Al-lot attends festivals and prevents quarrels.

Liblibayan, Banbanayo, and Banbantay, are lesser spirits, who formerly aided “the people of the first times.”

The term “Alan” comprises a large body of spirits with half human, half bird-like forms.  They have wings and can fly; their toes are at the back of their feet, and their fingers attach to the wrists and point backward.  Often they hang from the branches of trees, like bats, but they are also pictured as having fine houses and great riches.  They are sometimes hostile or mischievous, but more frequently are friendly.  They play a very important part in the mythology, but not in the cult. [121]

Komau is a giant spirit, who, according to tradition, was killed by the hero Sayen.  Among the Ilocano and some of the Tinguian, the Komau is known as a great invisible bird, which steals people and their possessions.  He does not visit the people through the bodies of the mediums.

Anito is a general term used to designate members of the spirit world.

A survey of the foregoing list brings out a noticeable lack of nature-spirits; of trees, rocks, and natural formations considered as animate; and of guardian spirits of families and industries.  There is a strong suggestion, however, in the folk-tales to the effect that this has not always been the case; and even to-day there are some conflicts regarding the status of certain spirits.  In the village of Manabo, thunder is known as Kidol; in Likuan and Bakaok, as Kido-ol; and in each place he is recognized as a powerful spirit.  In Ba-ay, two types of lightning are known to be spirits.  The flash from the sky is Salit, that “from the ground” is Kilawit.  Here thunder is Kadaklan, but the sun is the all powerful being.  He is male, and is “so powerful that he does not need or desire ceremonies or houses.”  The moon is likewise a powerful spirit, but female.

In the discussion of the tales [122] it was suggested that these and other ideas, which differ from those held by the majority of the tribe, may represent older conceptions, which have been swamped, or may have been introduced into Abra by emigrants from the north and east.

The Mediums.—­The superior beings talk with mortals through the aid of mediums, known individually and collectively as alopogan ("she who covers her face"). [123] These are generally women past middle life, though men are not barred from the profession, who, when chosen, are made aware of the fact by having trembling fits when they are not cold, by warnings in dreams, or by being informed by other mediums that they are desired by the spirits.  A woman may live the greater part of her life without any idea of becoming a medium, and then because of such a notification will undertake to qualify.  She goes to one already versed, and from her learns the details of the various ceremonies, the gifts suitable for each spirit, and the chants or diams which