Filipino Oral mythology,and story telling and disconnection of abroad raised Filipinos

 

Oral mythology and story telling and disconnection of abroad raised Filipinos

The difficulty that Filipinos born and raised abroad face in grasping the living oral mythology of the Philippines arises from several interconnected factors rooted in cultural, generational, and experiential differences. 

An additional barrier for Filipinos born and raised abroad in understanding and appreciating the oral mythology of the Philippines is the language gap. The Philippines is home to over 180 languages, and many myths and legends are deeply embedded in these languages’ unique expressions, idioms, and cultural references. However, many Filipino parents living abroad do not pass these languages on to their children for various reasons, including fears of cultural assimilation challenges or the perception that teaching their children English or the dominant local language will offer them better opportunities.

example. Ask someone born and raised abroad what a lambana is, or a gabunan, or magindara they might not know, because these are some of the many things present in oral mythology but hard to find in written texts.

1. Disconnect from Oral Tradition

• Orality vs. Literacy: Filipino culture places a significant emphasis on storytelling as a dynamic and living tradition. Myths and legends are shared and reshaped through retellings, reflecting the fluid and adaptive nature of Filipino culture. In contrast, Filipinos raised abroad often rely on written texts or static sources like books, which preserve myths in fixed forms. This reliance can create a bias, where they may see oral transmission as less reliable or "primitive" compared to what is documented in writing.
• Experience vs. Documentation: Oral mythology is not just about the stories themselves; it’s about how they are told—through emotion, local context, and communal interaction. Filipinos abroad may miss the nuances of these performances, finding them harder to relate to or interpret.
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2. Cultural Context and Relevance

• Rooted in Local Life: Myths and legends are deeply tied to Filipino geography, history, and day-to-day life. Tales of creatures like the aswang, kapre, or tikbalang are intertwined with the natural environment and social practices. Filipinos abroad may lack firsthand experience with these settings, making the myths feel abstract or disconnected from their reality.
• Urbanization and Modernity: Some second- or third-generation Filipinos may associate oral myths with rural life or "the past," equating them with outdated superstitions rather than living cultural heritage. This perspective can lead to dismissiveness.

3. Colonial Mindset and Western Influence

• Internalized Bias: Colonial history has ingrained a tendency in some Filipinos to view indigenous traditions, including oral mythology, as inferior to Western forms of knowledge. Filipinos raised abroad, especially in Western countries, may unconsciously adopt this bias, finding local myths "irrational" or unscientific.
• Western Cultural Dominance: Growing up in environments where Western mythology (e.g., Greek, Norse) is often seen as more sophisticated or universal, Filipinos abroad might undervalue Philippine myths by comparison.
• Many Western cultures place a strong emphasis on written documentation as the "official" or most reliable way to preserve knowledge. This perspective often assumes that written records are more credible than oral traditions.

4. Shifts in Storytelling Dynamics

• Filipinos abroad Loss of Intergenerational Storytelling: In many Filipino families abroad, the generational chain of oral storytelling may be broken. Older relatives who might have passed down these stories in an immersive way might not share them as actively, due to language barriers or a lack of perceived relevance. Without the common language these stories can not be passed down to their children and grand children.

5. Cognitive Dissonance

• Conflict Between Worldviews: For some, the symbolic and metaphorical meanings of Philippine myths clash with more literal or rational perspectives they’ve developed abroad. This clash can make the stories feel incoherent or irrelevant.
• Dismissal as Superstition: Myths are often seen as mere superstition by those unfamiliar with their cultural significance. This perception prevents deeper engagement with the stories as cultural and philosophical narratives.

6. Language Disconnect and Its Impacts

• Loss of Nuance: Myths often lose much of their depth and meaning when translated into English or other non-Filipino languages. Specific terms, metaphors, or cultural references tied to Filipino languages can be difficult to convey without the original linguistic context, making the stories feel incomplete or superficial to those who don’t speak the language.
• Barrier to Engagement: For Filipinos abroad, not understanding the language of these myths can make the stories harder to grasp or relate to. This frustration can lead some to disengage entirely or dismiss the stories as irrelevant or nonsensical.
• Antagonism Born from Frustration: For some, this linguistic disconnect creates resentment. When faced with myths they cannot fully understand due to a language barrier, they might dismiss oral mythology as “primitive” or irrational to rationalize their discomfort. This antagonism is often a defense mechanism stemming from feeling excluded or alienated from their cultural heritage.

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  Duwende,Lambana, Tigbalang,Okoy

Why foreigners often white foreigners feel entitled and Superior when it comes to Philippine mythology  ? 

A sense of cultural superiority can stem from the assumption that written, systematized knowledge is inherently better. This can lead to dismissing oral traditions as "primitive" or "unreliable."

Limited Exposure: Foreigners may rely on academic texts or translations that only provide a fragment of Philippine mythology, often written by other outsiders or during colonial times. They might not experience the richness of the oral and communal aspects of Filipino culture.

Exoticization: Foreigners sometimes romanticize or exoticize Philippine mythology, treating it as an artifact to be studied rather than a living tradition. This perspective can create a disconnect from how Filipinos actually engage with their myths.

Defamation to Silence Opposition: By discrediting native Filipino  storytellers, outsiders attempt to  delegitimize the authenticity of local narratives. This makes their own interpretations or rewritten versions appear more valid.

Why This Tactic is Used?

• Need for Dominance:
  • Controlling narratives and defaming local voices reflects a desire to assert intellectual, cultural, or moral superiority.
• Ignorance or Arrogance:
  • Some genuinely believe their interpretations are better due to implicit biases or lack of understanding of oral traditions and their significance.
• Profit and Prestige:
• Digital age, more follower more power. White foreigner wants to dominate everything. Clout chasing. The more followers one has the more they can assert and control people and narratives. Stories from other cultures are often exoticized and commodified for profit, with the storyteller conveniently sidelined.

Controlling stories and defaming storytellers to assert dominance is a tactic deeply rooted in colonialism and systemic inequality. While some outsiders may justify their actions through ignorance or profit motives, these behaviors strip Filipinos of their voice and heritage. The living nature of Philippine mythology, thriving in its people, remains its greatest strength. The best way to resist this domination is by uplifting native voices, protecting oral traditions, and ensuring the authenticity of cultural narratives in the face of external pressures.

7. Cultural Alienation Through Language Loss (Not learning the Language)

• Disconnected Identity: Language is a core part of cultural identity. Without a connection to Filipino languages, Filipino-born individuals abroad may feel distanced from their heritage, including its oral traditions. The frustration of this disconnection can further amplify feelings of alienation from the myths and stories.
• Complex Linguistic Diversity: Even within the Philippines, the vast linguistic diversity means that oral myths are often tied to specific regions and dialects. Filipinos abroad, unfamiliar with this diversity, may not realize that there isn’t one “Filipino” mythology but many, each adapted to its linguistic and cultural context.

Anito ng kasamaan

Diwata ng kagubatan

Reconnecting with Oral Mythology

For Filipinos abroad to better appreciate the living oral mythology of the Philippines:

• Immersive Experiences: Spending time in the Philippines, participating in local festivals, and listening to storytellers can bridge the experiential gap.
• Reframing Myths: Understanding myths as reflections of cultural values, moral lessons, and ecological wisdom rather than just "tales" can shift perspectives.
• Encouraging Intergenerational Dialogue: Families can create opportunities for elders to share stories in their traditional oral forms.
• Using Modern Tools: Podcasts, videos, and social media platforms focusing on Filipino myths and stories can present them in engaging ways for younger, tech-savvy generations.

Reconnecting with Oral Mythology through story Tellers

In the Philippines, storytellers are much more than narrators; they are vessels through which the life, spirit, and lessons of myths and legends are carried forward. By embodying these stories, they ensure that the richness cultural  of the Philippines story telling remains vibrant and alive, transcending time and connecting generations. In this way, storytellers uphold the belief that stories are not merely told—they live through those who share and hear them.

In a New Digital Age many story tellers are the torch bearers of the stories scattering far and wide, for everyone. Philippine mythology and stories is the most inclusive and fluid Mythology in the Whole world. It is for Filipinos, Filipinix even foreigners. meant to unite NOT divide

Ultimately, oral mythology isn’t primitive—it’s an evolving, resilient cultural expression that conveys timeless truths about identity, community, and the environment. For Filipinos abroad, embracing it requires openness to both its content and its unique forms of transmission.

Oral mythology in the Philippines is alive and thriving to this day. From tribal storytellers in remote communities to modern content creators on platforms like YouTube, these myths continue to evolve and reach new audiences. Many Filipino storytellers now use digital tools to share legends, often speaking in Filipino or regional languages, keeping the tradition vibrant and accessible. This blend of ancient oral tradition with modern technology demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of Filipino culture, proving that these stories are far from primitive—they’re dynamic and enduring.