Waray-Waray, Binisaya in Philippines

Introduction / History

The Waray-Waray Binisaya live on islands. They are principally located on Samar, Leyte, and Bilran islands, to the south of Manila, which is on another island. There are five epochs in Waray-Waray Binisaya history: pre-colonial, Spanish colonial, American colonial, Japanese colonial, and post-colonial Philippine national. These were interspersed with three major wars: Spanish conquest starting around 1500, Spanish-American War (1898), and World War II (1941-45). Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the Waray-Waray, an Austronesian Malay people, were tribal and animistic. With the arrival of the Spaniards, came towns centered around plazas, Roman Catholicism, and European education. English and Protestantism was introduced during the American period and education was further developed. (However, the Waray-Waray retained their own language.) Under the Japanese, Shintoism was introduced. After World War II, the U.S. gave the Philippines independence. Today the Philippines has the largest Christian population in Asia, and the Waray-Waray are mostly Christian, although few are evangelical.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Waray-Waray live in coastal towns and rural villages. Some fish, others are laborers in some industries. Agriculture consists of rice, coconuts, and root crops. Many, however, leave to go to work in Manila. The extended family and ancestors are important. Festivals are important group activities, as are other community activities. Dances, folklore, and poetry are popular.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Waray-Waray Binisaya are nominally Roman Catholic. However, they practice mostly folk-Catholicism, a syncretistic mix of traditional religion and Christianity. They fear spirits, venerate ancestors, consult shamans, and fear or trust omens. Some are Protestants. They have Bible resources in their language.

What Are Their Needs?

The Waray-Waray Binisaya have spiritual, emotional, and physical needs. Due to periodic natural disasters, mostly typhoons, there is a need for rebuilding the environment and healing from trauma. They need more health care, more employment, and more rural educational opportunities.

Spiritually, they need biblical discipleship, church leadership development, and biblical literacy training.

Prayer Points

Pray for discipleship and church leadership development, biblical literacy, and Bible distribution.
Pray for healthy churches that will disciple many.
Pray for youth to put all their faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray for community development projects to reduce out-migration.
Pray they will experience freedom from fear of spirits and curses.
Pray for protection from natural disasters.

Text Source:   Joshua Project