ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Souls in Filipino cultures

Hey kiddo, have you ever heard grown-ups talk about "souls"? It's something that many people believe is inside of them, and it makes them who they are. But did you know that in Filipino cultures, people have different beliefs about souls?

For some Filipinos, they believe that everyone has more than one soul. Can you believe that? One soul is called the "kaluluwa," and it's what makes people alive and breathing. It's the part of you that helps you move, think, and feel.

But there's a second type of soul called the "kamalayan." This one is a little bit trickier to explain. Imagine a big book that has all of your thoughts and experiences in it. That's what the kamalayan is like – it's like a book of your memories and thoughts. When you die, your kamalayan gets passed down to your family so they can remember you and keep your memory alive.

Some people also believe that there are other types of souls out there. There are "anito," which are like spirits of nature, and "duwende," which are little elves or gnomes that live in the forest. Some people believe that these beings have souls too, and they need to be respected just like humans.

In Filipino cultures, souls are very important. People believe that they need to take care of their souls by living a good life and being kind to others. When someone dies, their family will often hold a special ceremony to make sure that their soul can rest peacefully.

So there you have it, kiddo. Souls in Filipino cultures are a bit more complicated than just one thing inside of you. But it's really interesting to learn about all the different beliefs people have about what makes us who we are.