"A man dressed himself as a woman, ad with the gongs and drums beaten rapidly he danced, whirling round and round upon a matuntil weak and dizzy, so that he had tolean on a post. For a time he appeared to be in a trance. After restinga ew minutes he stalked majestically around the edge of the mat, exaggerating the lifting and placing of his feet and putting an arrogant manner. After walking a minute or two he picked up a red handkerchief, doubled it in his hand so that the middle of the kerchief projected in a bunch above his thumb and forefinger; then he thrust this into the flame of an "almaciga" torch. The music tarted anew and he resumed his frantic dance until the flame reached his hand when he slapped it out with his left hand, and stopped dancing; then catching the kerchief by two corners he shook it ut showing it untouched by fire."
(The Wild Tribes of Davao District, Mindanao The R.F Cummings Philippine Expidition: Project Gutenberg. E-txt prepared by Carl D. DuBois
The Binabaylan Tradition is a form of Neopaganism Spirituality which practices the Old Binabaylan Ways. It is a reconstruction of the ancient practices and rituals of the Babaylans.
There are three important things which are valued in this form of earth-based spirituality:
1. Respect and value everything that has life.
2. Recognize the interconnectedness of all creation and its interdependence with one another.
3. Acknowledge that "supernatural" beings exist and seek to live with them in coexistence.
This revival of the Ancient Binabaylan Ways focuses more into healing, wisdom-sharing, preservation of culture, love of country, and establishment of a strong connection with the Ancestors and the Divine Ones.
