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Alyssa Velasuez
Abyan
In precolonial Philippines, the Babaylan were heavily sought after for spiritual healing, especially for people who could not afford or obtain medicine. They had an abundance of gold and jewelry because of their importance. The spiritual leaders were usually feminine and accepting of gender fluidity. After colonization, Spain pushed a narrative of the Babaylan being witches performing evil rituals. People began looking down on them, and they slowly faded from history.
Many Filipino Americans are unaware of the Babaylan and of indigenous culture in general. The main reason for that is the American education system. Filipino Americans usually have to seek out information as it is not taught in schools, and parents’ fear of their kids standing out.
Abyan lives on the dining table. Eating food is one of the best ways to bring people together within the Filipino community. The Abyan collection consists of the main centerpiece, the table runner, and the plates, all of which use the same materials and techniques from local communities in the Philippines. This collection was created to be interactive, helping tell the story of the Babaylan people and encouraging the Filipino American community to learn about their culture.
