Indigenous Philippine folk religions, collectively referred to as Anitism, are the distinct native religions of various ethnic groups in the Philippines, where most follow belief systems in line with
The Agusan image (900–950) discovered in 1917 on the banks of the Wawa River, Agusan del Sur in Mindanao in the Philippines. Although it contains Hindu and Buddhist elements, locals regard it as a vessel for local deities. It is currently under the colonial possession of the Field Museum, despite countless requests by locals to return the Image back home.
15th century Ifugao bulul with a pamahan (ceremonial bowl). Adherents of the folk religions believe that gods presiding over crops reside within their bululs. This bulul is currently under the colonial possession of the Louvre.
One of the many Limestone tombs of Kamhantik (890–1030 AD), where ancestors were buried and sealed by sarcophagi. Locals believe that the tombs were also created by forest deities, as per tradition. In the early 20th century, the sacred site was looted and defiled by American colonizers. All of the sarcophagi seals were stolen in the process.
A Hiligaynon woman depicting a babaylan (Visayan shaman) during a festival. According to Spanish records, the majority of precolonial shamans were women, while the minority were bakla, effeminate men. Both were highly respected, on par with the datu or local ruler. Due to Spanish colonization, many of the islands' shamans were brutalized in the name of Christianity, misogyny, and racism.[failed verification]
Philippine mythology
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Philippine mythology is rooted in the many indigenous Philippine folk religions. Philippine mythology exhibits influence from Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian traditions.
Portrait of the first man, Malakas, and woman, Maganda, who came out from a bamboo pecked by the bird form of the deity of peace, Amihan, in Tagalog mythology
The Maranao people believe that Lake Lanao is a gap that resulted in the transfer of Mantapoli into the center of the world.
The Tagalog people's Obando Fertility Rites, before becoming a Catholic festival, was initially an animist ritual dedicated to the intersex deity, Lakapati, who presided over fertility, the goddess of love, Diyan Masalanta, and the supreme god, Bathala.
The Virgin of Antipolo has animist connections. Many of the rituals and prayers connected to the Lady of the Breadfruit (Tipolo) Tree have similarities to the pre-colonial indigenous cult of Maguayen, the Visayan god to whom people made offerings before building a boat or embarking on a voyage. Similarly, the Virgin of Antipolo is also asked for protection and well-being, as well as for the blessing of new cars, the modern mode of transportation.