According to the writings of John Garvan in his early 1900’s memoir in the New York Academy of Sciences, the Mandaya is “probably the greatest
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TAMBANOKANO: The Giant Crab, Mandaya Folklore
You’ve heard the tales of Bakunawa, the giant serpent who attempts to swallow the moon. But have you heard of the gargantuan crab named Tambanokano (also
Read moreThe Pleiades and the Seven Skymaidens in Philippine Folklore
Philippine folktales of the Seven Skymaidens could have origins dating back 100,000 years. In the northern sky in December is a beautiful cluster of stars
Read moreThe Many Names of Philippine Shamans & Healers
In recent years, the term babaylan has dominated the conversations regarding historical and modern indigenous religious narratives. There is good reason for this. From the
Read moreAn Introduction to Pre-Spanish Influences on Philippine Cultures
Ages before the appearance of Spain in Southeast Asia, the (now known as) Filipinos had commercial, political, and cultural relations with India, China, Japan, Arabia,
Read moreBATHALA: Examining the Name & Gender of the Creator Deity | TAGALOG MYTHOLOGY
The Tagalogs believed in a single, all-powerful God. “Like all primitive religions, that of the Tagalog was,” says Father Horacio De La Costa, “closely interwoven
Read moreThe MANÓBOS of Agusan: Sacrifices & War Rites
The Manobo are several people groups who inhabit the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. They speak one of the languages belonging to the Manobo
Read moreThe MANÓBOS of Agusan: The Bailan, Ceremony & Religious Rites
The Manobo are several people groups who inhabit the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. They speak one of the languages belonging to the Manobo
Read moreMANÓBO Body Modification
The Manobo are several people groups who inhabit the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. They speak one of the languages belonging to the Manobo
Read moreThe Mysterious Cebuano Bird in Pigafetta’s Account
As we approach 500 years since Magellan reached what would become the Philippines, I have been revisiting Antonio Pigafetta’s chronicle of the voyage. While reading
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