Albularyo: Spirit and Diagnostic Ritual
Albularyo
An Introduction
If one is born and raised in a Filipino family and community, they will definitely recognize the term 'albularyo' (or 'arbularyo' which is a common mistake in spelling due to mispronunciation). Usually, Filipinos seek these 'albularyos' as an alternative for going to the hospital. By tradition and because of chronic economic constraints particularly in the rural areas, the albularyos are the general practitioners - the primary dispensers of health care. The word 'albularyo' came from the Spanish word 'herbolario,' meaning herbalist.
An albularyo is a traditional faith healer, an herbalist, and practitioner of white magic in the Philippines. Albularyos can be thought of as guides or liaisons between the natural and spiritual worlds. In harmony with nature, they know how to harvest the cures that nature provides, being able to concoct various remedies or potions to cure all sorts of maladies, whether caused by natural or supernatural origins. They are practitioners of magic, and can protect one from unknown or unseen paranormal forces.
A History
During the Pre-Hispanic periods, the function of an albularyo was part of the functions of a Babaylan, a shamanic spiritual leader of the community.
On the onset of the Colonial era, the suppression of the Babaylans and the native Filipino pagan religion gave rise to the albularyo. By exchanging the native pagan prayers and spells with Catholic oraciones and Christian prayers, the albularyo was able to syncretize the ancient mode of healing with the new religion.
As time progressed, the albularyo became a more prominent figure in most rural areas in the Philippines. Lacking access to scientific medical practices, rural Filipinos trusted the albularyos to rid them of common (and sometimes believed to be supernatural) sicknesses and diseases.
A spiritist group named Union Espiritista Christiana de Filipinas teaches the art of healing in the Philippines. They
An Introduction
If one is born and raised in a Filipino family and community, they will definitely recognize the term 'albularyo' (or 'arbularyo' which is a common mistake in spelling due to mispronunciation). Usually, Filipinos seek these 'albularyos' as an alternative for going to the hospital. By tradition and because of chronic economic constraints particularly in the rural areas, the albularyos are the general practitioners - the primary dispensers of health care. The word 'albularyo' came from the Spanish word 'herbolario,' meaning herbalist.
An albularyo is a traditional faith healer, an herbalist, and practitioner of white magic in the Philippines. Albularyos can be thought of as guides or liaisons between the natural and spiritual worlds. In harmony with nature, they know how to harvest the cures that nature provides, being able to concoct various remedies or potions to cure all sorts of maladies, whether caused by natural or supernatural origins. They are practitioners of magic, and can protect one from unknown or unseen paranormal forces.
A History
During the Pre-Hispanic periods, the function of an albularyo was part of the functions of a Babaylan, a shamanic spiritual leader of the community.
On the onset of the Colonial era, the suppression of the Babaylans and the native Filipino pagan religion gave rise to the albularyo. By exchanging the native pagan prayers and spells with Catholic oraciones and Christian prayers, the albularyo was able to syncretize the ancient mode of healing with the new religion.
As time progressed, the albularyo became a more prominent figure in most rural areas in the Philippines. Lacking access to scientific medical practices, rural Filipinos trusted the albularyos to rid them of common (and sometimes believed to be supernatural) sicknesses and diseases.
A spiritist group named Union Espiritista Christiana de Filipinas teaches the art of healing in the Philippines. They