This term belongs under the topic of folk religion in the Philippines.
umalagad
ancestor spirit
umalagad
ancestral spirits
umalagad
soul
Also spelled umalagar.
For those who are left behind, these ancestor spirits were called umalagad, from the Visayan word alagad, meaning “voluntary servant” or “follower” (those who take care of the still alive).
The belief in the umalagad is particularly prevalent in the mythology of the Suludnon people.
After cleansing itself, the umalagad proceeds on its journey to Lim-awen, a deep lake whose dark and sticky water whirls and bubbles towards its panibwangan (navel).
The umalagad was mentioned in Historia General Sacro-Profana, Política y Natural de Las Islas del Poniente Llamadas Filipinas, written by the Jesuit priest Juan José Delgado in the 18th century. He also mentioned the terms diwata, pasintabi, anito, and balangaw.
Padre Delgado
Juan José Delgado, S.J. (1697-1755)
Antropólogo, médico y boticario en Filipinas
