*Note this story is in Isnag

“Mahánsing ya’.”

“Akkám kasapúlān mahánsing, inēng. Kuán dayá kaduduwá ya kuán da.”

“Ínna ya má’wa kiyá’?”

“Mawē ta duwá kitú Balísi nga káyu se ibansí taká katúnni. Magtuháw ka kitú tággad nátu káyu se ka nga malá’ ka Kalawahān nayá Lángit se ka Kalawahān nayá Tággad-lúbung.”

“Tánnā?”

“Ta sénu meaná’ ka maním.”

“Natakít tuní?”

“Akkán ku… madámdam. Nabayāg túla yin kitú kínwa ku tu inísiyassyōn. Akkán ka mahánsing, inēng, mangipássingan da kikáw ka barú nga lúbung.”

“Íttu yān ya hapú nga makakáyab ka?”

“Saay, inēng. Túyān se mas adú pakám. Naméyaggān ku yin ya kadállamān nayá bébay se ya unág dayá bagbaggí dayá tólay. Nakaamómān ku yin dayá kaduduwá náddi nga lúbung se ya sumarunú kam. Naméyag ya’ yin kadayá lúglugār nga àwan tólay ya makkássingan maním. Ay nónawān ya’ yin.”

“Atān tan kíddi.”

“Hi’nām dayá kaduduwá. Iturúng da ka ummān kiyá nangiturúng da kitú ngámin bíybiyāg ku.”

“Masingán taká maním?”

“Ummaí nōd kiyá palubúsān dayá kaduduwá. Hará luhúd yin, inēng, ibansí ku yin dayá kapáda ku kikáw.”

“Hará luhúd yin, ínnā.”

Hinuyhúyud nayá ángin tu ababbíng nga babáy madamá nga nakatuháw ka tággad natú Balísi nga káyu. Dayá al-alháw ay nabi’yáng ka manú nga liggú ay akkán gína nagkutkutí. Ámmu palínnin dayá lumiwlíwān nga tólay nga nap-apiyá nga akkán ribuán gína kiyá dálēn na. Kitú niltuwād kámpē yin natú kaúddiyān nga habí ya barú nga págmakāt ay nagsíkād gína se nga himhimmá’ nga nagyáman kidatú kaduduwá. Nasingán kampē yin datú kabarbarú na nga matá tu akkán masingán nga lúbung nga nanglébut kitú dadān na nga biyāg. Akkán na linammát nga makésam.

Atān da úbra na nga masápul má’wa.

note

Glottal stops are represented as an apostrophe. They are required since words may change meaning depending on the presence of a glottal stop.

Long vowels and stresses are represented through diacritics to aid in pronunciation.

=———————=

English Version

“I’m scared.”

“You don’t need to be, child. The sprits 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.

=——————–=

*Kayu-kayu, madayu kayu is Ilokano for “You there please go away.” (Kayo-kayo, malayo kayo)

*Isnag (also called Isneg) is a language spoken by around 40,000 Isnag people of Apayao Province in the Cordillera Administrative Region in the northern Philippines. Around 85% of Isnag are capable of reading the Isnag language. Many Isnag speakers also speak Ilocano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Isnag Translation by Johnwel Khim Enciso
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Johnwel Khim Enciso

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/

*Note this story is in Kinaray-a

“Nahadlukan ako.”

“Hindi pag hadluk, ga. Imawan kaw kang diya nga mga espirito.”

“Ano matabo kanakun?”

“Maagtu kita sa Lunok kag didto ta ikaw ibilin. Mapungko ikaw sa idalum ka kahoy nga diya kag didto ikaw nanda darhun sa kaharian ka kahawa-an kag sinauna nga kalupa-an.”

“Andot?”

“Para mag bag-ong tawo ikaw.”

“Masakitan ako kari-a?”

“H–hindi don ako ka dumdom kung sakit or bukot tungod lawid don ako nag agi sa amo kadya nga ritwal. Hindi mag hadlok, ga. Pakita kanimo ka mga espirito nga dya ang panibag-o nga kalibutan.”

“Amo ra ang rason nga maka lupad ikaw?”

“Huod, ga. Kag sobra-sobra pa dyan kara. Nakaagto ron ako sa lain-lain nga lugar kag nag sulod sa lain-lain nga klase ka lawas ka tawo. Naistorya ko don man ang lain-lain nga klase ka espirito sa dya nga kalibutan kag sa pihak nga kinabuhi. Kapoy don ako.”

“Rugya ron kita.”

“Pamati-i ang mga espirito. Imawan kaw nanda kadya pareho ka pag imaw nanda kanakun bilog ko nga kabuhi.”

“Makitaay ta pa ayhan?”

“Wra ta kamaan kung tugtan kita ka mga espirito. Mapanaw don ako, ga. I-bilin ko don kanimo ang mga katawhan ko.”

“Asta mag kitaay kita liwat, Lola.”

Nag gulpi baskog ang hangin samtang ang babayi nag pungko sa idalum kang Lunok. Ang inadlaw nag sinemana pero wra gid dya tana nag hulag-hulag maski isara ka pulgada. Naga tururok lang kana ang mga naga lubas kaysa istorbohon tana. Kang nag abot don ang adlaw nga gina hulat ka tanan, dya nag tindog kag nag pasalamat sa mga espirito.

Kita dun ka anang mga mata ang hindi na makita kauna. Wara tana maski mag yuhom lang.

May obligasyon pa tana nga inog tubangon.

=——————————–=

English Version

“I’m scared.”

“You don’t need to be, child. The sprits 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.

=——————————=

*The Karay-a language, or Kinaray-a is an Austronesian regional language spoken by the Karay-a people, mainly in Antique in the Philippines, Iloilo and other provinces on the island of Panay, as well as portions of the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. It is one of the Visayan languages, mainly along with Aklanon/Malaynon, Capiznon and Hiligaynon. As of 2015, there is an estimated 1,200,000 speakers of Kinaray-a with almost half of them are from Antique and Iloilo provinces.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Esther Ammy Mena

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Esther Ammy Mena

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/

*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/

*Note this story is in Pangasinan

“Natatakot ak.”

“Ag ka natatakot, anako. Gawaën na saray espiritu so kaukolan.”

“Anto’y nagawa’d siyak?”

“Unla tan duwa ëd samay Balete insan taka itilak diman. Unirong ka’d sirong to may kiyëw, tan iyakar ka’d kawalaan ëd tagëy na tawën tan kawalaan ëd dalëm na dalin.

“Akin?”

“Piyan niyanak ka lamët.”

“Nasakitan ak ëd saya?”

“Ag… ag ko la nanonotan. Abayag la lapo’d samay siyak so abinyagan. Balët ag ka natatakot, anako, ipanëngnëng da’d sika so balon mundo.”

“Lapo’d saya katon makakatikyab kayo?”

“On, anako. Atan insan amayamay ni. Nanlapo ak la’d sangkaaralëman na dayat tan diya’d dalëm daray laman a totoo. Akatongtong ko la ray ispiritu ëd sayan mundo tan diya’d untombok. Akalinma ak la’d saray pasën a ag la nanëngnëng lamët na saray totoo. Balët naksawan ak la.”

“Wadya ti la.”

“Dëngël mo ray ispiritu. Igiya da ka ya singa no panon da ak inggiya’d intiron bilay ko.”

“Nanëngnëng taka ni?”

“Siopa’y makaamta no anto’y gabayën na saray ispiritu? Manpatanir ak la, anako, itilak ko ray totook ëd sika.”

“Asikaso yo la, Bai.”

“Sinmiplog so dagëm nën inmirong imay bii diya’d lëksab a Balete. Binmayag lapo’d pigan agëw angga’d pigaran simba ya ag inmalis imay ugaw. Maamta iramay apadalan ëd sikato ya ag pibabalian so panagdalëpdëp to. Nën sinmabi so sampot a labin mangitër a balon palbangon, inmalagëy sikato insan marëën a nampasalamat ëd saray ispiritu.

Anëngnëng na balon mata to so akaamot a mundon akapalibër ëd bilay to nën saman. Ag to la ninonot so ungngiriyët.

Walay kimëyën ton nëpëg a sumpalën.

=————————-=

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.

————————–————————–————————–—–

*Pangasinan (Salitan Pangasinan) – sometimes called Pangasinense is one of the major languages of the Philippines. It is the language spoken in the province of Pangasinan, on the west-central seaboard of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, the northern portion of Tarlac and southwestern La Union, most of whom belong to the Pangasinan ethnic group. Pangasinan is also understood in some municipalities in Benguet, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, and by the Aeta or Aeta of Zambales.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Dean Alfred Narra
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright ©Dean Alfred Narra

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/

*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/

*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

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

*Note this story is in Cebuano

“Nahadlok ko.”

“Dili kinahanglan. Ang mga espiritu na ang mahibalo.”

“Unsa’y mahitabo kanako?”

“Mangadto ta sa Balete na kahoy ug ibilin tika ngadto. Maglingkod ka sa ilalom ug dal-on ka sa taas ug ubos na kalibutan.”

“Kay ngano man?”

“Para pakataw-on kag usab.”

“Sakit ba na?”

“Di… dili ko kahinum. Dugay na kaayo ang panahon na niagi ko sa akong unang seremonya. Ayaw kahadlok, ila kang tugutan na makakita ug bag-o na kalibutan.”

“Mao bang kamao kang mulupad?”

“Oo ug daghan pa. Niadto na ako sa ikalaluman sa dagat ug sulod sa lawas sa tawo. Nakighinabi sa mga espiritu sa lain na kalibutan ug sa lain pa. Nakaadto ko sa mga lugar na wala pa nakit-an sa tawo. Ug gikapoy nako.”

“Niabot nata.”

“Paminawa ang mga espiritu. Sila ang magagiya kanimo sama sa ilang pagiya kanako sa akong tibuok kinabuhi.”

“Magkita pa ba ta ug balik?”

“Wala ta nakabalo ug unsay itugot sa mga espiritu. Adto nako, akong ibilin kanimo ang ako mga tawo.”

“Sige, Lola.”

Ang hangin ihapak sa batang babaye samtang naglingkod sa Balete na kahoy. Ang mga adlaw nilanat ug mga semana ug siya wala nilihok bisan gamay. Ang mga nilabay nahibalo kaayo sa iyang panaw ug wala siya hilabti. Ug niabot ang katapusang gabie nga naghatag ug laing kadlawon, nitindog siya ug gipasalamatan sa hilom ang mga espiritu. Ug sa iyang bag-ong panan-aw nakita na niya ang dili makita na kalibutan na gapalibot sa iyang daan na kinabuhi. Wala siya nakahuna-huna na mupahiyom.

Daghan siya’ng mga buluhaton na kinahanglan humanun.

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.

*The Cebuano language, alternatively called Cebuan and also often colloquially albeit informally referred to by most of its speakers simply as Bisaya (“Visayan”, not to be confused with other Visayan languages nor Brunei Bisaya language), is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 21 million people, mostly in Central Visayas, western parts of Eastern Visayas and most parts of Mindanao, most of whom belong to various Visayan ethnolingusitic groups, mainly the Cebuanos. It is the by far the most widely spoken of the Visayan languages, which are in turn part of wider the Philippine languages. The reference to the language as Bisaya is not encouraged anymore by linguists due to the many languages within the Visayan language group that may be confused with the term. The Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino, the official regulating body of Philippine languages, spells the name of the language as Sebwano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Dr. Riza Reyna A. Gil
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Dr. Riza Reyna A. Gil

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
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IG: https://www.instagram.com/wildlingchild/

“Nahadlok ako”

“Ayaw kahadlok, Inday. Kun ano an karuyag han ispiritu, bubuhaton nira”

“Anon mahihitabo ha akon?”

“Babayaan ta ikaw didto ha puno han balete. Lingkod didto ngan dadad-on ka ha langit ngan ha ilarom hin tuna.
“Kay-ano?”

“Para ha bag-o nga kinabuhi”

“Maul-ol ba to?

“Diri ko na mahinumduman. Maiha na nga naglabay an akon panahon. Ayaw kahadlok, Inday. Dadad-on ka nira ha bag-o nga kalibutan.

“Kay amo ito nga nakakalupad ka”?

“Oo, Inday. Paglupad ngan damo pa. Sumangpot na ako ha pinakahalarum hin dagat, ha mga sulod hin lawas han tawo. Nakaka-istorya ko an mga ispiritu dinhi ngan ha iba nga kalibutan. Nakaabot na ako ha mga lugar nga diri na makakadtuan hin mga tawo. Gingugul-an na ako.”

“Anhi na kita.”

“Pamati ha mga ispiritu. Tutut-duan ka nira sugad han ira pag tut-do ha akon.”

“Magkikita pa ba kita?”

“Diri kita maaram kung ano an karuyag han mga spiritu. Lakat na, Inday. Igbibilin ko na an mga tawo ha imo”
“Makadi na ako, Lola.”

Kumusog an hangin palibot han bata nga nakalingkod ha may balete. Naglabay an adlaw ngadto ha sinama nga waray kikiwa an bata. An mga tawo maaram nga diri pwede hiya pwede labtan ha iya ginbubuhat. Ha amagahon han bisperas han gab-i, tumukdaw an bata ngan nagpasalamat hin waray saba ha mga ispiritu.

Nakit-an na han iya mga mata an iya daan nga kinabuhi. Malain na iya pamati.

Mayda pa hiya trabaho nga kinahanglan buhaton.

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.

**Waray is the fifth-most-spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas. It is the native language of the Waray people and second language of the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar and some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern parts of Leyte island. It is the third most spoken language among the Visayan languages, only behind Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Hiligaynon translation by Elle Bee
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Elle Bee

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/