Anito

Anito, also written anitu, is a word for ancestor spirits, nature spirits and gods in many island belief systems. In many Visayan and other communities, the same beings are called diwata. A ritual to speak with them, led by a shaman, is called pag-anito. If the spirit is a nature spirit or a deity, the ritual is a pagdiwata. Each group has its own words for ancestor spirits, such as kalading among the Igorot, and nuno among Tagalog and Visayan speakers.

The word also names carved figures called taotao. They were made of wood, stone or ivory, and usually showed a dead person, seated with arms across the knees. Wikipedia says they were not holy by themselves. They became holy only during a pag-anito. Missionaries saw them in almost every house. The Ifugao bulul and the Tagalog lambana are related kinds.

Spanish writers recorded the belief early. Francisco de Sande wrote in 1576, and Miguel de Loarca in 1582. Loarca said anito were helpers of a high being called Batala. Under Spanish rule, the word came to mean mainly an idol. Today, souvenir taotao are sold, and festivals in Bago and Puerto Princesa honor these traditions.