Where we all pause
Here shall we begin
The Muwa
The Bayi-bayi
Her name, Amburukay
She hides her kept maidens
Hides them in her tower
The Muwa
The Bayi-bayi
Whoever gets her tuos*
Her golden pubic hair
Will marry her
Taghoy, the duwende
The spirit guide
Of Labaw Donggon
Tells him to fix
His broken bidya
With only the tuos
Of the Muwa
Of the Bayi-bayi
He takes it
He knows not of the tuos
Of the Muwa
Of the Bayi-bayi
He must marry
Amburukay
The wedding day
His house
The house of the groom
Is brought to the Muwa
To the Bayi-bayi
Labaw Donggon cries in despair
Not the Muwa
Not the Bayi-bayi
I cannot marry her
Amburukay
Is not there
It is her binukot
Her kept maidens
Her adopted daughters
Labaw Donggon rejoices
Where we all pause
Here shall we end
————————–
*A tuos is a sacred vow or pledge. (This is in reference to the story wherein anyone that gets Amburukay’s golden pubic hair must marry her, as was the sacred magical binding contract of her parents)
Written by Karl Gaverza (In the style of a Sugidanon [Epic] of Panay)
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Story adapted from Amburukay: Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay. Caballero & Caballero-Castor translation by Magos. 2015.
Amburukay Illustration by Patmai De Vera
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