Death and Destruction of the old gods and goddesses of the Philippines

 

Throughout history, foreign invaders and colonizers who sought to control the Philippines often targeted the indigenous beliefs and practices of the Filipino people as a means of consolidating their power. This process of undermining local religions and their deities was a common tactic used to facilitate colonization and cultural assimilation. 

The old gods and goddesses of the Philippines, once central to the spiritual lives of indigenous communities, have been largely relegated to the realm of oral mythology or demonized in the modern era. This transformation is rooted in the Philippines' complex history of colonization, cultural shifts, and the imposition of foreign religious beliefs, which have collectively reshaped the perception of indigenous deities.

When the Spanish colonized the Philippines in the 16th century, they brought with them the forceful spread of Roman Catholicism. The indigenous spiritual systems, which venerated a pantheon of gods and goddesses tied to nature and daily life, were seen as pagan and antithetical to Christian doctrine. In the process of conversion, Spanish missionaries systematically demonized these deities, portraying them as malevolent spirits or devils to instill fear and discourage their worship. This demonization was part of a broader colonial strategy to replace native beliefs with Christianity, erasing much of the rich spiritual heritage of the Filipino people. Over time, as these indigenous beliefs were suppressed, they survived primarily through oral tradition, passed down in stories but no longer practiced widely.

The relegation and demonization of the old gods and goddesses of the Philippines, along with the selective treatment by some foreigners, can be attributed to several historical, cultural, and social factors:

1. Colonial Influence and Christianization:

• The Philippines was colonized by Spain for over 300 years, beginning in the 16th century. During this time, Spanish missionaries actively worked to convert the indigenous population to Christianity, specifically Roman Catholicism.
• The Spanish colonial authorities and missionaries viewed indigenous beliefs and practices as pagan and, therefore, opposed to Christianity. As part of the conversion process, they often demonized the native gods and goddesses, portraying them as evil spirits or demons.
• Indigenous spiritual practices and the worship of pre-colonial deities were suppressed, and over time, many of these beliefs were either forgotten or relegated to oral traditions.

2. Oral Tradition and Loss of Written Records:

• The pre-colonial Philippines had rich oral traditions, and much of the mythology and religious beliefs were passed down through storytelling. However, due to the lack of a widespread unified language and  writing system, much of this knowledge was not formally recorded (the archipelago has so many languages and different writing systems).
• With the spread of Christianity and the introduction of Western education, these oral traditions were further marginalized, leading to the gradual loss of detailed knowledge about the old gods and goddesses.

The lack of a widespread unified language and pre-colonial unified writing system in the Philippines also contributed to the marginalization of these deities. Much of the knowledge about these gods and goddesses was preserved orally, and with the advent of colonial education systems that prioritized Western knowledge, these stories were further marginalized. As a result, what remains of these beliefs is often fragmented and not as detailed as it once was, confined to the periphery of cultural memory.

In modern times, as global interest in indigenous spirituality has grown, some foreigners have shown a fascination with the old gods and goddesses of the Philippines. However, this interest is often selective, shaped by Western romanticized notions of what indigenous spirituality should be. Certain deities are glorified and adopted into these outsiders’ spiritual practices, while others that do not fit their ideals are further demonized or dismissed. This cherry-picking not only distorts the original context and significance of these deities but also continues the legacy of cultural imperialism, where foreign interpretations overshadow the authentic beliefs and practices of the Filipino people.

3. Demonization and Syncretism:

• To ease the transition to Christianity, some indigenous practices and beliefs were syncretized with Christian practices. However, the old gods and goddesses were often reinterpreted as malevolent spirits or demons, in line with Christian cosmology.
• This demonization further discouraged the veneration of these deities, leading to a widespread association of indigenous spiritual beliefs with superstition or evil.

4. Cultural Imperialism and Selective Interest:

• In modern times, some foreigners, particularly those from Western cultures, have shown interest in the indigenous religions of the Philippines, sometimes cherry-picking aspects of the old gods that align with their own ideas or romanticized notions of indigenous spirituality.
• This selective interest can lead to a superficial understanding of the old gods and goddesses, where certain deities are glorified or appropriated while others are misunderstood or demonized based on Western biases.
• This can also be seen as a form of cultural imperialism, where foreign interpretations and values are imposed on the indigenous beliefs, distorting their original meanings.

Despite these challenges, there is a growing movement among some Filipinos to reclaim and revive their indigenous spiritual heritage. This resurgence reflects a broader desire to reconnect with pre-colonial identity and resist the lingering effects of colonialism. However, this effort is still in its early stages, and the old gods and goddesses remain largely misunderstood, both within the Philippines and abroad.

5. Contemporary Identity and Revival Movements:

• In recent years, there has been a growing movement among some Filipinos to revive and reclaim their pre-colonial spiritual heritage. This has led to a renewed interest in the old gods and goddesses, as well as efforts to preserve and honor indigenous traditions.
• However, these efforts are still emerging, and the legacy of colonialism continues to influence how these deities are perceived both within the Philippines and by outsiders.

the relegation and demonization of the old gods and goddesses of the Philippines are products of colonial history and the imposition of Christianity, which sought to erase indigenous spiritual practices. The selective interest of some foreigners further distorts these beliefs, perpetuating misunderstandings and cultural imperialism. Nevertheless, the revival of interest in these deities among Filipinos offers hope for a more authentic reclamation and understanding of their spiritual heritage.