Kulam (/koo-lam/) is a Tagalog word meaning "magic spell or "curse"." Often, the same word is used as a term for witchcraft.

Usage and Related Terms

Kulam is actually a Tagalog noun which literally means bewitchment; magic spell.

Although often used to mean "witchcraft," the proper term for witchcraft following Tagalog grammar is Pangkukulam (noun).

Mangkukulam (noun) is a person employing or using Kulam. Kinukulam (noun) is the target of the Kulam. Nakulam (adj.) means someone or something experiencing the effects of the Kulam. Kulamin (verb) means to bewitch; put under a spell. Ipakulam (verb) to get to be bewitched. Makulam (verb) means to be able to bewitch or to become bewitched; be under a spell (involuntarily).

Places

Kulam in the Philippines is said to be centered on the islands of Siquijor and Talalora, Western Samar and the province of Sorsogon, where many of the country's faith healers reside. Kulam also exists in many of the hinterlands, especially in Samar and Leyte.

The Mangkukulam

The Mangkukulam (/mahng-koo-koo-lam/) is the Filipino version
of witch or sorcerer, the name deriving from the word kulam. Other
terms are brujo ('bruho' for warlocks) and bruja ('bruha' for witches
), which are from the Spanish language. The verb kulamin (/koo-lah-min/) means "to place a hex". And a curse in Filipino is a sumpa (/soom-pah/).

The mangkukulam recites spells and mixes potions. Modern influences
has transformed popular perception so that the mangkukulam now also
uses the equivalent of a doll. The mangkukulam's curses is mitigated by finding him/her and giving bribes.

Superstitious
folks still attribute certain illnesses or diseases to kulam. This most
often happens in the provinces, where an herbal doctor, albularyo (/al-boo-lar-yoh/), treats them. In some rural provincial areas, people completely rely on the albularyo for treatment.