Babaylan* is a Filipino word that refers specifically to an individual or a group of healers, mostly women, who were acknowledged by friends and family as possessing extraordinary gifts… having a gift of vision; an ability to see through schemes or situations and later advise on future plans... or the gift for healing; a specific touch or intuited or passed-on knowledge to specific processes of ‘fixing’ and ‘putting’ people and things together. The first priority of all Babaylan [is] her community. --- Carlos Villa
*Babaylan is a Visayan term. Other terms for this role around the Philippines
are arbularyo, hilot, mombaki, bailan/beliyan/bagyan, catalonan, dawac, or ma-aram...
And thank you for visiting the new Center for Babaylan Studies. Come and join us in an exploration and illumination of Babaylan indigenous wisdom and spirit that can empower us in our daily lives and our communities and enable the healing and evolution of Filipino soul. Please read about our mission here and visit our updated FAQs to understand better what we are about.
You will find more information, images and details about babaylan past and present at our blog. And be sure to visit us on Facebook to connect with us and others.
Babaylan Tradition is about Filipino Wisdom and Power within us. Filipinos everywhere can be empowered by traditions preserved, upheld, passed on by Babaylan women and men. Filipino leaders can individually and collectively strengthen, evolve and uphold this intensifying, re-emerging respect for indigenous traditions and identity that can in turn empower the community---those they serve.
You may carry the traditions of the Babaylan within you because you have answered a calling of leadership in one or more of the following: advocacy, activism, teaching, increasing awareness, healing, spirituality and vision, struggling and working for justice---actions and motiviation deeply connected to the context of your being Filipino. Then if so, our Babaylan Conference 2010 calls for your presence.
International Babaylan Conference of 2010
April 17 – 18, 2010 at the
Sonoma State University, CA
We would like you to join us in bringing about this very unique and special gathering through your efforts and presence. Check out the program schedule! Plan now to get to conference--- lodging info here now!
Click here for more info on the conference page»
You can contact us to become part of the conference and to subscribe to our latest updates.