Agimat (Amulet)

Our culture is filled with superstition and supernatural beliefs which tickles the imagination. This is part of our culture which adds to the spice in our country. Make one fall in love or protection during times of war these are charms or amulets that we call.............................

Agimat

We came to visit again one of the historical sites in our area which is the Aguinaldo Shrine. The mansion of the first president of the Philippines. Within this mansion houses a lot of relics from the past and included in this collection are the Agimat (Amulet).

There are different types amulets and also different types of materials are used. Materials which ranges from metal, paper, wood, stone, seeds, cloth and sometimes bones. It is know that these amulets contain supernatural powers that gave birth to legends and tales of which enchants our perception of reality.

These are paper amulets with words in Latin, Spanish and the local Tagalog language. There is no description of what these paper amulets are for but during the time of war most of these are used for protection. Some was told to stop bullets , while others protects the user from blades and gun shot wounds.

The written incantations are read to activate the enchantment before they go into battle. During the time of war the soldiers needed all the help they could get.

As we could see the belief in spiritual and magical powers are written on this amulet. The cross along with Latin inscriptions shows a strong spiritual belief. As it is said there are good and evil amulets that exist. The evil ones will give you powers but will lose it's magical effects once brought inside a church.

These are talismans which are worn also as protection and most of them has religious symbols. There is a legend about the president that he was given an amulet by a mythical creature called Kapre. The creature was said to live on the big tree near the mansion. Large hairy dark skinned and smokes a cigar while sitting on the tree. I was so scared every time the story is told to me when I was young. The amulet that was given to the president gave him a long life as the legend was told. The president lived up to the age of 94 and he never confirmed the truth of the story.

Other powers given by the amulets are invisibility, strength, telekinesis, foresight, powers over the elements. These are just some which reminds of the X-men, mutants with gifts of superhuman abilities.

There are also stories of outlaws who used an Agimat. One is named Nardong Putik. Putik which means mud was associated with his name. He was said to carry an amulet which made him escape from the law and survive vicious gunfights. Along with the amulet he was said to consume a certain type of mud in order for the enchantment to remain potent. A gangster who turned into a local hero and became a legend. There is much more to be told maybe for another time.

These are just few of the amazing relics that we have in our country. Legends and stories born from these relics gives character and mystery to our nation.

If you were to choose what powers would you like to receive?

Thank you for joining me again I hope you enjoyed the mystery and the supernatural which I shared today.

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Also thanks to @bayanihan where the impossible becomes possible thru unity.

Taken with Lumix GX85 and 12-32 mm