As the offering was set below the tree a silent spirit gave its blessing.
A sense of strength surged through the young man and he took his hunting spear to set out into the wilds.
The spirit that gave its blessing nodded in approval until the young man was out of sight.
It was then that a congregation of spirits floated towards the tree.
“Fellow bakayauwan, can we speak with you?” The chorus of spirits echoed.
The silent spirit nodded and floated beside the tree.
“You have given this young man blessings for many daybreaks now. He still hasn’t caught anything,” said one of the fellow spirits.
“He can barely track prey, I saw him go around the same rock seven times before he realized his quarry had left him behind,” A spirit intoned.
Another spirit chimed “Out of all those that hunt here he is the weakest. I saw him try to spear a boar yesterday and he hit a tree… twice”
And the spirits laughed (or as close to laughing as a spirit can get).
‘There is nothing special about this young man’ was the consensus of the spirits and they let their peer know of their disapproval.
To this the lone spirit answered “All the more reason to help him. Those that are already strong have no need for our blessings. This hunter has visited my tree every time he would set out to the forest. He treats not only me with respect but the entire land. His catch—-”
“—if he can find any.” A spirit interrupted.
“—His catch is always dedicated to the spirits, for he knows the land is not his alone, it is ours to share.”
“The humans should already know that, and if they don’t, they will know through our wrath.”
“But would you not rather work with the humans to let them feel nature’s bliss? It is not just about this hunter but also his entire people. He will teach the song of the winds through the branches, the delicate pathways that lead to crystal rivers and the quiet dignity of the hushed prayers to the gods and spirits.”
Silence fell among the host of spirits as they ruminated on their fellow’s words.
One spirit still stood unconvinced.
“We are the sentinels of the hunt! It is only through strength that they will see our power! We who are strong shall share our power with those that are strong then the humans will know to rise up! Let the weak fall and their blood water our trees.”
“A tree watered with blood will not blossom as one that is tended. Those that need our help the most will see our blessings as proof that we live as one.”
The doubtful spirit shook his head. “Do what you must and we shall see what will happen.” And thus it floated away.
One by one the spirits floated away to give blessings to hunters in their own domains.
And the words of the spirit resonated.
“The land is not his alone, it is ours to share.”
=————————————————————=
Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Illustration by Shiela Rae Co
IG: @naitinta
Inspired by the Bakayauwan description in Jocano, F. Landa. (1969). Outline of Philippine Mythology. Manila: Centro Escolar University Research and Development Center, p. 16.