Religion and Magic 301 



Liblibayan, Banbanayo, and Banbantay, are lesser spirits, who 

 formerly aided "the people of the first times." 



The term "Alan" comprises a large body of spirits with half human, 

 half bird-like forms. They have wings and can fly; their toes are at 

 the back of their feet, and their fingers attach to the wrists and point 

 backward. Often they hang from the branches of trees, like bats, but 

 they are also pictured as having fine houses and great riches. They 

 are sometimes hostile or mischievous, but more frequently are friendly. 

 They play a very important part in the mythology, but not in the cult. 1 



Komau is a giant spirit, who, according to tradition, was killed by 

 the hero Sayen. Among the Ilocano and some of the Tinguian, the 

 Komau is known as a great invisible bird, which steals people and 

 their possessions. He does not visit the people through the bodies 

 of the mediums. 



Anito is a general term used to designate members of the spirit 

 world. 



A survey of the foregoing list brings out a noticeable lack of nature- 

 spirits; of trees, rocks, and natural formations considered as animate; 

 and of guardian spirits of families and industries. There is a strong 

 suggestion, however, in the folk-tales to the effect that this has not 

 always been the case ; and even to-day there are some conflicts regard- 

 ing the status of certain spirits. In the village of Manabo, thunder is 

 known as Kidol ; in Likuan and Bakaok, as Kido-ol ; and in each 

 place he is recognized as a powerful spirit. In Ba-ay, two types of 

 lightning are known to be spirits. The flash from the sky is Salit, 

 that "from the ground" is Kilawit. Here thunder is Kadaklan, but 

 the sun is the all powerful being. He is male, and is "so powerful that 

 he does not need or desire ceremonies or houses." The moon is like- 

 wise a powerful spirit, but female. 



In the discussion of the tales 2 it was suggested that these and other 

 ideas, which differ from those held by the majority of the tribe, may 

 represent older conceptions, which have been swamped, or may have 

 been introduced into Abra by emigrants from the north and east. 



The Mediums. — The superior beings talk with mortals through 

 the aid of mediums, known individually and collectively as alopogan 

 ("she who covers her face"). 8 These are generally women past middle 

 life, though men are not barred from the profession, who, when 



1 Traditions of the Tinguian, this volume, No. 1, p. 15. 

 'Traditions of the Tinguian, this volume. No. 1, p. 32. 

 * The medium is also sometimes called manganito. 



