Close up of the Mayari, the deity of the moon. Wearing a Maria Clara dress that is mostly ivory except for a shorter skirt (navy and with vine patterns that go vertically up the skirt) that goes over the ivory one. Clouds partially cover her face and she is sitting on a crescent moon.

The goddess Mayari is sitting on the crescent moon, wearing a nearly sheer beige dress. Clouds are partially covering her face and the moon. The sky behind her is colored like twilight and there is a raging water below her. In the water is the gaping maw of a monster with sharp teeth.

"Mayari, The Moon"

From Gallery IYN's "Sensational Epoch" show.

Showing off the "Maria Clara" fashion popular during the colonial period of the Philippines. This is also showing the legend of the Bakunawa, who coveted the moon!

#FilipinoMythology #precolonialphilippines

Ethnoastronomy and the Ancient Skies of the Philippines Before GPS or written calendars, ancient Filipinos looked to the stars for guidance. In this episode, we journey into the rich, often-forgotten world of Philippine ethnoastronomy, discovering how our ancestors intimately understood the cosmos and wove it into the fabric of their daily lives. Picking up from our last episode on global sky-gazing traditions, we'll dive deep into the unique star lore of the Philippine archipelago. Learn about the prominent constellation  Balatik (Orion) , interpreted not as a hunter, but as a boar trap or weaving frame , signaling crucial agricultural seasons across diverse ethnolinguistic groups like the Tagalog, Maguindanaons, Bikol, Bagobo, Teduray, Ilokanos, Igorots, and Matigsalug-Manobo. Discover Moroporo (Pleiades), known by various names such as Mapolon or Supot ni Hudas to the Tagalogs , and its vital role in marking crop planning and sea navigation. We'll explore how these "star patterns," or talampad, served as sophisticated natural calendars, guiding agricultural activities from clearing forests with Baha (Taurus) to predicting rich harvests with Gibbang (Gemini) and Malara (Canis Minor). You'll also hear how expert Filipino seafarers relied on stars like Mamahi Uttara (North Star) and Bunta (Southern Cross) for precise navigation across vast oceans. Join us as we uncover how this profound celestial wisdom, once central to survival and culture, faced the threat of erasure due to modernization and colonial influence. We'll honor the pioneering work of Dr. Dante L. Ambrosio, "the Father of Philippine Ethnoastronomy", and highlight ongoing efforts to reclaim and revitalize this invaluable indigenous knowledge. This episode is a call to remember the ancient skies and the deep connections our ancestors shared with the universe above. You'll never look at the stars the same way again. If this episode sparked your curiosity, made you feel a little more enchanted, or reminded you of the stories hiding in plain sight—I’d love for you to stay connected with the LilWeird Universe. You can support the podcast, explore more curious content, and help keep this little world growing, glowing, and wonderfully weird. Here’s how you can support and explore more: 🌕 Become a Ko-fi supporter and receive the https://ko-fi.com/i/IQ5Q61HPGYW—a dreamy little guide to help you reflect, set intentions, and write under the phases of the moon 🌌 Follow the https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lilweird-podcast--6099720 on your favorite app ✨ Leave a rating or review! It helps more curious minds find us 🌿 Join as a monthly supporter on https://ko-fi.com/lilweirduniverse to unlock future perks and behind-the-scenes magic 🧭 Explore all LilWeird links here → Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lilweirduniverse Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilweird_universe/ Substack:https://lilweirduniverse.substack.com/ Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/lilweirduniverse Thank you for listening—and for keeping wonder alive. Stay curious. Keep your wonder close. 🌙✨ A gentle note: This episode of LilWeird Podcast is a blend of researched facts, folklore, personal reflection, and creative storytelling. While efforts were made to ensure accuracy, this episode is intended for curious exploration, not as a scientific or academic resource. Listener discretion is encouraged when interpreting historical or cultural content. References and Suggested Readings: https://books.google.com.ph/books/about/Balatik_etnoastronomiya.html?id=abX1ZwEACAAJ&redir_esc=y by Dr. Dante L. Ambrosio (considered a monumental study on Philippine ethnoastronomy) https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/our-museums/national-planetarium/, National Museum of the Philippines: While "Filipino Life Guided by Skies" is a key exhibition for insights into ethnoastronomy practices, please note that the National Planetarium is temporarily closed for visitors as of July 2025. https://www.aswangproject.com/: A great online resource for precolonial astronomy in the Philippines and other folklore. https://www.researchgate.net/search: Search for articles on Philippine ethnoastronomy for academic papers and ongoing research. Credits: Intro Music - https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2025/06/02/audio_772fa92c16.mp3?filename=ambient-meditative-clear-sky-353119.mp3 Outro Music - https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2024/08/13/audio_cc7e9a45a5.mp3?filename=velvet-sky-lofi-ambient-231924.mp3

📣 New Podcast! "Ethnoastronomy and the Ancient Skies of the Philippines" on @Spreaker #ancientphilippines #animism #astronomy #culture #history #mythology #oraltraditions #philippine #precolonialphilippines #starmyths #weirdhistory

#Manunggul Jar, a secondary burial jar from pre-colonial #Palawan (890–710 BC), #Philippines. The lid of the jar, featured in the print, depicts the soul’s journey to the afterlife.

#ManunggulJar #BurialJar #Philippines #PrecolonialPhilippines #Archaeology #Printmaking #PrintmakingPhilippines

And it would really hurt if said that babaylan’s got their gifts from the Christian god. (It had happened before 🫠)

#precolonialphilippines

Overhead view of how Tondo might have appeared at its peak.

Precolonial Philippines is often misunderstood or oversimplified.

Let's bust some of the most persistent myths about Tondo and the complex world that existed in the era before the Spanish set foot on the islands. 🧵🔍

#PhilippineHistory #PrecolonialPhilippines #SoutheastAsianHistory #Tondo

Next up in our mini-series: Who did this kingdom deal with beyond its borders?

We'll delve into its diplomacy, forge alliances, and confront its enemies across Southeast Asia and beyond.

Don't miss the next instalment! Follow us for more. 🧵🌏

#TondoHistory #PrecolonialPhilippines

A performer depicting a babaylan in a Babaylan Festival in Bago City. Hptina24, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The Spanish were quick to label native beliefs as idolatry or superstition. They targeted babaylans for elimination. Yet echoes of Tondo's spiritual world survive, evident in folk healing, fiestas, and even in the language itself.

#PhilippineHistory #PrecolonialPhilippines #CulturalHeritage

Illustration of the ancient riverine polity of Tondo, Philippines, showing a bustling trading port with indigenous boats and a pre-Islamic temple, reflecting its historical significance and cultural heritage. AI generated.

Where did the Kingdom of Tondo come from? Who were its founders, and when did it emerge? We don't have a clear origin story, but we do have fragments: oral traditions, foreign records and archaeology. Let's piece them together. 🧩🇵🇭

#Tondo #PhilippineHistory #AncientKingdoms #PrecolonialPhilippines

This week, we explore the Kingdom of Tondo, a fascinating precolonial Philippine polity. We'll delve into its rulers, trade, language, spiritual life, and clash with colonial powers, uncovering its lasting legacy.

#PhilippineHistory #PrecolonialPhilippines #Tondo #Philippines

I'm here now 😈.. Have some gay people! This is my first real drawing after my switch to procreate teheh
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#filipinoartist #asianartist #ocart #filipina #pinoy #goth #gothpoc #altpoc #horrorart #asianhorror #precolonialphilippines