RSS Feeds: Filipino Folklore: Anting-Anting
The wearing of amulets to ward off evil spirits and demons goes way back. How far back, no one really knows. Why would the Philippines be any different? In the Philippines, these pendants are called anting-anting, agimat or bertude, depending on the language.
I recently spotted one of the neighborhood children (a young girl) wearing an amulet and when I asked about it, she shied away and didn't want to talk about it. So… I decided to do a little research. A commenter mentioned anting-anting in response to an older article, but I didn't pay much attention to it.
What are these talismen?
The Wikipedia article on the Agimat gives a brief synopsis. The anting-anting can be amulets or stones, worn or ingested. One source is the heart of a banana tree.
The aforementioned commenter said that the holy mountain, Mount Banahaw, contains doorways to parallel worlds. People supposedly don't return with gold or treasure, but anting-anting of immense power. The mountain has been closed to visitors since 2004 (due to excessive littering) and is scheduled to be reopened in 2010.
People with Power
When I asked my wife about anting-anting, she told me it gave people power. Popular Filipino folklore history states that certain heroes had power due to having these talismen in their possession. Even deposed (and deceased) President Marcos was supposed to have one that made him invisible. It didn't help much when he was forced into exile, though, did it?
The only people with extraordinary powers that I've ever seen have been on television. The anting-anting seems to be a popular part of some of the local TV series as well as some of the movies.
I'm not saying that people don't get power from amulets and talismen such as these. If you believe in something strongly enough, it has the ability to manifest itself and a talisman is just one way to focus that manifestation. I personally believe the power of the mind is far stronger than anything you can possibly possess, but most people don't have the knowledge or ability to use their mind power. Perhaps the anting-anting is nothing more than a conduit for this power.
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I watched a good documentary a while back in which a martial arts expert went to meet knife fighters in Pinoyville. They all had these amulets that they never took off because they thought that they would loose their power. Some of them were having their amulets implanted under the skin to make sure it was always on them and also so no one could see it – which was also important.
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It's just one of an individuals' cognitive indicators of stress. "Fantasy is likened to make believe unfulfilled wishes and desires".
I still believed to mind's power and its ability to manipulate things over situation.
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Interesting to know about anting-anting.
great posting. it's so interesting to know more information about Philippines.
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Amulets are worn even today by superstitious people. Some say it helps others disagree. If they are as pretty as the one in the photo here it'll make a nice accessory.
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I've got a friend who is a Filipino, and I've heard a lot about it, about their superstitious beliefs. And I think he had told me that it rooted from their ancestors, and they really believe in the power that these amulets have given them in fighting away bad spirits. And I was really astonished on the story that he had told me. makeover games fanatic here
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And here I have been wasting my money on vitamins and minerals! And all the lotion! Ugg!
Filipinos in general believe in superstitions, ghosts, anting-anting, aswang ( witches) and other good luck charms. I think this is rooted in ancient religion of the Pre-Spanish inhabitants of the islands. The advent of Christianity, Spanish colonization and industrialization brought by the Americans did not diminish the practice of this ancient custom/tradition. Am I right?
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I've never actually owned an anting-anting. I think they are more popular with the oldies, and to those who live in the provinces. I would like to have one, though. :D