Witchcraft in the Philippines

Kulam, or witchcraft, in Philippine Psychology, is a variant of the European witchcraft. Kulam in the Philippines is said to be centered on the island of Siquijor, where many of the country's faith healers reside.

The mangkukulam, a witch or warlock, recites a spell and pierces the part of a doll where he or she wants what it represents to experience suffering. This is mitigated by finding the mangkukulam and bribing him or her. Superstitious folks still attribute certain illnesses or diseases to kulam. This most often happens in the provinces, where an herbal doctor, albularyo (pronounced as al-boo-lar-yoh), treats them. In some rural provincial areas, people completely rely on the albularyo for treatment.

Example of spell

to summon rain: "mamumo ang ulap, didilim ang kalawakan; sa kapangyarihan ng tatlong ulit na espiritu luluha ang sangkatauhan" [1]

See also

• Voodoo doll