*Note  this story is in Tagalog

Sa mga abo ng Bundok Bita, nakatayo si Sulayman, buo ang loob. Dinaanan niya ang mga bahay na walang laman at napuno ng lungkot ang kanyang puso. Mayroong mga laruan ngunit walang mga bata, mayroong mga sakahan, ngunit walang nag-aalaga, mayroong mga pamilya rito minsan.

Subalit wala na.

Sinumpa ni Sulayman ang langit. Magbabayad ang hayop na may gawa nito. Dumilim ang langit at tila tutuparin ang kanyang hiling.

Si Pah ang ikatlo.

Natakpan ang langit ng dambuhalang hugis ng isang malaking ibon, hindi tulad ng kahit anong nakita na. Mabilis si Sulayman, binunot ang espada at nagawang matamaan ang pakpak nito. Bumagsak ang malaking ibon patungo kay Sulayman, at naiwasan niya ang dambuhalang katawan nito, subalit nakalimutan niya ang pakpak na kanyang pinutol. Pinisa ng bahaging iyon ng hayop si Sulayman at tatapusin na sana ang kanyang paglalakbay.

Subalit may kasunod pa.

Nagdurusang pinanood ni Haring Indarapatra ang maliit na puno sa kanyang bintana nalanta at namatay. Naaalala niya ang araw na ang kanyang kapatid, si Sulayman, ay naglayag patungo sa Mindanao. Inulit niya ang mga salitang binigkas nang umalis si Sulayman: “Sa pamamagitan ng punong ito malalaman ko ang iyong kapalaran. Kung mabubuhay ka, mabubuhay ito, kung mamamatay ka, mamamatay rin ito.”

Napuno ng paghihiganti ang puso ni Haring Indarapatra. Tinipon niya ang kanyang ari-arian, kasama na ang kanyang pinakapinagkakatiwalaang espada at naglayag upang hanapin ang kanyang kapatid.

Gaya ni Sulayman, naglakbay siya sa himpapawid at natagpuan ang sarili sa bundok na tinutubuan ng ratan. Nakita niya ang bakas ng pagwagi ng kanyang kapatid laban sa Kurita. Nagkalat ang mga buto ng halimaw sa paligid at napuno siya ng pagmamalaki.

Sunod ang Bundok Matutun. Nakita niya lahat ng kailangan niyang malaman sa nabubulok na bangkay ng Tarabusaw. Tigang pa rin ang kapaligiran, ngunit hindi na muling makakapanakit ng kahit sino ang halimaw. Nagpatuloy sa paglalakbay si Haring Indarapatra at ginambala ang kanyang isip ng imahen ng mga halimaw.

Ang napakaraming pagkamatay dulot ng mga nilalang na ito ay nababanggit sa mga malayong lupalop, inaabot kahit ang kanyang korte sa lupa ng gintong dapithapon. Si Haring Indarapatra ang nagmakaawa kay Sulayman na tawirin ang dagat at linisin ang lupa ng Mindanao sa mga hayop na ito.

Pinili ni Sulayman na pumunta sa malayong lupa at ipaghiganti ang kaniyang mga tao, totoo iyon. Subalit nakaramdam si Haring Indarapatra ng pagsisisi na dinala niya ang kanyang kapatid sa tiyak na kamatayan.

Pinalayas niya ang mga kaisipang ito nang papalapit na siya sa Bundok Bita.

Nakahandusay sa lupa ang katawan ng malaking ibon na si Pah. Napansin niya ang putol na pakpak ng ibon at iniangat ito, at natagpuan ang mga buto ng kanyang kapatid. Nagluksa si Haring Indarapatra para sa dugo ng kanyang kadugo, at nilamon siya ng dalamhati.

Sinagot ng langit ang tahimik niyang dasal. Pagtingala niya, nakakita siya ng maliit na garapong puno ng tubig. Alam na kung anong dapat niyang gawin, ibinuhos niya ang tubig sa mga buto ni Sulayman at muling nabuhay ang kanyang kapatid.

Napuno ng saya ang bundok nang magkasama muli ang magkapatid. Ipinaliwanag ni Sulayman na hindi siya tuluyang namatay, subalit natutulog lamang. Walang pakialam si Haring Indarapatra, napuno ang kanyang puso ng galak na buhay at nasa mabuting kalagayan ang kanyang kapatid.

Umuwi si Sulayman sa kanilang tahanan sa lupa ng gintong dapithapon, ngunit nanatili si Haring Indarapatra. Nais niyang tapusin ang sinimulan ng kanyang kapatid. Mayroon pa rin ang suliranin ng ikaapat na halimaw sa Bundok Gurayn.

Nagpaalam si Haring Indarapatra sa kanyang kapatid at hinasa ang espada. Sinumpa niya ang sinumpa rin ni Sulayman sa kanyang kaharian, at titiyakin niyang matutupad ito.

=————————-=

English Version

Among the ashes of Mount Bita, Sulayman stood resolute. He passed the empty homes and his heart was filled with sadness. There were toys but no children, there were farms, but no one to tend them, there were families here once.

But no more.

Sulayman cursed at the sky. Whatever beast did this would pay. The sky darkened and seemed to grant his wish.

The third was Pah.

The sky was blotted out by the enormous frame of a great bird, like nothing that was ever seen before. Sulayman was quick, he drew his sword and managed to hit its wing. The great bird spiraled towards Sulayman, and he was able to dodge its massive body, but forgot about the wing he had cut off. That part of the beast crushed Sulayman and would have ended his journey.

But there was another.

King Indarapatra watched in agony as the sapling by his window withered and died. He recalled the day his brother, Sulayman, set forth on his journey to Mindanao. He mouthed the words that he said when Sulayman left: “By this tree I will know of your fate. If you will live, it will live, and if you die, it will die also.”

King Indarapatra’s heart was filled with revenge. He gathered his belongings, including his most trusted sword and went on a quest to find his brother.

Like Sulayman, he traveled through the air and found himself on the mountain where the rattan grew. He saw evidence of his brother’s victory against the Kurita. The bones of the monster littered the area and he was filled with pride.

Next was Mount Matutun. The rotting corpse of the Tarabusaw told him all he needed to know. The surrounding areas were still barren of life, but the monster would never be able to hurt anyone again. King Indarapatra continued on his journey and thoughts of the monsters plagued his mind.

The great deaths caused by these creatures were told of in faraway lands, even reaching his court in the land of the golden sunset. It was King Indarapatra that pleaded with Sulayman to cross the seas and rid the land of Mindanao of these great beasts.

It was Sulayman’s choice to go to the distant land and avenge her people, that much was true. But King Indarapatra felt a pang of guilt that he had lead his brother to certain death.

He shook those thoughts away as he approached mount Bita.

The body of the great bird Pah lay on the ground. He noticed the severed wing of the bird and lifted it up, revealing the bones of his brother. King Indarapatra wept for the blood of his blood, so consumed with grief was he.

The heavens replied with an answer to his silent prayer. As he looked up, he saw a small jar filled with water. Knowing what he must do, he poured the water over Sulayman’s bones and his brother lived again.

Joy filled the mountain as the brothers reunited. Sulayman explained that he was not completely dead, but sleeping. King Indarapatra didn’t care, he heart was filled with great happiness that his brother was alive and well.

Sulayman returned to their home in the land of the golden sunset, but King Indarapatra stayed. He wanted to finish what his brother started. There was still the matter of the fourth great beast on Mount Gurayn.

King Indarapatra bade his brother farewell and sharpened his sword. He swore the same oath that Sulayman did and upon his kingdom, he would see it fulfilled.

=————————=

Continued from the Tarabusaw’s tale

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Adapted from “Mythology of Mindanao” in Philippine Folklore Stories. Cole. 1916. (Full text can be accessed at http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/pft/index.htm

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Giila siya sa pangalang Sulayman, gikan sa layong babayon sa yuta sa bulawanong pagsalop sa adlaw para iluwas ang yuta sa Mindanao gikan sa kapungot sa upat ka makalisang nga mga binuhatan.

Una mao si Kurita, usa ka binuhatan gikan sa yuta ug dagat, nga maong hinungdan sa kalaglagan sa bukid asa mitubo ang mga rattan.

Nilupad si Sulayman babaw sa bukid apan wala makakita ug bisan usa nga buhi. Ang mga balangay ug mga kalasangan nahilum.

Sa dihang gahilak siya sa kasubo sa gun-ob nga iyang nakita, nagpakita si Kurita gikan sa yuta ug giabot si Sulayman.

Sa pagkahibalo nga kini mao ang binuhatan nga nanghasi sa mga balangay, wala nagduha-duha si Sulayman nga makigsangka. Iyang gihulbot iyang espada.

Ang bukid dili hilum atong adlawa. Ang katapusang bagudlos ni Kurita madungog sa mga kalasangan.

Gihipos ni Sulayman iyang espada sa bayna ug milugsong sa sunod nga bukid.

=—————-=

English Version

His name was Sulayman, called from far across the sea in the land of the golden sunset to save the land of Mindanao from the wrath of four terrible creatures.

The first was Kurita, a creature of both land and sea, it chose to cause destruction on the mountain where the rattan grew.

Sulayman traveled through the air to the mountain and saw nothing alive. The villages and forests were silent.

As he cried out in sorrow at the devastation, Kurita rose from the ground and clawed at Sulayman.

Knowing that this was the creature that massacred the villages, Sulayman wasted no time in doing battle. He drew his sword.

The mountain was not silent that day. The Kurita’s final roar echoed through the empty forests.

Sulayman sheathed his sword and continued on to the next mountain.

=——————–=

*The Cebuano language, alternatively called Cebuan and also often colloquially albeit informally referred to by most of its speakers simply as Bisaya (“Visayan”, not to be confused with other Visayan languages nor Brunei Bisaya language), is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 21 million people, mostly in Central Visayas, western parts of Eastern Visayas and most parts of Mindanao, most of whom belong to various Visayan ethnolingusitic groups, mainly the Cebuanos. It is the by far the most widely spoken of the Visayan languages, which are in turn part of wider the Philippine languages. The reference to the language as Bisaya is not encouraged anymore by linguists due to the many languages within the Visayan language group that may be confused with the term.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Jane Danielle Fabula
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jane Danielle Fabula

Story adapted from:
‘Mythology of Mindanao’ in
Philippine Folklore Stories by Mabel Cook Cole. 1916.

Kurita Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
FB: That Guy With A Pen

*Note this story is in Chabacano / Chavacano Caviteño

Entre na mana cenizas del monte Bita, Sulayman tá de pie firmament, ele ya pasa todo de mana casas vacíos na su camino y su corazón ya queda lleno con tristeza. Había mana juguetes pero no mana criaturas. Había mana campos pero nadie para man hace caso, había mana familias allá guna vez , pero no agora.

Sulayman ya maldecí na cielo, “ Di pagá cosa man bestea que ya hacé esto ! ” ya quedá oscuro el cielo , y ya parecí concedido su deseo.

Y el pájaro ya queda llamao Pah. Por casa na enorme figura del gran pájaro ya queda oscuro el cielo, no ansina que ya vé de nadie antes. Con rapidez ya sacá Sulayman su espada y  ya lográ corta ele uno de mana alas del bestea. El gran pájaro ya girá hacia Sulayman, y ele ya esquivá el enorme cuerpo del bestia pero ya olvida ele, el ala que ya cortá ele, aquel parte del bestia ya plastá Sulayman, este ya sana el que ta cabá su aventura, pero hay un otro.

Datu Indarapatra ya mira con agonia , cuando un pimpollo na lado de su ventana ya secá y morir, ya reculdá ele cuando su hermano Sulayman ya embarcá na su adventura na Mindanao. Ele ya articulá el mana palabras que ele ya bisa cuando ya salí Sulayman. “ Na este ponu ta sabe yo vos destino, si vos viví , si vos morí. Si vos di viví, el ponu tambien di viví, si vos di morí di morí tambien ese.

El corazón de Datu Indarapatra ya queda llenung llenu de venganza, y ele ya recogí todo de sus mana pertenencias , incluido su espada más confiable, y ele ya embarcá na un búsqueda para di buscá su hermano.

Como su hermano Sulayman , Datu Indarapatra ya viajá a través del aire , y ya buscá su mismo na montaña si onde ta crecí el mana rattán.ya vé ele el evidencia del victoria de su hermano na batalla contra na mana Kurita. El mana huesos de maná monstruo  tá llenao el suelo, y ele ya queda llenung llenu de orgullo

El seguida queda monte Matutana, el mana cadavers de mana Tarabusao podrido na suelo ta bisá con ele cosa ele nescesita di sabí. El maná lado lado , tá desprovisto pa del vida , pero el maná monstruos no ya podí man lastimar con alguien otra vez. Datu Indarapatra ya continuá na su búsqueda con maná pensamientos de maná monstruos, ta plagando su mente.

El grand muerte que ya causá de este mana criaturas queda sabido na mana tierras lejanos, incluso na su corte na tierra de puesta del sol dorada. Datu Indarapata es el que ya pedí con su hermano Sulayman para di cruzá el mar pa anda na tierra de Mindanao y hace vencé este mana gran bestias. Raja Sulayman ya andá na mindanao con su propio voluntad, para di vengá sus habitantes, si este es verdad, pero Datu Indarapatra ta sentí un punzada de la culpa, na hecho que ele es responsable na pag morí de su hermano. Ya sacudí ele esos mana pensamientos de su mente, a medida ele ta cercá na monte Bita.

El cuerpo del gran pájaro Pah ta acostá na suelo, ele ya fijá el grande ala cortada del pájaro, y ele ya alzá la,  y tallá ele ya buscá el mana huesos de su hermano. Datu Indarapatra ya llora por el sangre de su sangre, y ya queda ele consumido por el dolor.

El Cielo ya dale respuesta na su oración silenciosa. Mientras ele ya mira hacia arriba ele ya ví un bote chiquiting lleno de agua. Sabiendo cosa ele debe di hacé, ya verté ele el agua sobre na mana huesos de Sulayman, y su hermano ya queda vivo otra vez.

El monte ya queda lleno de alegria, cuando se reuní el man hermanos. Sulayman ya explicá, no ele ya murí completamente, sino durmiendo nomas. Datu indarapatra no le importaba, su corazón ya queda llenung llenu de feliz, por casa su hermano ya queda vivo y bien.

Sulayman ya volví na tierra del puesta del sol dorada, pero Datu Indarapatra ya queda. Quiere ele di cabá el que ya empezá su hermano. Tiene pa el cuarta gran bestia na monte Guryan. Datu Indarapatra ya saludá su hermano adios y ya afilá su espada. Indarapatra ya jurá ele el mismo juramento que ya hace Sulayman na su Reino. Y di ví ele ese cumplido.

=——————=

English Version

Among the ashes of Mount Bita, Sulayman stood resolute. He passed the empty homes and his heart was filled with sadness. There were toys but no children, there were farms, but no one to tend them, there were families here once.

But no more.

Sulayman cursed at the sky. Whatever beast did this would pay. The sky darkened and seemed to grant his wish.

The third was Pah.

The sky was blotted out by the enormous frame of a great bird, like nothing that was ever seen before. Sulayman was quick, he drew his sword and managed to hit its wing. The great bird spiraled towards Sulayman, and he was able to dodge its massive body, but forgot about the wing he had cut off. That part of the beast crushed Sulayman and would have ended his journey.

But there was another.

King Indarapatra watched in agony as the sapling by his window withered and died. He recalled the day his brother, Sulayman, set forth on his journey to Mindanao. He mouthed the words that he said when Sulayman left: “By this tree I will know of your fate. If you will live, it will live, and if you die, it will die also.”

King Indarapatra’s heart was filled with revenge. He gathered his belongings, including his most trusted sword and went on a quest to find his brother.

Like Sulayman, he traveled through the air and found himself on the mountain where the rattan grew. He saw evidence of his brother’s victory against the Kurita. The bones of the monster littered the area and he was filled with pride.

Next was Mount Matutun. The rotting corpse of the Tarabusaw told him all he needed to know. The surrounding areas were still barren of life, but the monster would never be able to hurt anyone again. King Indarapatra continued on his journey and thoughts of the monsters plagued his mind.

The great deaths caused by these creatures were told of in faraway lands, even reaching his court in the land of the golden sunset. It was King Indarapatra that pleaded with Sulayman to cross the seas and rid the land of Mindanao of these great beasts.

It was Sulayman’s choice to go to the distant land and avenge her people, that much was true. But King Indarapatra felt a pang of guilt that he had lead his brother to certain death.

He shook those thoughts away as he approached mount Bita.
The body of the great bird Pah lay on the ground. He noticed the severed wing of the bird and lifted it up, revealing the bones of his brother. King Indarapatra wept for the blood of his blood, so consumed with grief was he.

The heavens replied with an answer to his silent prayer. As he looked up, he saw a small jar filled with water. Knowing what he must do, he poured the water over Sulayman’s bones and his brother lived again.

Joy filled the mountain as the brothers reunited. Sulayman explained that he was not completely dead, but sleeping. King Indarapatra didn’t care, he heart was filled with great happiness that his brother was alive and well.

Sulayman returned to their home in the land of the golden sunset, but King Indarapatra stayed. He wanted to finish what his brother started. There was still the matter of the fourth great beast on Mount Gurayn.

King Indarapatra bade his brother farewell and sharpened his sword. He swore the same oath that Sulayman did and upon his kingdom, he would see it fulfilled.

————————–————————–————————-

*Chavacano or Chabacano is a group of Spanish-based creole language varieties spoken in the Philippines. The variety spoken in Zamboanga City, located in the southern Philippine island group of Mindanao, has the highest concentration of speakers.  Currently existing varieties are found in Cavite City and Ternate, located in the Cavite province on the island of Luzon. Chavacano is the only Spanish-based creole in Asia.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Translation by Stacy Paredes Foote
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Stacy Paredes Foote

Continued from the Tarabusaw’s tale

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Adapted from “Mythology of Mindanao” in Philippine Folklore Stories. Cole. 1916. (Full text can be accessed at http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/pft/index.htm

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Giandam ni Haring Indarapatra ang iyahang kaugalingon. Ang adlaw nagbanaag sa hinagiban nga anaa sa iyang mga kamot ug niginhawa siya ug lalom. Ang iyang huna-huna napuno sa mga sugilanon mahitungod sa mga maalamon nga mga binuhat, apan iyahang atubangon ang maong mananap bisan unsa pa kini kamakalilisang.

Ang ikaupat niini mao ang makahahadlok nga langgam sa bukid sa Gurayn.

Maabtik nga nilikay si Haring Indarapatra sa ulo nga padulungay niya, gamay na lamang ug maigo na siya sa mahait niini nga tuhik. Niligid siya sa yuta aron malikayan niya sa makausa ang duha pa niini ka mga ulo, ug gisulayanan niya pag-igo ang ikatulo, apan ang taguanan sa maong mananap kay mas labing lig-on pa diay kaysa sa iyahang pagtuo.

Wala magdahum si Haring Indarapatra sa mga panghitabo. Bisan asa man padulong, usa sa pito ka mga ulo ang gabantay niya. Tungod niini, gigamit na lamang sa hari ang iyang kusog sa maong suliran. Ug sa dihang ang usa na pud ka ulo ang padulungay ngadto kaniya, gikuptan ni Haring Indarapatra ang iyahang hinagiban sa iyang duha ka kamot gamit ang tanan niyang kusog aron tungaon ang ulo sa mananap.

Nilanog sa tibuok kabukiran ang pagsiyaok sa unom pa nga mga ulo, diin nagsagol ang kasakit ug kapungot. Gibati nag kahago si Haring Indarapatra sa tanan niyang pagpakigbisog. Ang matag kaunuran niya nagbati ug kasakit, apan wala na siyay panahon para magpahulay. Ang mananap, aduna pay unom ka laing ulo, diin nagaandam aron sa usa ka mapintas nga pag-igo.

Nilabay na ang mga gabii ug adlaw, nagbanaw ang dugo gikan sa matagpikas ngadto sa mga bato sa kaawaawan sa kabukiran. Hapit na mahabol ang hinagiban ni Haring Indarapatra gumikan sa pagtigbas niini sa taguanan sa langgam, apan sa makanunayon niya nga paghampak, ang maong mananap napukan ra gayud.

Gilantaw niya ang lawas sa mananap ug gipiyong ang iyang mga mata, natagbaw na siya sa iyahang nahimo.

Sa pagmata ni Haring Indarapatra, nakahunahuna siya kung unsa kaha kung dili pa patay ang tanang tawo dinhing nga dapit? Nagtoo siya nga aduna pa gayud pipila nga mga nakaluwas ngadto sa mga buntod ug kalasangan. Maong gisakob sa hari ang iyang hinagiban ug nipanaw na pud siya pag-usab.

Usa ka adlaw, iyang nakita sa layong dapit ang usa ka maanyag nga babaye. Wala kabalo si Rajah Indarapatra kung ugaling gimatamata lang siya, apan nalipay siya nga makakita ug laing tawo. Ang babaye kalit lamang nahanaw sa wala pa man nakaduol ang hari, maong nilingkod na lang siya sa duol nga bato, gikapoy ug gigutom.

Nag-ampo siya ug tabang, ug sa pagsuhid niya sa palibot, nakakita siya ug usa ka kulon nga anaay bugas ug usa ka dakong kalayo sa atubangan niini. Samtang iyahang giluto ang bugas, nakadungog siya ug kusog nga katawa. Nibati ug kasadya ang iyang kasing-kasing! Usa ka tigulang nga babae ang naglantaw kaniya. Nagpatimbaya siya niini ug naghisgutanay sila samtang gakaon si haring Indarapatra sa iyahang kan-on.

“Aduna pay uban nga nabuhi”, ingon ang babaye nga tigulang sa hari, apan pipila lang. Iyahang gihulagway ang usa ka langob kung asa nagtago ang mga tawo, layo sa makalilisang nga gahum sa upat ka mananap. Ang tigulang nga babaye ug ang iyang bana nagtago sa bangag sa kahoy ug ayha ra sila nanimpalad pagawas sa dihang napatay na ni Sulayman ang langgam nga si Pah.

Gitultolan sa tigulang nga babaye si Haring Indarpatra sa langob ug nagtipok ang mga tawo aron maminaw sa sugilanon sa maong langyaw. Iyahang gisaysay ang mahitungod sa iyahang igsoon nga si Sulayman, ug giunsa niya pagpatay sa mga mananap nga sila Kurita, Tarabusaw, ug Pah. Kung giunsa ang iyahang igsoon pagdat-ug sa ilalom sa pako sa dakong langgam. Ug kung giunsa niya pagpatay sa langgam nga may pito ka ulo didto sa bukid sa Gurayn.

Nag pasalamat ang mga tawo sa maong langyaw nga nagpahawa sa mga mananap sa ilang yutang ginsakpan. Gihatag sa nagapangulo sa maong katawhan ang iyahang anak aron ipaminyo sa hari, ug nahibulong si Haring Indarapatra sa pagkakita niya nga mao kini ang maanyag nga babaye nga iyahang nakita kaniadto.

Sa makadugay, hinay-hinay na nga nanggawas ang mga tawo sa ilahang taguanan ug namalik na sila sa ilahang mga panimalay, ug nanginabuhi sila nga malinawon ug malipayon hangtod sa hangtod.

=—————————=

English Version

King Indarapatra readied himself. The sun reflected against the blade in his hands and he breathed in deep. His mind was filled with tales of the creature being all-seeing, but he would face the beast no matter how fearsome it was.

The fourth was the dreadful bird of Mount Gurayn.
King Indarapatra deftly dodged the head coming towards him, the sharp beak missing its mark by only a few inches. He rolled on the ground avoiding another two heads and tried to strike at a third, but the beast’s hide was tougher than King Indarapatra thought.

Surprise was the one thing King Indarapatra could not count on. In each direction, one of the seven heads would be watching. So the king resorted to applying his strength to the problem. As another head bared down upon him, King Indarapatra held his sword with two hands and used all his strength to cut the monster’s head in half.

The screams of the other six heads echoed through the mountain range, a combination of pain and anger. King Indarapatra was exhausted from the effort, his every muscle screamed in agony, but there was no time to rest. The monster still had six other heads, all preparing to take a vengeful strike at him.

The nights blended with the days, blood from both sides was spilt on the barren rocks of the mountains. King Indarapatra’s blade was almost blunt from hacking away at the bird’s hide, but his strikes were true and the monster did fall.

He stared at the body of the beast and closed his eyes, content with what he had done.

King Indarapatra awoke with a thought. What if not all were slain in these lands? Surely there must be some survivors among the hills and forests. Thus, the king sheathed his sword and went on another journey.

One day he saw, in the distance, a beautiful woman. King Indarapatra did not know if it was an illusion, but he was delighted to see the sight of another human being. The woman disappeared before the king could get near and he sat on a nearby rock, tired and hungry.

He prayed for relief and, surveying the area, he saw a pot of uncooked rice and a large fire on the ground in front of it. As he cooked the rice, he heard loud laughter. His heart rejoiced! An old woman was watching him. He greeted her and they talked as King Indarapatra ate his rice.

“There are other survivors,” the old woman told the king, but very few. She described a cave in which the people were sheltered, far from the fearsome might of the four beasts. The old woman and her husband hid in a hollow tree and were only able to venture outward when Sulayman killed the bird, Pah.

The old woman led King Indarapatra to the cave and the people gathered around the stranger and listened to his tale. He told of his brother, Sulayman and how he slew the beasts Kurita, Tarabusaw and Pah. He told of how his brother was crushed under the wing of the great bird and how he journeyed from his lands to avenge his brother. He told of how he slew the seven headed bird of Mount Gurayn.

The people gave thanks to the strangers that rid their land of the monsters. The headman of the people gave his daughter’s hand in marriage to the king, and King Indarapatra was surprised to find that it was the beautiful woman that he had seen before.

Others eventually came out of their hiding places and returned to their homes, living in peace and happiness for the rest of their days.

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Continued from Pah’s Tale

*The Cebuano language, alternatively called Cebuan and also often colloquially albeit informally referred to by most of its speakers simply as Bisaya (“Visayan”, not to be confused with other Visayan languages nor Brunei Bisaya language), is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 21 million people, mostly in Central Visayas, western parts of Eastern Visayas and most parts of Mindanao, most of whom belong to various Visayan ethnolingusitic groups, mainly the Cebuanos. It is the by far the most widely spoken of the Visayan languages, which are in turn part of wider the Philippine languages. The reference to the language as Bisaya is not encouraged anymore by linguists due to the many languages within the Visayan language group that may be confused with the term.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Rica Quennie Lloren
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Rica Quennie Lloren

Adapted from “Mythology of Mindanao” in Philippine Folklore Stories. Cole. 1916. (Full text can be accessed at http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/pft/index.htm)

The Bird of Mount Gurayn Illustration by Julius Arboleda

Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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IG: https://www.instagram.com/wildlingchild/

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His name was Sulayman, called from far across the sea in the land of the golden sunset to save the land of Mindanao from the wrath of four terrible creatures.

The first was Kurita, a creature of both land and sea, it chose to cause destruction on the mountain where the rattan grew.

Sulayman traveled through the air to the mountain and saw nothing alive. The villages and forests were silent.

As he cried out in sorrow at the devastation, Kurita rose from the ground and clawed at Sulayman.

Knowing that this was the creature that massacred the villages, Sulayman wasted no time in doing battle. He drew his sword.

The mountain was not silent that day. The Kurita’s final roar echoed through the empty forests.

Sulayman sheathed his sword and continued on to the next mountain.

Among the ashes of Mount Bita, Sulayman stood resolute. He passed the empty homes and his heart was filled with sadness. There were toys but no children, there were farms, but no one to tend them, there were families here once.

But no more.

Sulayman cursed at the sky. Whatever beast did this would pay. The sky darkened and seemed to grant his wish.

The third was Pah.

The sky was blotted out by the enormous frame of a great bird, like nothing that was ever seen before. Sulayman was quick, he drew his sword and managed to hit its wing. The great bird spiraled towards Sulayman, and he was able to dodge its massive body, but forgot about the wing he had cut off. That part of the beast crushed Sulayman and would have ended his journey.

But there was another.

King Indarapatra watched in agony as the sapling by his window withered and died. He recalled the day his brother, Sulayman, set forth on his journey to Mindanao. He mouthed the words that he said when Sulayman left: “By this tree I will know of your fate. If you will live, it will live, and if you die, it will die also.”

King Indarapatra’s heart was filled with revenge. He gathered his belongings, including his most trusted sword and went on a quest to find his brother.

Like Sulayman, he traveled through the air and found himself on the mountain where the rattan grew. He saw evidence of his brother’s victory against the Kurita. The bones of the monster littered the area and he was filled with pride.

Next was Mount Matutun. The rotting corpse of the Tarabusaw told him all he needed to know. The surrounding areas were still barren of life, but the monster would never be able to hurt anyone again. King Indarapatra continued on his journey and thoughts of the monsters plagued his mind.

The great deaths caused by these creatures were told of in faraway lands, even reaching his court in the land of the golden sunset. It was King Indarapatra that pleaded with Sulayman to cross the seas and rid the land of Mindanao of these great beasts.

It was Sulayman’s choice to go to the distant land and avenge her people, that much was true. But King Indarapatra felt a pang of guilt that he had lead his brother to certain death.
He shook those thoughts away as he approached mount Bita.
The body of the great bird Pah lay on the ground. He noticed the severed wing of the bird and lifted it up, revealing the bones of his brother. King Indarapatra wept for the blood of his blood, so consumed with grief was he.

The heavens replied with an answer to his silent prayer. As he looked up, he saw a small jar filled with water. Knowing what he must do, he poured the water over Sulayman’s bones and his brother lived again.

Joy filled the mountain as the brothers reunited. Sulayman explained that he was not completely dead, but sleeping. King Indarapatra didn’t care, he heart was filled with great happiness that his brother was alive and well.

Sulayman returned to their home in the land of the golden sunset, but King Indarapatra stayed. He wanted to finish what his brother started. There was still the matter of the fourth great beast on Mount Gurayn.

King Indarapatra bade his brother farewell and sharpened his sword. He swore the same oath that Sulayman did and upon his kingdom, he would see it fulfilled.

King Indarapatra readied himself. The sun reflected against the blade in his hands and he breathed in deep. His mind was filled with tales of the creature being all-seeing, but he would face the beast no matter how fearsome it was.The fourth was the dreadful bird of Mount Gurayn.King Indarapatra deftly dodged the head coming towards him, the sharp beak missing its mark by only a few inches. He rolled on the ground avoiding another two heads and tried to strike at a third, but the beast’s hide was tougher than King Indarapatra thought.Surprise was the one thing King Indarapatra could not count on. In each direction, one of the seven heads would be watching. So the king resorted to applying his strength to the problem. As another head bared down upon him, King Indarapatra held his sword with two hands and used all his strength to cut the monster’s head in half.The screams of the other six heads echoed through the mountain range, a combination of pain and anger. King Indarapatra was exhausted from the effort, his every muscle screamed in agony, but there was no time to rest. The monster still had six other heads, all preparing to take a vengeful strike at him.

The nights blended with the days, blood from both sides was spilt on the barren rocks of the mountains. King Indarapatra’s blade was almost blunt from hacking away at the bird’s hide, but his strikes were true and the monster did fall.

He stared at the body of the beast and closed his eyes, content with what he had done.

King Indarapatra awoke with a thought. What if not all were slain in these lands? Surely there must be some survivors among the hills and forests. Thus, the king sheathed his sword and went on another journey.

One day he saw, in the distance, a beautiful woman. King Indarapatra did not know if it was an illusion, but he was delighted to see the sight of another human being. The woman disappeared before the king could get near and he sat on a nearby rock, tired and hungry.

He prayed for relief and, surveying the area, he saw a pot of uncooked rice and a large fire on the ground in front of it. As he cooked the rice, he heard loud laughter. His heart rejoiced! An old woman was watching him. He greeted her and they talked as King Indarapatra ate his rice.
“There are other survivors,” the old woman told the king, but very few. She described a cave in which the people were sheltered, far from the fearsome might of the four beasts. The old woman and her husband hid in a hollow tree and were only able to venture outward when Sulayman killed the bird, Pah.

The old woman led King Indarapatra to the cave and the people gathered around the stranger and listened to his tale. He told of his brother, Sulayman and how he slew the beasts Kurita, Tarabusaw and Pah. He told of how his brother was crushed under the wing of the great bird and how he journeyed from his lands to avenge his brother. He told of how he slew the seven headed bird of Mount Gurayn.

The people gave thanks to the strangers that rid their land of the monsters. The headman of the people gave his daughter’s hand in marriage to the king, and King Indarapatra was surprised to find that it was the beautiful woman that he had seen before.

Others eventually came out of their hiding places and returned to their homes, living in peace and happiness for the rest of their days.

 

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The Saga of Sulayman and Indarapatra part 4

King Indarapatra readied himself. The sun reflected against the blade in his hands and he breathed in deep. His mind was filled with tales of the creature being all-seeing, but he would face the beast no matter how fearsome it was.

The fourth was the dreadful bird of Mount Gurayn.
King Indarapatra deftly dodged the head coming towards him, the sharp beak missing its mark by only a few inches. He rolled on the ground avoiding another two heads and tried to strike at a third, but the beast’s hide was tougher than King Indarapatra thought.

Surprise was the one thing King Indarapatra could not count on. In each direction, one of the seven heads would be watching. So the king resorted to applying his strength to the problem. As another head bared down upon him, King Indarapatra held his sword with two hands and used all his strength to cut the monster’s head in half.

The screams of the other six heads echoed through the mountain range, a combination of pain and anger. King Indarapatra was exhausted from the effort, his every muscle screamed in agony, but there was no time to rest. The monster still had six other heads, all preparing to take a vengeful strike at him.

The nights blended with the days, blood from both sides was spilt on the barren rocks of the mountains. King Indarapatra’s blade was almost blunt from hacking away at the bird’s hide, but his strikes were true and the monster did fall.

He stared at the body of the beast and closed his eyes, content with what he had done.

King Indarapatra awoke with a thought. What if not all were slain in these lands? Surely there must be some survivors among the hills and forests. Thus, the king sheathed his sword and went on another journey.

One day he saw, in the distance, a beautiful woman. King Indarapatra did not know if it was an illusion, but he was delighted to see the sight of another human being. The woman disappeared before the king could get near and he sat on a nearby rock, tired and hungry.

He prayed for relief and, surveying the area, he saw a pot of uncooked rice and a large fire on the ground in front of it. As he cooked the rice, he heard loud laughter. His heart rejoiced! An old woman was watching him. He greeted her and they talked as King Indarapatra ate his rice.

“There are other survivors,” the old woman told the king, but very few. She described a cave in which the people were sheltered, far from the fearsome might of the four beasts. The old woman and her husband hid in a hollow tree and were only able to venture outward when Sulayman killed the bird, Pah.

The old woman led King Indarapatra to the cave and the people gathered around the stranger and listened to his tale. He told of his brother, Sulayman and how he slew the beasts Kurita, Tarabusaw and Pah. He told of how his brother was crushed under the wing of the great bird and how he journeyed from his lands to avenge his brother. He told of how he slew the seven headed bird of Mount Gurayn.

The people gave thanks to the strangers that rid their land of the monsters. The headman of the people gave his daughter’s hand in marriage to the king, and King Indarapatra was surprised to find that it was the beautiful woman that he had seen before.

Others eventually came out of their hiding places and returned to their homes, living in peace and happiness for the rest of their days.

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Continued from Pah’s Tale

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Adapted from “Mythology of Mindanao” in Philippine Folklore Stories. Cole. 1916. (Full text can be accessed at http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/pft/index.htm)

The Bird of Mount Gurayn Illustration by Julius Arboleda

Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
FB: Wildling Child
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wildlingchild/