Alabyánon

One of the three main classifications of spirits. They may be subdivided into the Magbabáya and "nature spirits." The latter include spirits which live in trees, cliffs, water, etc.

The most powerful is Magbabáya, followed by Magbabáya tominápay. Then come the spirits of the four cardinal points, where the earth and sky meet: Magbabáya imbatu, Magbabáya Lindoñ-an, Magbabáya Pagosan, and Magbabáya Tipónan.

A second group is called Pamahándi. Other spirits who are classified as Alabyánon, but who do not easily fit into regular groups, are Molin-olin, Domaloñdoñ, Ongli, Panglang and her servant Mangoñoyamo, Palilítan, Gomogṓnal, Talabosau, Omalágad and his aides Magománay and Dumarahol, Amimisol, Malībotan, and Aguio.

Another group of seven of the Alabyánon serve the powerful Kaliga-ṓn spirits. Their names are given to clarify their place when and if they are called during the ceremony. These are Holīdon or Holoyōdon; Degbasōn; Pamogya-on; Lumolúmbak kobáybay, data malabīdaya, "the pilot when the Kaliga-ṓn make trips"; Mayakī lioban; Mayakī batásan or kompásan; and Mayakī lombáran.

The nature spirits are lesser Alabyánon, and include Bulalákau. They are called Tagabṓgta, "lives in or on the earth," and Tagumbuana, for those living near a town. Their chief is said to reside on a mountain called Baboñan. See also Inkanto.

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