ng palayok.

Pagkatapos noon ay tinawag niya ang lolid.

Isa sa mga gabay ang nagsabi sa akin na nasa maling lugar at panahon ako. Ang mga lolid ay mga hindi nakikitang espiritu na gumagapang kung saan-saan dahil wala silang mga paa. Hindi posible para sa akin na makita sila.

Kinalog ng babaylan ang palayok at sumigaw siya habang sambit ang mga sumusunod na kataga.

“Do-ol na kamong mga lolid nga natomban”

(Pumarito kayo mga hindi nakikitang nilalang na nagambala)

“Ari na ang among guibayad”

(Narito na ang inyong kabayaran)

“Kuha-a na ang inyong kaligotgot sa mada-oton”

(Alisin ang inyong galit sa pasyente)

“Ari na kamo ug uban kanako didto sa kawayanan”

(Lumapit kayo ngayon at magtungo tayo sa kawayanan)

Kinakalog ng babaylan ang tangan nitong palayok habang palabas siya ng bahay. Nang makarating siya malapit sa kawayanan, nilapag niya ang palayok sa lupa at tinanggal ang takip bago umalis.

At sa pagkakataong iyon, natapos ang ritwal.

Ayon sa babaylan, aabutin pa nang ilang araw bago ako tuluyang gumaling. Gumaan ang pakiramdam ko sa sinabi niya at napabuntong-hininga na lang ako.

Mula sa karanasang ito, natununan ko ang isang mahalagay aral:

Mahalaga na tinitingnan ko ang dinadaanan ko.

=————————————————-=

English Version

It’s been days since I got sick.

They tell me that it’s because I did something to anger the spirits, but I know I would never do that, not knowingly at least.

I knew I never should have gone out, nature isn’t my thing and after this I don’t think it will ever be.

I breathe deep as the babaylan passes me.

I take special care to see what he does during the ritual. He asks for a pot with a capacity of one ganta. He then asks for broken china plates which he puts inside the pot.

Then he calls for the lolid.

One guide tells me that I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The lolid are invisible spirits that roll around because they have no limbs. It would have been impossible for me to see them.

The babaylan shakes the pot, causing a great commotion as he shouts:

“Do-ol na kamong mga lolid nga natomban

(Come here now invisible beings that were stepped)

Ari na ang among guibayad

(Here now is our payment)

Kuha-a na ang inyong kaligotgot sa mada-oton

(Remove now your anger from the patient)

Ari na kamo ug uban kanako didto sa kawayanan

(Come to me now and go with me to the bamboo thickets)”

The babaylan exits the house with the pot and shakes it until he reaches the bamboo groves close by. He places the pot on the ground and removes the cover as he leaves.

It is then that the ritual is completed.

The babaylan says that it will take a few days before I get better and I sigh with relief.

Coming from all this I know I learned one lesson:

I should watch where I step.

=————————————————————=

Inspired by The Bais Forest Preserve Negritos: Some Notes On Their Rituals and Ceremonials by Timoteo S. Oracion (1967) in Studies in Philippine Anthropology (In Honor of H. Otley Beyer)

Lolid Illustration by Leandro Geniston
FB: That Guy With A Pen

The post Lolid – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

It’s been days since I got sick.

They tell me that it’s because I did something to anger the spirits, but I know I would never do that, not knowingly at least.

I knew I never should have gone out, nature isn’t my thing and after this I don’t think it will ever be.

I breathe deep as the babaylan passes me.

I take special care to see what he does during the ritual. He asks for a pot with a capacity of one ganta. He then asks for broken china plates which he puts inside the pot.

Then he calls for the lolid.

One guide tells me that I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The lolid are invisible spirits that roll around because they have no limbs. It would have been impossible for me to see them.

The babaylan shakes the pot, causing a great commotion as he shouts:

“Do-ol na kamong mga lolid nga natomban

(Come here now invisible beings that were stepped)

Ari na ang among guibayad

(Here now is our payment)

Kuha-a na ang inyong kaligotgot sa mada-oton

(Remove now your anger from the patient)

Ari na kamo ug uban kanako didto sa kawayanan

(Come to me now and go with me to the bamboo thickets)”

The babaylan exits the house with the pot and shakes it until he reaches the bamboo groves close by. He places the pot on the ground and removes the cover as he leaves.

It is then that the ritual is completed.

The babaylan says that it will take a few days before I get better and I sigh with relief.

Coming from all this I know I learned one lesson:

I should watch where I step.

=———————————————=

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by The Bais Forest Preserve Negritos: Some Notes On Their Rituals and Ceremonials by Timoteo S. Oracion (1967) in Studies in Philippine Anthropology (In Honor of H. Otley Beyer)

Lolid Illustration by Leandro Geniston
FB: That Guy With A Pen

The post Lolid appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

Aguihao avoids the gaze of the mumbaki* as he clutches the fabric covering his right arm.

“I am amused by the nerve you have coming to me to ask for the spirit’s forgiveness,” the mumbaki says as he looks at Aguihao’s arm.

“I did what I needed to do for my family,” Aguihao answers, preferring to look at the ground than meet the mumbaki eye to eye. 

“You spit on the traditions of our ancestors! This is the way we have lived for generations and you dare question this?!”

“You don’t understand! You don’t know how lucky you are to let the spirits speak through you while those like me have to toil day after day because of your ‘laws’.” 

“Those laws are governed by the spirits, to go against them is to go against destiny.”

“Your destiny maybe, but not mine.”

A pang of silence fills the air and is broken by the mumbaki.

“Take it off,” he commands Aguihao. 

The layers of fabric give way to a swollen wound leaking pus. Aguihao’s face barely hides the pain and for the first time looks into the mumbaki’s eyes. There is pity there and a small twinge of regret.

“Tell me your story,” said the mumbaki.

“It started with the death of my wife.”

“I remember that. The mombangol** attended.”

“Yes, and I lost everything. I had to mortgage my property to find the funds for the vigil.”

“We all must follow the rituals. For five days pigs and carabaos must be offered to the gods and spirits.”

“It makes no sense to take from those who have nothing.”

“The soul is immortal. We must do all we can to make sure it finds its place in the life after this life.”

“For those five days we mourned her and sat her upon the hangdel***.”

“And you have done as you must do based on our traditions.”

“But it’s not fair! I have even less than what I had before.”

“This is not just about the vigil is it?”

“No, it is not.”

“Tell me the rest of your story.”

“I am the fifth child of my parents. They had worked tirelessly to save property for their children and through their trials they had accumulated five rice fields and forests. When my older brother was to be married, he got one half of three fourths of the property. And the rest was divided among my eldest sister and my other brother. They even gave my eldest sister the family home. The rest of us were left with nothing.”

“You tread on dangerous ground. Questioning this is acting against unity. One’s chance in life is but a small sacrifice to ensure that the traditions are upheld.”

“I am in a debt that will follow me until I die, that my children and their children will inherit. I did what I could to give them a chance.”

“Is that why you went to your brother’s house?”

“He has so much, he wouldn’t notice some money missing. I just needed a small amount.”

“And then the spirit caught you.”

“I did not know that my brother had the spirit invoked to protect his belongings.”

“Would you have tried to steal had you known?”

“Yes. If only for my family.”

Another spate of silence filled the room, but this time it was Aguihao that broke it.

“Goodbye, mumbaki. I can see it in your eyes that I have trespassed not only on my brother’s property but also on the traditions of our tribe. It is much too much to ask forgiveness for both, and this would be my penance.”

As Aguihao stood to walk away the mumbaki raised his hand.

“Stay,” the mumbaki intoned.
“Will you do the ritual then?” Aguihao asked.

“Do you know I am one of the last mumbaki among our provinces?”

“I have heard that less and less people were taking up the mantle of the mumbaki.”

“It may be the sign of the times, or maybe the spirits aren’t letting themselves be heard. The old ways are dying Aguihao. The young would rather have a piece of paper that says they are ‘educated’ than committing to learning the prayers and chants of our people. They speak to their god with three natures in one and worship in stone temples.”

“Is it their fault? What is there that is left for us here?”

“You may feel that there is nothing here, but the spirits echo loudest in the silence.”

The mumbaki stands up and clutches Aguihao’s arm.

“For now, we will need a chicken.” 

——————————————————————————————————————

*Mumbaki/Mombaki are shamans in Ifugao culture.

**The chief mumbaki.

***An improvised chair constructed under the house.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Pili description in Gibson’s Sacrifice and Sharing in the Philippine Highlands (London School of Economics Monographs on Social Anthropology,n.57); The Athlone Press: London, UK, 1986.

Pili Illustration by Alvin Gasga

FB: The Art of Alvin Gasga

The post Pili appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

Aimee stares at the creature and doesn’t know whether to stay or to run away.

It looks at her with its many eyes, all blinking at the same time and Aimee steps back. Where was she? How did she get here? Where are her parents?

The last thing she remembers is being in a hospital room surrounded by her family. Her mother was crying then, and her dad tried to tell her everything was going to be okay, but his face betrayed his true feelings.

It was unfair. Why her? She was so young, so full of promise.
Next week she was supposed to go to Enchanted Kingdom with her friends. Lala was supposed to tell her which boy she had a crush on and they would laugh about it on the Ferris wheel.
There were too many plans that were made, too many people that she didn’t spend enough time with.

Aimee started to cry, she wrapped her arms around herself and fell to her knees.

The monster, if it was one, walked towards Aimee, but by then she didn’t care. The only thing that made sense to her was her pain.

She felt a soft nudge and opened her eyes.

The creature was carrying Musang! She thought he had been lost when they moved houses the first time. She grabbed the stuffed animal and held it close, a warm oasis of comfort in her desert of sorrow.

Aimee looked at the creature, now with gratitude. The thing didn’t talk at all but it pointed downwards. She looked and was surprised to see herself.

She was lying down on a hospital bed, her family surrounding her. Next to them was a strange woman saying words Aimee couldn’t understand. Her parents were holding each other with tears in their eyes. Even Ralph looked sad, something she didn’t expect from her little brother.

Aimee tried to reach out to them, to let them know she was alright. They couldn’t hear her. She pounded at the barrier between them until her fists were raw. Aimee just wanted to be with her family again.

Suddenly she heard a melodic voice.

“Aimee Peñas, daughter of Marlon and Sandra.”

She turned around and tried to find whoever was singing.

“Born August 4, 1999.”

All Aimee could see was darkness.

“Lover of animals and friend to all.”

“I’m here! I’m here!’ Aimee shouted at the top of her lungs, she needed to find someone willing to help her.

“Brought to this realm by a terrible sickness.”

“Yes! That’s me! I’m Aimee Peñas! I’m here! Please help me!” She started to run in the direction where the voice was coming from.

Aimee closed her eyes and ran as fast as her feet could carry her, the creature beside her kept apace until she ran into something she couldn’t see.

“Aimee Peñas?” It was the woman from her hospital room! Aimee should have been shocked as her first reaction, but she hugged the woman in thanks. She was the first person Aimee saw throughout this whole ordeal and she was thankful to see another soul.

“Yes! It’s me, Aimee. Who are you?” Aimee looked at the woman’s face, it was old, but somehow carrying a strong sense of duty. “Are you here to help me?”

“Yes child, I am. Take my hand and we will find our way back to your family. The gudguden* ritual will not last much longer and the sun will be up soon. We must hurry.”

Aimee was still carrying Musang and she had to ask. “Do you know what this thing is? She pointed at her many-eyed benefactor.”

“That is my helper, the daligmata. I see it has helped you find something you lost.” The woman pointed at Musang.

“It was very helpful.” Aimee smiled.

“Of course, it lead me to you.” The woman smiled back. “Now it is time for us to go, take my hand child and we will travel through the cosmos.

“Will we be okay?”

“Yes child, I have done this many times before. But first I must ask, do you want to go home?”

“More than anything. I want to see my parents, I want to tell them that I love them. I want to see my friend Lala and say sorry for all the times I made her sad. I even want to see my little brother Ralph even if he’s annoying.”

“That is all I needed to know.” The woman took Aimee’s hand and they both took a step forward.

*This is a nightlong seance where a possessed medium journeys around the cosmos, singing the sick person’s personal history and looking for the abducted human soul.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Daligmata entry in 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015 and CURRENT RESEARCH IN ETHNOMUSICOLOGY, Vol. 4 = Jose` S. Buenconsejo : Songs and Gifts at the Frontier : Person and Exchange in the Agusan Manobo Possession Ritual. Philippines. Routledge, NY & London, 2002. Pg 113

Daligmata Illustration by Julius Arboleda

The post Daligmata appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Cuyonon

“Ingaadlekan ako.”

“Ayaw ikaadlek, bata. Ang bet i’ ang mga diwata maman ang matotoman.”

“Anono ang matatabo kanaken?”

“Magapakon kitang darwa sa pono ‘ang Baliti ig doto ta ka ren sasalan. Magagorang kaw sa idalem ‘ang pono ig dadaraen kaw sa mga langit ig sa kaidaleman.”

“Ayamo kabay?”

“Agod mabata ka i’ oman.”

“Dato kabay masarakit?”

“Indi… ko ron mademdeman. Dinagon den da ang aglelebas datong ingboat ko dia. Indi kaw agadlek, ipapakita nanda kanimo ang isarang bagong kalibotan.”

“Animan gali kalelepad kaw?”

“Een, bata. Dato ig matama pang mga betang. Nasegkadan ko ron ang kadadalemen i’ ang dagat ig akaseled ako ron sa lawas ‘ang tao. Nakaampang ko ron ang mga diwata digi ig sa loyong kalibotan. Akapakon ako ron sa mga logar nga indi enged ikitaen i’ tao. Ig dadi ingpipilayan ako ron.”

“Digi kita ren.”

“Pagpamati sa mga diwata. Sanda ang magagia kanimo tolad ang ingboat nandang paggia kanaken.”

“Makikita ta ka pa kabay?”

“Indi ta maelaman ang bet i’ ang mga diwata. Ta! Ako maalin den, bata. Bala ka ren lamang sa mga tao.”

“Adios, lola.”

Ingbayo i’ ang angin ang batang babai maintras akagorang tana sa idalem ‘ang baliti. Aglelebas ang mga adlaw nga naimong mga dominggo apang ara tana enged ikaliek. Naelaman i’ ang mga taong agaaragi nga indi sanda dapat agpasamber sa anang biahi. Agmora ang kasasanagen pagkatapos i’ ang kaoriang gabi, agtindeg tana ig aganiani i’ pasalamat sa mga diwata.

Naboskad anang mga mata nga dadi kakikita ren sa tinagong kalibotan nga agaeleb sa anang kaboi kanodaya. Ara tana ingirit.

Mi katengdanan tana reng dapat boaten.

English Back Translation

“I am afraid.”

“Do not be afraid, child. The will of the spirits will prevail.”

“What will happen to me?”

“We will go to the Balete tree and I will leave you there. You will sit underneath the tree and you’ll be taken to the heavens and into the deep.”

“Why?”

“So you will be born again.”

“Is it painful?”

“I don’t remember. It has been years since I’ve done this. Do not be scared, they will show you a new world.”

“That’s the reason why you can fly?”

“Yes, child. That and a lot of things more. I’ve dived into the depths of the sea and entered human body. I have spoken to the spirits in this world and the next. I have been to places that no man will ever see. And now I am tired.”

“We are here.”

“Listen to the spirits. They will guide you like how they have guided me.”

“Will I ever see you again?”

“We don’t know the will of the spirits. So, I will go now, child. I will leave the people to you.”

“Goodbye, lola.”

The girl was pounded by the wind as she sat beneath the Balete. Days have passed and turned into weeks but she didn’t move. The people passing by knew that they shouldn’t interfere in her journey. The morning has broken after the last night, she stood up and whispered her gratitude to the spirits.

Her eyes were open and now she can see the hidden world that surrounds her past life. She didn’t smile.

She has a duty to fulfil now.

*Cuyonon is a regional Visayan language spoken on the coast of Palawan, and the Cuyo Islands in the Philippines.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cuyonon Translation provided by Ryan D. Ibañez and Elyn Grace Bagalay
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Ryan D. Ibañez and Elyn Grace Bagalay

Inspired by the Baylan initiation ritual as described in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Babaylan Illustration by emirajuju
IG: https://www.instagram.com/emirajuju/

Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
FB: Wildling Child
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wildlingchild/

The post Babaylan – Cuyonon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

“I’m scared.”

“You don’t need to be, child. The spirits will do as they will.”

“What will happen to me?”

“We will both go to the Balete tree and I will leave you there. You will sit underneath the tree and be taken to the Skyworld and the Lower World.”

“Why?”

“To be reborn.”

“Will it hurt?”

“I…. don’t remember. It has been so long since I went through my initiation. Don’t be scared child, they will let you see a new world.”

“Is that why you can fly?”

“Yes, child. That and much more. I have been to the depths of the sea and inside the bodies of humans. I have spoken to the spirits in this world and the next. I have traveled to places that no human will ever see again. And I am tired.”

“We are here.”

“Listen to the spirits. They will guide you as they have guided me all my life.”

“Will I see you again?”

“Who knows what the spirits will allow? Goodbye child, I leave my people to you.”

“Goodbye, Lola.”

The winds buffeted the girl as she sat beneath the Balete tree. The days stretched into weeks and she did not move a single inch. Those that passed by knew better than to interrupt her journey. When the last night finally gave way to a new dawn she stood up and quietly thanked the spirits.

Her new eyes finally saw the invisible world that surrounded her old life. She did not think to smile.

She had work that needed to be done.

————————–————————–————————–—–

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Baylan initiation ritual as described in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Babaylan Illustration by emirajuju
IG: https://www.instagram.com/emirajuju/

Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
FB: Wildling Child
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wildlingchild/

The post Babaylan appeared first on Philippine Spirits.