The History and Power of the Babylon

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the roles, power, and persecution of the Babylon in pre-colonial and colonial Philippine history.

Babylon

Ancient Filipino women who served as spiritual leaders, healers, scientists, and warriors, acting as a bridge between the spiritual and material worlds.

Datu

The political leader and chief in ancient Philippine society, one of the four pillars of power.

Bagani

The warrior class in ancient Philippine society and one of the four pillars of power.

Pande

The master craftsman, representing one of the four pillars of power in pre-colonial Philippine society.

Spiritual Authority

The power held by the Babylon as intermediaries who performed rituals, communed with ancestor spirits, and guided souls to the afterlife.

Medical Mastery

The role of the Babylon as doctors, surgeons, and pharmacists who used herbal medicine, performed surgeries, and treated battle wounds.

Protoscientists

A term used by historians to describe the Babylon due to their knowledge of lunar cycles, weather patterns, and medicinal chemistry.

Princess Urduja

A famous leader of Pangasinan who led an all-female cavalry unit.

Kinalakihan

The name of the all-female cavalry unit led by Princess Urduja.

Keepers of Peace and Justice

The role of the Babylon in mediating conflicts, settling disputes, and overriding even the datu in matters of community welfare.

Bruhas

The Spanish word for witches, used by colonizers to delegitimize the Babylon.

Hetcheras

The Spanish term for sorceresses, used to claim that Babylon rituals were black magic or devil worship.

Soft Power

The spiritual authority and community influence held by the Babylon that the Spanish recognized as a political threat.

Gender Ideology

The rigid patriarchal system imported by Spain where women were considered property and could not own land or hold office.

1521

The year the Spanish arrived in the Philippines.

1570

The year a Spanish priest wrote to his superiors in Madrid expressing terror and fascination regarding the power of the Babylon.