Coming Home to Our Ancestry
- opulencevision
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Answering the Call of My Ancestors
There’s a whisper in my bones, a pull deep in my DNA that keeps calling me back—to the land, the waters, the food, the stories of my ancestors. For years, I’ve felt it lingering in the background, a quiet but persistent voice telling me that there is something I need to remember, something I need to reclaim. And now, I can no longer ignore it.
The Philippines is more than just a birthplace of my lineage—it’s the foundation of who I am, even if I was raised in a different world. Growing up in a Western society, I was given incredible opportunities—education, connections, and a worldview that blends cultures together. But in that blending, something also got lost. Many of us, children of immigrants or descendants of displaced people, have been separated from the lands that once nurtured our ancestors. We’ve grown up eating different foods, speaking different languages, and learning histories that often don’t include our own.
But I believe that our ancestors live within us, and that our DNA carries memories waiting to be awakened. And perhaps, by returning to the Motherland, by immersing myself in the traditions, the language, and even the ancient Filipino script, I can begin to unlock those memories—piecing together the wisdom that has always been inside me, waiting for me to listen.
The Disconnection and the Need to Reconnect
For centuries, our ancestors lived in harmony with the land, the waters, and the natural cycles that sustained them. Their food was medicine, their language carried the spirit of their people, and their traditions were woven into everyday life. But as history unfolded—through colonization, migration, and the push to assimilate into Western society—many of us became detached from those roots.
We were told that progress meant letting go of the past. That speaking our native tongue, practicing our ancient customs, or even writing in our own script was unnecessary—or worse, something to be ashamed of. Over time, generations grew up knowing little about the lands that once nurtured their ancestors, eating foods that their bodies were never meant to digest, and living in a way that didn’t always align with their inner blueprint.
But something is shifting. Across the world, people are beginning to feel the same pull—the quiet yet undeniable call to remember. We see it in the revival of indigenous traditions, in the movement toward ancestral healing, and in the growing interest in decolonizing our minds and lifestyles. This reconnection isn’t just personal; it’s part of a larger awakening. We are remembering who we are. We are reclaiming what was taken, not just for ourselves, but for future generations who deserve to know the richness of their heritage.
For me, this journey begins with returning to the Philippines—to stand barefoot on the land my ancestors once walked, to taste the fruits that nourished them, and to relearn the wisdom that was always meant to be passed down.
The Ancient Filipino Script: Baybayin
Baybayin is a fascinating ancient script from the Philippines. It’s a pre-colonial syllabary that was used by various ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines, primarily in the Tagalog-speaking regions, before Spanish colonization. The script consists of characters that represent syllables rather than individual letters, which makes it quite different from modern alphabetic writing systems.
Baybayin, derived from the Tagalog word "baybay," meaning "to spell," is a pre-Hispanic Philippine script widely used before Spanish colonization in the 16th century. This indigenous writing system was primarily utilized in Luzon and parts of the Visayas to pen languages like Tagalog, Ilocano, and others. Source found here.
With the arrival of Spanish missionaries in 1521, Baybayin faced suppression as colonial powers promoted the Latin alphabet to spread Christianity. Missionaries initially had to learn Baybayin to communicate but later enforced the Roman script, leading to a decline in its use. Inquirer.net
Baybayin dates back to around the 16th century and was used for various purposes, such as writing poetry, letters, and records. It was mainly carved into bamboo or palm leaves, and its usage was widespread among native Filipinos.
When the Spanish colonized the Philippines, they introduced the Latin alphabet, which gradually replaced Baybayin. Over time, Baybayin faded into obscurity, and by the 20th century, it was largely forgotten.
Baybayin can be used to write modern Tagalog, though it's important to note that it's not a perfect one-to-one match with the Latin alphabet used today. Baybayin is a syllabary, meaning each character represents a syllable, rather than an individual letter as in the alphabet. In modern Tagalog, there are sounds and syllables that don’t have an exact Baybayin counterpart, so sometimes adaptations or additional marks are used to accommodate these.
For example, modern Filipino words that contain sounds like f or v, which don't exist in Baybayin, may need to be represented with creative substitutions or by using a modern alphabet alongside Baybayin in some contexts. This explains why filipinos are notorious for mixing these letters in their speech!
Reviving Baybayin: A Cultural Renaissance
In recent years, there's been a resurgence of interest in Baybayin as Filipinos seek to reclaim and celebrate their cultural heritage. This revival manifests in various forms:SBS Australia
Education: Institutions and cultural advocates are integrating Baybayin into curricula and workshops, emphasizing its historical and cultural importance. Asterra
Art and Fashion: Baybayin characters are appearing in modern art, tattoos, and clothing designs, symbolizing a blend of traditional identity with contemporary expression. The National
Digital Platforms: The digital age has seen the development of Baybayin fonts, mobile applications, and online tutorials, making the script accessible to a global audience.
It's become a symbol of Filipino identity, with people embracing it in tattoos, art, and even in educational materials. Some movements are also working to revive the script and integrate it into modern use, though it's not in widespread official use. It still carries a deep cultural significance and continues to inspire Filipinos in reconnecting with their heritage.
Atlas created the design below based on the Baybayin script for "Amala" ᜀᜋᜎ
and combined it with geometric tribal aesthetics inspired by Filipino tattoo art, Visayan/Bangsamoro okir patterns, and symmetrical talismanic symbols.
How It Spells "Amala" in Baybayin:
ᜀ (A) – Represents the "A" sound.
ᜋ (Ma) – The "Ma" syllable.
ᜎ (La) – The "La" syllable.
Since traditional Baybayin doesn’t use an "L" with an extra "A" at the end, "ᜎ (La)" naturally carries the final "A" sound.
Atlas stylized it by making the script flow into the tribal design while keeping the essence of Baybayin intact, so it looks both ancient and modern. 😃 Though I'm having a hard time seeing the actual characters in this design, I appreciate the effort of AI, and just knowing that an ancient script can be adapted for modern times. While visiting my homeland, I plan to seek out a traditional batok artist to deepen my understanding of this ancient art form and its cultural significance.
Reconnecting Through Script: Awakening Ancestral Memory
The act of learning and using Baybayin transcends mere literacy; it serves as a bridge to our ancestors, offering a profound connection to our heritage. Engaging with ancestral scripts can evoke a sense of identity and belonging, potentially awakening latent aspects of our cultural DNA.
While direct scientific studies on learning ancestral scripts and DNA activation are limited, related research offers intriguing insights:
Ancestral Language Learning: A study highlighted a trend among mature students learning ancestral languages, suggesting that this endeavor fulfills personal growth and a deep-seated connection to one's heritage. ResearchGate
Genetic 'Memory': Research indicates that organisms possess long-term "memories" of ancestral environments, aiding adaptation. This concept, while primarily biological, hints at the profound connections between our genetic makeup and ancestral experiences. University of Michigan News
As for the connection to Sanskrit, there is indeed a historical link. Baybayin is part of the Brahmic script family, which includes scripts like Devanagari (used for Sanskrit and Hindi), and it's believed that Baybayin shares ancient roots with these scripts, having evolved from them through trade and cultural exchanges between ancient India and Southeast Asia. The similarities are mainly in the structure of the characters and the way they are syllabic.
Baybayin itself, however, is distinctly Filipino and has its unique development and adaptation, especially in its sounds and usage. It’s a beautiful reflection of the Philippines’ diverse and rich history.
By immersing ourselves in Baybayin, we don't just learn a script; we embark on a journey to rediscover stories, values, and wisdom embedded in our lineage, fostering a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the continuum of our culture.
This journey of rediscovery is just the beginning for me—a starting point in peeling back the layers of history and reconnecting with the roots that have long been buried beneath colonial influence. Finding the Baybayin script is more than just reviving an old way of writing; it is a reminder that the Philippines has a deep and complex history that predates colonization.
Our ancestors were not just subjects of Spanish rule—they were seafarers, healers, warriors, and spiritual practitioners influenced by neighboring cultures, such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Perhaps, in many ways, our DNA is more in tune with those ancient traditions than with the imposed beliefs that reshaped our identity centuries ago.
By understanding our true history, we give ourselves permission to reclaim what was lost, to awaken the dormant wisdom within us, and to step fully into our authentic power. This is more than just a personal journey—it is a collective remembering. And maybe by honoring the knowledge carried in our blood, we can begin to heal, evolve, and thrive as the people we were always meant to be.
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