*Note this story is in Tagalog

Habang ang handog ay inilagay sa ibaba ng puno, isang tahimik na espiritu ang nagbigay ng basbas nito.

Isang pakiramdam ng lakas ang bumalot sa binata at kinuha niya ang kanyang sibat sa pangangaso para umalis sa ilang.

Ang espiritung nagbigay ng basbas nito ay tumango bilang pagsang-ayon hanggang sa mawala sa paningin ng binata.

Doon din ang isang kongregasyon ng mga espiritu ay lumutang patungo sa puno.

“Kapwa bakayuwan, maaari ka ba naming makausap?” Umalingawngaw ang koro ng mga espiritu.

Tumango ang tahimik na espiritu at lumutang sa tabi ng puno.

“Binigyan mo ang binatang ito ng mga pagpapala para sa maraming araw na ngayon. Wala pa rin siyang nahuhuli,” sabi ng isa sa mga kasamang espiritu.

“Halos hindi niya masubaybayan ang huhulihing hayop, nakita ko siyang umikot sa parehong bato nang pitong beses bago niya napagtanto na naiwan na siya ng kanyang hinuhuli,” pahayag ng isang espiritu.

Ang isa pang espiritu ay sumingit, “Sa lahat ng nanghuhuli dito, siya ang pinakamahina. Nakita kong sinubukan niyang sumibat ng baboy-ramo kahapon at natamaan niya ang isang puno…nang dalawang beses”

At nagtawanan ang mga espiritu (o kasing lapit ng tawa ng isang espiritu).

‘Walang bukod-tangi sa binatang ito’ ang pinagkasunduan ng mga espiritu at ipinaalam nila sa kanilang mga kasamahan ang kanilang hindi pagsang-ayon.

Dito ay sumagot ang nag-iisang espiritu “Lalong dahilan para tulungan siya. Ang mga malakas na ay hindi na kailangan ng ating mga pagpapala. Ang mangangaso na ito ay bumisita sa aking puno sa tuwing pupunta siya sa kagubatan. Hindi lamang niya ako tinatrato nang may paggalang kundi ang buong lupain. Ang huli niya—-”

“—kung may mahanap siya.” Isang espiritu ang sumabat.

“—Ang kanyang huli ay palaging nakatuon sa mga espiritu, dahil alam niya na ang lupain ay hindi nag-iisa, ito ay atin upang ibahagi.”

“Dapat alam na iyon ng mga tao, at kung hindi nila alam, malalaman nila sa pamamagitan ng ating galit.”

“Ngunit hindi mo ba gugustuhin na makipagtulungan sa mga tao upang hayaan silang madama ang kaligayahan ng kalikasan? Ito ay hindi lamang tungkol sa mangangaso na ito kundi pati na rin sa kanyang mga tauhan. Ituturo niya ang awit ng hangin sa pamamagitan ng mga sanga, ang maselang mga landas na patungo sa kristal na mga ilog at ang ang marangal na kapayapaan ng tahimik na mga panalangin sa mga diyos at espiritu.”

Nabalot ng katahimikan ang hukbo ng mga espiritu habang nag-iisip sila sa mga salita ng kanilang kapwa.

Ngunit may isang espiritung hindi kumbinsido.

“Kami ang mga tanod ng pangangaso! Sa pamamagitan lamang ng lakas makikita nila ang ating kapangyarihan! Tayong mga malalakas ay dapat magbahagi ng ating kapangyarihan sa mga malalakas pagkatapos ay matututunan ng mga tao na bumangon! Hayaang bumagsak ang mahihina at ang kanilang dugo ay magdidilig sa ating mga puno.”

“Ang isang puno na dinidilig ng dugo ay hindi mamumulaklak bilang isang punong inaalagaan. Ang mga taong higit na nangangailangan ng ating tulong ay makikita ang ating mga pagpapala bilang patunay na tayo ay namumuhay bilang isa.”

Umiling ang nagdududa na espiritu. “Gawin mo ang dapat mong gawin at makikita natin kung ano ang mangyayari.” Pagkatapos ay lumutang itong paalis.

Isa-isang lumutang ang mga espiritu upang magbigay ng mga pagpapala sa mga mangangaso sa kanilang sariling mga nasasakupan.

At umalingawngaw ang mga salita ng espiritu.

“Ang lupain ay hindi sa kanya lamang, ito ay atin upang ibahagi.”

=———————————————————–=

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.”

=————————————————————=

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.

The post Bakayauwan – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

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.

The post Bakayauwan appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

The Price of the Hunt Part 2

Chinhok couldn’t wait anymore. Today would be the day. He spotted a larger than usual deer and he couldn’t miss this chance. No more taunts, no more insults. He would prove to everyone, especially his uncle that he was a real hunter. The spirits be damned.

He took aim at the deer. After 2 hours of tracking it, he finally got a clear shot. Months of anticipation boiled down to this moment and his future as a hunter was laid out in front of him. There was no way he could miss this, but his arrow had a different idea. The moment he let loose his arrow, everything stopped. The leaves stood frozen falling from their branches, the deer was silent as it stared at the arrow that didn’t move.

“It isn’t polite to take things that aren’t yours.” Chinhok turned behind him and he was faced with stories from the fireside: A red-skinned woman and a white skinned man. He knew who—or what they were. The Tahamaling and the Mahomanay, guardians of the beasts in the forest, and as of now, his worst nightmares come to life.

“What should we do with this one?” said the Tahamaling, her voice lustrous and soothing. “We must do as we must. He has taken without giving.” The Mahomanay was stoic, almost emotionless as he spoke. Chinhok would hear stories of the spirits being happy and helpful to humans, and then he remembered that was only after the offerings were given.

“—-“ Chinhok’s voice stopped at his throat. He knew what he had done. He also knew there was no way to ask forgiveness from the spirits. Chinhok prayed to Pamulak Manobo that his death would be quick.

The spirits may have listened to that small mercy.

Bitil found his nephew’s body after 3 days of searching. The boy was killed with his own arrow, a sad fate for any hunter. Bitil knew that it was impossible for Chinhok to shoot himself, and he sensed that the spirits were angered at the youth’s indiscretion.

Bitil offered the betel nut that he kept with him to the spirits as a small token of remorse. Chinhok had brothers and Bitil only hoped that they would learn from his failure to listen to the spirits. The mountain and the forest will never belong to people, that much he knew.

He took Chinhok’s body and began the long walk back to the village.

————————–————————–————————

Continued from the Tahamaling’s tale

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Story inspired by Mahomanay description in The Maiden of the Buhog Sky. Manuel (1958) in Philippine Folk Literature:The Epics. Eugenio. 2001. And Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Tahamaling Illustration by Laura Katigbak
FB: Rabbit Heart
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rabbitheartart/

The post Mahomanay appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

Part 1 of Spirits of the Hunt

“This is the perfect shot.” Chinhok readied his bow and took aim at the deer. He knew that if he wounded one of its legs he would be able to get another shot. His heart was racing, this was his first hunt, if he brought back the deer to the village, everyone would be so impressed and he would finally be invited to join the hunting parties. This was his chance.

Just before he could let the arrow fly he heard a loud shout and to his misfortune, so did the deer. It ran away into the forest, without so much as a scratch. “Chinhok!” whoever ruined his chance was shouting his name and Chinhok was furious, who would do this to him?

Bitil, the greatest hunter in the mountains, and also Chinhok’s uncle stood behind him and shouted out his name again “Chinhok!”

“Uncle, why did you do that? I was about to get my first deer!” Chinhok looked exasperated and pleading for an explanation.
“Did you give the offerings at the Banayakaw tree?” Bitil asked, apparently ignoring the boy’s protest.

“Uncle, I had no time! I was about to and I saw the deer and I was going to miss my chance!” Chinhok tried to make his uncle understand him, surely as a hunter he would know that one shouldn’t waste time.

“Chinhok, do you know that it is almost impossible to kill a deer with one arrow?” Bitil again replied with a question.

“Yes uncle I know, that is why we need to wound it first so that it cannot escape and we can land the final blow.” Chinhok, did not understand where this conversation was headed.

“A deer, like all of us is a part of the land, but this mountain has its own guardians. We give the offerings in front of the Banayakaw tree to make sure that those spirits are appeased.” Bitil said, looking directly into the eyes of his nephew.

“But uncle, surely the spirits will understand if we give the offerings after.” Chinhok was stubborn and he never liked losing an argument, especially to his family.

“When a deer is hit with an arrow, it needs to be shot many more times before it can die. For every deer we manage to kill there are many more that die in the forests with an arrow in their bodies. They die days or even weeks later, all the while under constant pain, defenseless against their natural predators.” Bitil started a lecture.

“Uncle I know but what—-“ Chinhok tried to interrupt but his uncle continued.

“Now imagine what the spirits would feel if there was no compensation for all that suffering. That the creatures they protect would just die in the forest without the rituals of appeasement. How do you think they would feel?” Bitil was looking right at Chinhok now, his gaze steady.

“But uncle—-“ Chinhok was nothing if not persistent.

“Enough! Be careful nephew, the deer aren’t the only prey in these mountains.” Bitil ended with a heavy tone, one that Chinhok knew he could not say anything to.

“Yes, uncle.” Chinhok took his bow and headed back towards his home. One day he would make them understand that he was a great hunter. One day.

————————–————————–——————–

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Story inspired by Tahamaling description in The Maiden of the Buhog Sky. Manuel (1958) in Philippine Folk Literature:The Epics. Eugenio. 2001.

Tahamaling Illustration by Laura Katigbak
FB: Rabbit Heart
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rabbitheartart/

The post Tahamaling appeared first on Philippine Spirits.