Definition of the word 'Manggagaway'

"Manggagaway" is a tagalog word for "Babaylan", "Manggagamot", "Shaman". The manggagaway or babaylan is a priest/priestess of the indigenous tradition which existed before the onset of European colonialism in the Philippines. Mostly females, the babaylan functions as a healer, seer, adviser, medium, divine mediator, and a highly-respected spiritual leader of the community.