Monday, August 23, 2010

Philippine Mythology

Philippine mythology and folklore includes a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities. Some Filipinos, even though heavily Westernized and Christianized, still believe in such entities. The prevalence of belief in the figures of Philippine mythology is strong in the provinces.

Because the country has many islands and is inhabited by different ethnic groups, Philippine Mythology and superstitions are very diverse. However, certain similarities exist among these groups, such as the belief in Heaven (kaluwalhatian, kalangitan), Hell (impiyerno, kasanaan), and the human soul (kaluluwa).

The Philippine Pantheon

Ancient Philippine mythology, while not as widely known as its European and East Asian counterparts, contains similar elements to other mythologies, including deities, creation stories, mythical creatures, and beliefs.

Ancient Philippine mythology varies among the many indigenous tribes of the Philippines. Some tribes during the pre-Spanish conquest era believed in a single Supreme Being who created the world and everything in it, while others chose to worship a multitude of tree and forest deities (diwatas). Below are some of the gods and goddesses of the various ancient Philippine tribes:

Luzon gods

Bathala — also known formally as Bathalang Maykapal or Maykapal for short and by the Cebuano people as Abba — is the Tagalogs chief god that is the creator of the universe and humanity.

Apo Laki is the Tagalog god of the sun and lord of war. He is the son of Bathala and brother of Mayari, but in the other myth his sister is Dian Masalanta and his parents were Anagolay and Dumakulem. He is identified to the Pangasinense god Ama/Apo-Kaoley, he is called by some people as Adlaw but actually it is a Visayan word for "Sun" just like his sister Mayari (who is called Bulan).

Mayari is the ancient Tagalog goddess and protector of the moon, one-eyed but extremely beautiful. She is the daughter of Bathala and sister of Tala and Apo Lake. Apo Lake and Mayari once got into argument about who would be the better ruler of the world. Apo Lake referred to his male strengths and Mayari insisted on equal rights. The dispute intensified and the two started to hit each other with wooden bars. Mayari received a blow on her face and was blinded on one eye. Apolake was very sorry for his deed and he offered her friendship and mutual change in the power over the world and Mayari agreed.

Malyari (Apo Namalyari) is the Kapampangan / Aeta god ruling over night and representing the moon (Bulan). His/Her brother/sister is Sinukuan and the two of them often had rock-throwing battles. He/She settles at Mount Pinatubo and is said to have caused the June 1991 eruption. In another version, he/she is the Creator. He/she is also renowned as the god whom all things were possible, thus Malyari (Possible).

Suku (Apung Sinukuan) is the Kapampangan deity ruling over daylight and representing the sun (Aldo). Winning a bamboo pole combat against his/her brother/sister Malyari, he/she chose Mount Arayat as his/her abode for it was the center of the Kapangpangan region. He/She is renowned as the Destroyer. His/her constant enmity with Malyari the Creator keeps the balance of nature and cycle of harmonious life. Suku, literally meaning peak of time or an indeterminate end, is also renowned as the Kapampangan god of time and space.

Dian Masalanta is the ancient Tagalogs goddess of love, pregnancy, childbirth. But in the other myth, she is the daughter of Anagolay and Dumakulem with Apo Lake, the god of war, her brother.

Lakapati (Ikapati, Lakanpati) is the ancient Tagalogs deity of fertility and cultivated fields, a hermaphrodite. (S)He is also the protector of crops and farm animals. As Ikapati she is a great mother goddess for the Tagalogs, her name means "giver of food" and her worshippers pray for her to protect them from starvation. She protects the growing food and animals for her people who acknowledge her and provides abundance during the harvest. In other myths, she is a consort of Bathala/Abba (both of them were sometimes viewed as hermaphrodite), and was first responsible for the creation of the universe. It was thought that she started creating the universe, but it was Bathala who finished it. During the early period of Spanish Colonialization, Lakapati was used by evangelists as a native equivalent for the Holy Spirit.

Lakan Bakod is the ancient Tagalog god of fences, Loarca explains, and was approached by the tagalogs to keep their fences strong.

Anitun Tabu is the Tagalog goddess of the wind and rain.

Idianalé (Idianalo, Ideale) is the ancient Tagalogs goddess of works and good actions. She is invoke by the ancient Tagalog people for guidance and success in their workings, even the farmers call upon her for help and protection that is why she is also worshipped as a goddess of agriculture specially animal hunsbandry. She is said to be a favorite deity of the Katalonans(ancient Tagalog priestess or priest).

Tadaklan is the Tinguian god of thunder, as worshiped by those people of central Luzon.

Kimat is the lightning dog, owned by Tadaklan. When Kimat attacks, he comes down from heaven and bites whatever it is aimed at.

OTHER GODS

Kaptan is the ancient Visayan sky god, for those people who still believe in him. In mythology, he is often shown as the sibling of Maguayen, who is the god of the sea.

Kan-Laon(Lalahon) is the southern Visayan supreme deity, especially in the island of Negros where her abode is Mt. Kanlaon.

Gugurang is the Bicolano chief god and keeper of a sacred fire atop Mt. Mayon.

Aswang is the Bicolano god of evil, where he is both the brother and enemy to Gugurang.

Haliya is the Bicolano goddess of the moon and protector of women.

By Jayson with 1 comment

1 comments:

Wow! Nice content! I also want to share this Lagim Card game that my Family and I are enjoying. It's amazing that they actually came up with the idea of Philippine Folklore since it's kind of dying down a bit. It will surely educate future generation.

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