Introduction / History

The Baybayanon give their name to Baybay City, Leyte Island. They are indigenous to the area but are outnumbered by Cebuanos and other Philippine peoples who have settled in their areas. As a result many are bi- and trilingual, speaking their own language plus one or two other Philippine languages. Indeed, the media are Cebuano, not Baybayanon. They are a minority within their own land; their language has been influenced by Cebuano.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many are farmers, growing coconuts, corn (maize), rice, and root crops. Others fish near Baybay City. Families often live in clusters. There is community decision-making. Income is often seasonal. They are an orally-inclined society which preserves their culture through folk songs, folklore and sayings; however, their language is in decline due to out-migration, urbanization, Cebuano media, and their youth learning Cebuano.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Their beliefs are encapsulated in folk-Catholicism, a blend of pre-Christian animism and Catholic Christianity. Thus, they venerate forest and ancestral spirits and trust omens. They practice native folk-medicine (herbalism) and shamans. There is a small evangelical presence. However, the Bible is not available in their language.

What Are Their Needs?

As the above shows, they need language and ethnic preservation, economic stability in the face of natural disasters (typhoons and famine). They need resilience against such disasters. Rural populations need access to health care and physicians. They need their own media and Scripture in their own language.

Prayer Items

Consequently, pray for ethnic identity preservation, language preservation, and the Bible in their own language, which will help preserve both.
Pray for economic stability.
Pray that Cebuano radio will permit Bible-teaching programs in Baybayanon.
Pray for improved discipleship among believers.
Pray for outreach by local believers and that Christ proves himself more powerful than spirits or ancestors.
Pray that Cebuano Christians will reach out to their Baybayanon neighbors.
Pray for a people movement among the Baybayanon.

Scripture Prayers for the Baybayanon in Philippines.

References

SIL Ethnologue