In Philippine pre-colonial history, the babaylan were known as spiritual leaders, healers and political figures who held power rivaling that of the datus. They were held in high regard and carried great influence in their political spheres. In the modern era, some of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines have adopted the figure as a queer symbol.
In their private lives, babaylan were also said to be able to marry and engage in sexual relationships with anyone, regardless of their gender.
While babaylan were primarily women, men could take up the mantle of spiritual leadership, wherein they dressed in feminine garb and assumed the likeness of women.
Asog
These individuals were referred to as ‘asog’, which was a word typically used to refer to barren women.
In this sense, asog might not necessarily have been bound to a male or female identity, but instead danced in the fluidity and ambiguity between the two.
Some sources indicate that they could live as women, have sexual relationships with men, and take husbands. At the same time, it is just as likely that they retained both ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ attributes, not having to choose between one existence over the other.
Fluidity and Freedom
The liminality of the babaylan and asog makes them fitting emblems for queers identity today.
Plurality was an indicator of divine status. It was considered powerful and mystical rather than shameful.
Our current politics and attitudes on sex and gender are vastly different from the reality of the pre-colonial babaylan.
The purpose of their role may not have been an intentional championing of queer identity, yet their very existence underscores that fluidity and freedom are undeniable aspects of our cultural roots.
