About Center for babaylan studies
The Center for Babaylan Studies: Bridging the Gap Between Diaspora and Indigenous Living Traditions
The Center for Babaylan Studies is a nonprofit organization that aims to connect those in the diaspora with living babaylans of the Philippines and indigenous living traditions. The center was founded by Dr. Elenita "Leny" B. Mascardo, who is a babaylan herself and has been practicing indigenous healing arts for over 30 years.
The term "babaylan" refers to an indigenous healer, shaman, or priestess in pre-colonial Philippines. They were highly respected members of their communities who served as spiritual leaders, healers, and mediators between humans and spirits. However, during the Spanish colonization period in the Philippines (16th-19th century), many babaylans were persecuted and their practices were suppressed.
Today, there is a growing interest among Filipinos both in the Philippines and abroad to reconnect with their indigenous roots and traditions. The Center for Babaylan Studies serves as a platform for this reconnection by providing education, resources, and community support.
One of the main goals of the center is to preserve traditional knowledge systems that have been passed down from generation to generation through oral tradition. This includes knowledge about herbal medicine, divination practices, ritual ceremonies, music and dance forms that are unique to different regions in the Philippines.
The center also offers workshops on various topics related to babaylanism such as dreamwork interpretation; ancestral healing; working with crystals; energy healing techniques; tarot reading; storytelling; drumming circles etc., which are taught by experienced practitioners from different parts of the world.
In addition to educational programs, The Center for Babaylan Studies also provides community outreach services such as counseling sessions with trained therapists who incorporate traditional healing methods into their practice. They also organize cultural events like festivals where people can come together to celebrate and learn about indigenous traditions.
The center has a strong online presence with a website that provides information about their programs, events, and resources. They also have an active social media presence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter where they share updates about their work and engage with their community.
The Center for Babaylan Studies is unique in its approach to bridging the gap between diaspora Filipinos and indigenous living traditions. By providing education, resources, and community support, they are helping to preserve traditional knowledge systems while also empowering people to reconnect with their roots. Their work is essential in promoting cultural diversity and preserving the rich heritage of the Philippines.