The Babaylan (Ang Babaylan) by Roy Aquilar

babaylan
@bababisaya, ”The Babaylan” (Ang Babaylan) by Roy Aquilar, (Paintings from Negros Museum, Bacolod, Negros Occidental, on the island of Buglas)

One of the most important in a community or town was the “babaylan.” The babaylan was a traditional healer and an adviser to their leader. The babaylan was in charge of the community in the absence of the Datu. In our local dialect, they were called “manuhilot.” Another popular term is “Soriano,” from cirujano, Spanish for “surgeon.”

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