*Note this story is in Waray

An mga nangitab-anggit na mga suga an nagkaagi han langit na gab-i, waray aringasa na nagkikita-kita han nahinabo na nakakarab’ot ngan diri: an anak han bituon ngan an anak han tao magkaatubang na nalingkod. An mga kuryuso na alitaptap kay naglupad harani ha ira para madunggan an duha.

“Nakit-an kita kakulop”

“Diin?”

“Nag-sayaw ka han kasanag han bulan”

“Diri ak maaram nga may naglantaw”

“Halos ako makalimtan han imo kahusayan”

“Ayaw hiton”

“Naglalamrag ka ha butnga han sinag han bulan, nagious kaupod han iya laga. Nagusto ko mag-hello, pero nawara kana”

“Kinahanglan ko umuli”

“Amo an imo yakan haak ghap dati”

“Kay pareho la gihapon it kamatuoran, yana o dati. Sayop ini”

“Iyakan anay ini haak, kamahaladto ba?”

“Kamahaladto an?”

“Ikaw at ako?”

“….”

“Kitaa ako. Nangako kita ha usa’t-usa na magiging tuod kita”

“Naiha na adto”

“Pero nahanumdum ka pa”

“…”

“Pakisayud?”

“Oo, kamahaladto adto”

“Nagbubuwa ka. Di k aba nahanumdum kun ano kita dati? Kita la adto na duha—“

“Buta ka ba na diri mo nakikita it nahanabo? Waray paglaum nga pwede magpadayon an mga butang.”

“Pero naghihigugma kita.”

“Kamamatay ka na”

“…”

“Ayaw ak pagkita-a na sugad. Amo talaga it mga butang. Kun usa haam mahigugma haiyo–”

“Katapusan.”

“Matatapos pirmi.”

“Puydi ayaw anay paglakat, bisan la hin pipira ka adlaw?”

“Sige.”

An lamrag nagsarig ha direksyon han duha. Maaram an mga alitaptap na maaram an anak han bituon na nakidungog hira, pero diri nira ginkaariga. Naglupad hira ha langit ngan nag-sayaw han ira mga suga, ginkuwento an istorya han pagkawara ngan paghihigugma ha bisan hin-o nga maglaum paglantaw.

=——————–=

English Version

Wisps of light streaked through the night sky, standing silent witness to a sight both strange and not: a daughter of moonlight and a son of man sitting across from each other. Curiosity filled the fireflies and they flew closer to the pair to hear.

“I saw you yesterday.”

“Did you?”

“You were dancing in the moonlight.”

“I didn’t think anyone was watching.”

“I almost forgot how beautiful you were.”

“Don’t do this.”

“You were flickering between the moonbeams, moving through the light. I wanted to say hello, but in a moment, you were gone.”

“I needed to go back.”

“That’s what you told me before.”

“It was as true then as it is now. This was a mistake.”

“Just tell me one thing. Was it worth it?”

“Was it worth what?”

“You and me?”

“….”

“Look at me, please. We promised each other that we’d be honest.”

“That was a long time ago.”

“But you still remember.”

“…”

“Please?”

“Yes. It was.”

“You can’t mean that. Don’t you remember how things were? It was just you and me—“

“Are you so blind that you couldn’t see what was happening? There was no way things could have continued.”

“We were in love.”

“You were dying.”

“…”

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s the way things are. If one of us falls in love with one of you—“

“It will end.”

“It always ends.”

“Could you stay, just for a little while?”

“I can do that.”

Light streaked from the direction of the pair. The fireflies knew that the daughter of moonlight heard them eavesdropping, but they didn’t care. They flew to the skies and danced with their lights, telling a story of loss and love to anyone that would take the time to hear it.

=————————————–=

Inspired by the Engkanto description in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao 2010.

Engkanto Illustration by Pia BMorante

The post Engkanto – Waray Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Waray

May usa nga babayi hadto nga nabuhi ha sakob han iya hunahuna, kun nakikit-an la han iba kun ano an adto ha sakob, maruruyag liwat hira nga didto umukoy. Waray kahumanan an iya napipinsar o naaabat. Kundi, hala, adto na hiya ha kalibutan nga diri hiya an naghimo.

Mayda mga lat-ang ini nga kalibutan. Lugar kun diin nasalakot an kalibutan ha iba ngan mayda mga partikular nga butang nga nakakaeskapo. Ini nga mga butang amo an ispirito han kangalas ngan kawaray, han kademalas ngan kahibang. Waray ini makit-an han babayi, kundi maaram hiya nga pirme la aada iton nga mga butang.

Maaram hiya nga diri gud hira mawawara, tungod kay mayda usa nga kamatuoran nga nahihingalimtan han kadam-an: Nga mas poderoso an mga diri tinuod tanding ha ungod, tungod kay an mga diri nakakaptan nga mga ideya, tuluohan ngan mga konsepto an nalastar. Nabasa niya ini ha usa nga libro, ngan maaram hiya nga mas malastar ini tanding ha dalan nga iya gin-aagian.

Sanglit, ginbuhat niya tanan nga akos niya himuon. Kada adlaw mangisi hiya ngan magpipinsar nga  bangin sadang na ini, ngan ha esensya, tukma hiya. Mag-upay la an iya nakikit-an ha mga tawo ha iya palibot ngan nananalinguha hiya nga makit-an an adto ha luyo han ira mga tahub. Ha kalibutan ha sakob han iya hunahuna, maaram hiya nga an mga tawo natago ha ira kalugaringon nga kawaray, nga amo an rason kun kay ano an ira suol pirme waray sulod. An pinakamakuri igtago amo an mga butang nga diri naeksister.

Kada higayon, nananalinguha an mga ispirutu nga kumapyot ha tanan nga poyde nira kap’tan. Naato an babayi ha nag-uusahay nga pamaagi nga batid niya. Gin-gagamit niya an iya kasingkasing komo giya ngan an iya mga pulong agud ipaabat an iya karuyagon nga makibahin ha anuman nga poblema. Ginlalantaw niya an kabubwason ngan pirme nahikikit-an an adlaw. Waray malain ha pagin positibo, tungod kay poyde hiya magtangis unina.

Sugad hini hiya nabuhi, ngan waray niya ini bag-uhon. Diri para ha ngatanan nga suol nga poyde abaton han mga tawo. Waray umundang an mga ispiritu, kundi bisan hiya diri maukoy. Usa iton nga pirmihay nga sumpakiay, kundi mao iton an kinabuhi para ha iya.

Tubtub ha adlaw nga an kalibutan magin sugad han kun ano an adto ha iya hunahuna, padayon hiya nga mananalinguha kada adlaw nga mahimo iton.

Usa nga problema kada higayon.

=—————————–=
English Version

There once lived a girl who spent her life in her own head, though if others could see what was inside, they would want to live there too. There was no end to what she could think or feel, or imagine. But, alas, she was in a world not of her making.

This world had spaces in between. Places where the world blended with another and certain things could escape. These things were spirits of anger and loss, of misfortune and ruin. The girl could never see them, but she always knew they were there.

She knew that they could never be banished forever, because there was one truth that most people forgot: That the unreal is more powerful than the real, since it is only intangible ideas, concepts, beliefs and concepts that can last. She read that in a book somewhere and she knew them to be more lasting than the ground that she walked on.

So she did what she could. Every day she would smile and she thought, maybe, it would be enough, and in a sense she was right. She only saw the best in the people around her and she tried to see through their masks. In the world in her head she knew that people hide within their own emptiness, which is why their pain was always hollow. The hardest things to hide are the ones that aren’t there.

Every moment the spirits would take their time latching on to whatever they could. The girl fought the only way she knew how. She let her heart be her guide and used her words to share a burden. She would look to tomorrow and always see the sun. It never hurt to be optimistic, because she could always cry later.

This is the way she lived her life, and she never changed the way she could be. Not for all the pain that she knew people could feel. The spirits never relented, but neither would she. It was a constant struggle, but that’s what life was to her.

Until the day the world could be like it was in her head, she would spend every day trying to make it so.

One problem at a time.

————————–————————–————————-

*Waray is the fifth-most-spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas. It is the native language of the Waray people and second language of the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar and some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern parts of Leyte island. It is the third most spoken language among the Visayan languages, only behind Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Waray translation by Joan Sebastian
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Joan Sebastian

Inspired by the Maligno myths and Marj

Watercolor by Tara Singson
IG: https://www.instagram.com/tarabell93/

The post Maligno – Waray Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Waray

An bulan, hadlok idayag an iya lamrag, umatras ha luyo han mga dampog.

Kaupay. Pinsar ni Sonja. Hinaot unta waray pa hira magtikang samtang waray pa ako.

Natikakusog an mga natahuban nga tingog ha sakob han bag, kundi waray bisan ano an diri maaayad han usa nga malaksi nga banyak. Maaram hiya nga poyde hiya gumamit hin mahika agud pakaturugon an mga adto ha sulod han bag kundi waray niya ini gamiton. Pirme napipinsar ni Sonja nga an guti nga kahadlok, nakakaupay gud han nanam.

An kiritaan amo an kagurangan ha ligid han syudad. Tikang han panahon han mga kadaan nga kahadian, nagkikirigta hira ngan nagsasaro ha pista. Usa nga makatarawa nga butang nga an pista kadungan han kaadlawan han anak han birhen.

Gindanas ni Sonja an sako ngadto ha sarakban han kagurangan. Bug-os nga gab-i an pista ngan nadiri hiya nga sumugal ha anuman nga risgo. Ginbilin niya an iya mga tiil ha kagurangan ngan nagselebrar bug-os nga gab-i

Usa nga mangingilaw an bantay yana ha kagurangan. “Kahirayo mo ha im urukyan,” sering ni Sonja.

“Napakadto ako kun hain ak gin-imbitar,” baton niya.

“Ano an im dara?” Ginlabay ni Sonja an bag ngadto ha tiil han higante.

“Mga hilaw.”

“Syempre, mao an karuyag han mga sugad ha imo. Urhi na ba ako?”

“Sulod, manananggal, waray pa kami magtikang.”

Nakaginhawa hi Sonja. An pangabre nga seremonya amo an pinakamaupay nga parte. Ginbilin niya an iya mga tiil ha hirani nga puno ngan linupad.

Inupod hiya ha iba pa, naglinupad-lupad ha bawbaw han mga puno.

Diri maihap an alibadut, abat, kubot, alan, bannog, magkukutud, kalibadut ngan iba pa nga makaharadlok nga mananap an inapi. Ha kawaray han lamrag tikang ha bulan, pangabat la an ira giya ha ira malain nga sayaw.

Kadungan hini an makusog ngan malain nga kulaog han mga halimaw nga bisita han gab-i. Nakiduyog an mga tingog han bungisngis, kiwig ngan kulukupap, kaupod an damo nga iba pa ha selebrasyon.

Nahuman an seremonya han liningkod an hadi han mga mambabarang ha trono han mga tul-an ngan dugo.

Nasorpresa hi Sonja ha kun ano kaorganisado an tanan, kada grupo mayda kalugaringon nga espasyo ha kagurangan agud magtirok han karne para ha pista.

Karuyag niya tilawan an magkadirudilain nga mga halad ngan diri maaram kun diin magtitikang. Naglaway hiya tungod ha baho han dugo tikang ha parte han mandurugo, an tunog nga tikang ha palayok han pirotso nga amo an pangilal-an han lab-as nga kabataan, mayda koleksyon han mga ulo an mga saga-ih nga bug-os pa an mga unod.

Mayda liwat mga ‘moderno’ nga paghaum ha mga kadaan: Maragumo nga dinuguan nga mayda pinirito nga tinae, tudlo, bulalo han mga mata ngan nakaladkad nga mga puso nga mayda utak nga sabaw.

Ha kada minuto nga nalabay, dugang nga nagugutom hi Sonja ngan ginpili niya an puwesto ha sapit niya kun diin natindog an usa nga tigabulak. Natindog ini ha atubangan han usa nga lamesa nga mayda dako nga tadtaran ngan puthaw nga kutsilyo. Naaningal tikang ha sako ha luyo han tigabulak an mga tangis nga naaro hin bulig, nga nagdurot hin sobra nga karayhak kan Sonja. Marasa gud an sugad kalab-as nga karne nga gin-andam han tibulak, ginpapili pa gud niya hi Sonja kun hain nga bata an iya karuyag.

Han natudlok hiya ha usa nga guti nga bata nga haros lima katuig, usa nga kasamukan an binuto hirani ha iya.

Nagsering an tigabulak, nga klaro ha nawong an kauyam, “Hin-o an nag-imbitar ha iya ngadi?”

Linupad hi Sonja agud makit-an kun ano an nahitatabo ngan dagmit niya nga nakilal-an an mamam, nga pirit nga nasulod ha pista.

Tikang han panhitabo pira kabulan na an naglabay, nagdesisyon an ngatanan nga madarahug nga igtago an mga pista ha mamam, ha kahadlok nga mahimo nga kasamukan an selebrasyon.

Gin-atentaran han iba nga higante sugad han mangingilaw ngan timu-timu nga pugngan ini, kundi diri napaulang an mamam labina kun aada na ha iya atubangan an pagkaon. Diri iton maundang bisan kun an kontra igkasi halimaw.

Nakit-an ni Sonja nga haros ngatanan naeskapo na, dara an bahin nira ha pista. Ngan bisan hi Alan, nagdadagmit nga gumikan dara an usa nga guti nga bata.

Subay ha pangabat ni Sonja kinahanglan na niya dumalagan ngadto ha hirayo ngan dumalagan hin dagmit, kundi waray niya mahimo nga diri tumukod ha nalalain nga halimaw.

Usa kaoras na tikang han pagtikang han pananamok han mamam. An mga duguon nga patay nga lawas han bungisngis ngan ogro an pamatuod han panmatay. Naato ha tikaperdi nga agway iton mga nagpabilin agud depensahan an ira mga pagkaon.

Waray ginkikilala nga kaugop an mamam labot ha kagutom.

Aswang man o tawo, ginkaon la niya ngatanan.

Nakit-an ni Sonja an mga wais nga mga tawo nga ginsingabot an kasamukan agud talwason an kalugaringon. Usa nga burod an nakakadto ha guba samtang nalilibang an wak-wak nga nagdakop ha iya.

Waray kusog o mahika an makakapugong ha mamam. Ginsugo han hadi han mga mambabarang nga pasul-an an halimaw kundi baga dugang la iton nga nagutom. Duha nga mambabarang an namatay han gintulon hira han mamam.

Ha katapusan, natindog an mamam. Waray patay nga lawas, waray tul-an nga nagbilin hin pangilal-an han iya ginbuhat.

Waray na mahimo hi Sonja sanglit ginkarawat nala niya an panhitabo ngan linupad ngadto ha iya mga tiil, waray sulod an iya tiyan ha gab-i han pista.

=————————-=

English Version

The moon, afraid to shine its light, retreated behind the clouds.

Perfect. Sonja thought. I hope they didn’t start without me.

The muffled voices inside the bag were starting to get louder, but nothing a swift kick wouldn’t fix. She knew there was magic that she could use to put them to sleep, she decided against it though. Sonja always thought that a little fear did wonders for flavor.

The meeting spot was in a grove in the outskirts of the city. Since the days of the old kingdoms they would meet and share in the feast. It was an amusing irony that the feast was on the same day as the birth of the virgin’s child.

Sonja dragged the sack to the entrance of the grove. The feast would take all night and she didn’t want to take any risks. She would leave her legs inside the grove and celebrate throughout the night.

Guarding the grove this time was a mangingilaw. “You’re far from home,” Sonja said.
“I go where I am invited,” he replied.

“What did you bring?” Sonja tossed the bag to the giant’s feet.

“Something raw.”

“Of course, that’s what your kind likes. Am I late?”

“Enter, mananaggal, we have not yet started.”

Sonja sighed with relief. The opening ceremony was the best part. She left her legs by a nearby tree and soared upwards.

There she joined the flock, swirling above the trees.

Countless alibadut, abat, kubot, alan, bannog, magkukutud, kalibadut and other flying horrors moved in tandem. Without moonlight they only had their intuition to guide their sinister dance.

Accompanying this was the raucous roar of the terrestrial guests of the night. The bungisngis, kiwig and kulukupap, among many others, lent their voices to the celebration.

The ceremony ended as the king of the mangkukulam took his place on the throne of bones and blood.

Sonja was surprised how orderly everything was, each group had their own space in the grove to gather meat for the feast.

She wanted to try the different offerings and didn’t know where to start. The scent of blood from the mandurugo corner made her salivate, the clang from the pirotso’s pot signaled fresh children, there was a collection of heads by the saga-ih complete with the flesh intact.

There were also more ‘modern’ takes on the classics: Crispy dinuguan with deep fried lamang-loob, finger and eyeball bulalo and sizzling hearts with brain sauce.

Sonja was getting hungrier by the minute and she chose the spot beside her where a tigabulak stood. He was standing in front of a table with a large cutting board and a cleaver. Cries of help were echoing from the sack behind him, filling Sonja with glee. Such fresh meat prepared by a tigabulak would be quite a delicacy, he even let Sonja choose which child.

As Sonja was pointing to a small girl, about five years old, a commotion was thundering near her.

The tigabulak, visibly annoyed, said, “Who invited that here?”

Sonja flew up to see what was happening and she immediately recognized the mamam, pushing its way through the feast.

Ever since the incident many moons ago, all of the horrors decided to hide the feast from the mamam, lest the celebration turn into disaster.

The other giants like the mangingilaw and timu-timu were trying to hold it off, but the creature was unstoppable once food was placed in front of him. It would not even stop against a fellow halimaw.

Sonja could see that most were already trying to escape, taking their share of the feast with them. An alan even darted past her, carrying a small child.

Instinct told Sonja that she should run far and run fast, but she couldn’t take her eyes away from the spectacle.

It had been an hour since the mamam started its rampage. The bloodied corpses of the bungisngis and ogro decorating the slaughter. Those that stayed to guard their food were fighting a losing battle.

The mamam knew no allegiance apart from hunger.

Aswang or human, it ate them all the same.

Sonja could see clever humans taking advantage of the chaos and running for their lives. A pregnant woman even managed to slip into the forest while her wak-wak captor was distracted.

No might or magic could stop it. The king of the mangkukulam had his witches try inflicting pain on the creature but that only seemed to make it even hungrier. Two mangkukulam met their end when the mamam swallowed them whole.

In the aftermath the mamam stood. No corpses, no bones to mark the trail of its passing.

Sonja took in the carnage and fled to her legs, her stomach empty on the night of the feast.

*Waray is the fifth-most-spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas. It is the native language of the Waray people and second language of the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar and some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern parts of Leyte island. It is the third most spoken language among the Visayan languages, only behind Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Waray translation by Joan Sebastian
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Joan Sebastian

Inspired by the Mamam description in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao 2010.

Mamam Illustration by Jesus Miguel Ofalsa

FB: https://www.facebook.com/artsofperdiyo/

The post Mamam – Waray Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Waray

Magigin maupay an ngatanan.

Nahampak an mga balod ha ulo han parupangisda. Nag-atentar hiya nga umabante ha katubigan kundi gin-ulang hiya han bagyo. Yukut kamilyon nga mga tarahiti an naigo ha waray korte nga kadagatan, kundi bisan sugad, maaram hiya nga maundang liwat ini. Waray hiya dad-a ngadto agud malumos, ngan matapod hiya ha ira tubtub ha iya kamatayon.

Nahinumduman niya an mga luha ha mga mata han iya iroy han ginlabay niya an rosaryo hini. Nahadlok ini para ha iya, kundi dugang nga nabaraka para ha iya kalag. Anak an parupangisda han iya amay ngan padayon nga natuod ha kadaan nga mga pamaagi tungod kay aada an tubig ha iya dugo.

Nakimaluoy an iya iroy nga tumapod hiya ha iya tagatalwas, ha ira tagatalwas. An pirme ginpapahinumdom ha iya samtang ginpapatubo hiya ha gugma ngan lamrag, kundi waray niya mahimo nga mamati ha iya iroy. Waray masabtan han iya iroy an ira kinabuhi ha dagat, an mga bantay nga naprotehir ha ira.

“Aswang han Dagat” – amo an ira tawag ha mga sugad. Sering nira, gin-aagda an mga parupangisda ngadto ha tubig pinaagi han ira mga kanta agud lumuson ngan kaunon hira. Nasosorpresa pa gihapon hiya kun ano kaiha na nga nalastar iton nga buwa ngan kun ano kadamo an mga tawo nga padayon nga natuod didto. Maaram an mga parupangisda kun ano iton nga mga istorya: usa nga pagkilala/paghatag hin kangaranan ha pira kasiglo nga pagrespeto ngan pagdayaw ha mga ispiritu.

Kundi waray na gud hiya mahihimo. Ginbag-o na han mga tuig an ginalalauman han mga tawo ha panahon nga nanginginahanglan hira. Waray na mga halad ha dagat, o mga pangadi ha mga balod. Hiya nala an nasalin. An urhi nga anak han natikamatay nga tuluohan.

Natikaluya na an mga braso han parupangisda. Nadadara na an iya lawas han waray kahumanan nga paghampak han mga balod ngan uran. Ginhinumdom niya an iya iroy ngan nagdig-on ha iya panindugan. Ginluwas niya tikang ha iya im-im an urhi nga dasal antes malumos an iya ulo ha mga balod:

An tubig an magdudul-ong ha akon ha balay

Matapod ako ha imo O ispiritu han bagyo ngan dagat

An kasisidman magigin lamrag

Makalma an mga balod

Magigin kaupod ako han dagat

Magigin maupay an ngatanan.

=—————————————–=

English Version

“They will save me.”

The waves crash over the fisherman’s head. He tries to tread water but the storm will not let up. Thousands upon millions of raindrops batter the ocean’s shapeless form, but he knows they will pass. They did not lead him here to drown and he will trust in them until the end of his days.

He remembers the tears in his mother’s eyes when he tossed her rosary aside. She was scared for him, but more concerned for his soul. The fisherman was his father’s son and carried on believing in the old ways because the water was in his blood.

His mother begged him to trust his savior, their savior. The one she had raised him to remember in love and light, but he couldn’t listen to her. She could never understand the life they had at sea, the guardians that protected them.

“Aswang ng Dagat” – that’s what they called them. They say that the spirits lured fishermen into the water with their songs to drown and eat them. It still surprised him how long that lie had lasted and how many people still believed in it. The fishermen knew those stories for what they were: a brush used to paint over the centuries of respect and admiration of the spirits.

There was nothing he could do though. The years had changed what people turned to in their times of need. There were no more offerings by the sea, or prayers to the waves. What was left was him. The last son of a dying belief.

The fisherman’s arms are getting weak now. His body is finally surrendering to the endless onslaught of the waves and the rain. He thinks back to his mother and stays firm in his conviction. His lips release one final prayer before his head goes beneath the waves:

The water will lead me home
I will trust in you
O spirits of storm and sea
The darkness will turn into light
The waves will calm
I will be with the sea

————————–————————–————————–—

*Waray is the fifth-most-spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas. It is the native language of the Waray people and second language of the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar and some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern parts of Leyte island. It is the third most spoken language among the Visayan languages, only behind Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Waray translation by Joan Sebastian
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Joan Sebastian

Inspired by the Magindara entry in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao 2010.

Magindara Illustration by emirajuju
IG: https://www.instagram.com/emirajuju/

Watercolor by Mykie Concepcion
Tumblr: http://mykieconcepcion.tumblr.com/

The post Magindara – Waray Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Waray

Ginlilikayan ni Aguihao nga makipagtukuran sa mumbaki* samtang kapot-kapot niya an an tela nga nagtatakop sa kanya tuo nga butkon.

“Di ak makatoo sa imo sa pagduok saak para mangaro pasaylo sa mga espiritu” sugad sa mumbaki samtang gintutukod an butkon ni Aguihao.

“Kinahanglan ko himuon ak angay himuon para sa ak pamilya” baton ni Aguihao nga mas ginpili nga manukod sa salog kaysa sa makipagtukuran sa mumbaki.

“Gintitiawan mo an tradisyon sa at mga kaapuyan! Sugad na kit sini nabuhi sa pira ka-henersayon tapos yana ginkekwestyon mo?!”

“Di ka nasabot! Di ka maaram kun nano ka kaswerte nga nakikihampang saim an mga Espiritu samtang an mga pareho saam, kinahanglan maningkamot adlaw adlaw tungod sa iyo mga balaod.”

“Iton nga mga balaod kay balaod sa mga Espiritu, an dire pagsunod sa mga balaod kay dire pagsunod sa kabubuwason nga para saim.”

“Imo siguro kabubuwason, pero dire para saak.”

Tigda nagmingaw an palibot pero ginwakay gihapon sa mumbaki.

“Tangtanga iton,” sugad niya kan Aguihao.

Natatangtang an doble-doble nga tela ngan tinambad an nagtutubig ngan nagnanana nga samad. Dire matago ni Aguihon an sakit ngan sa una nga beses, nakatukod na gihapon siya sa mata sa mumbaki. Maiimdan an pagkalooy ngan tala nga pagbasol.

“Sugara saak im istorya,” sugad sa mumbaki.

“Nagtikang an tanan sa kamatay saak asawa.”

“Nahinumdom ak siton. Adto pa ngani an mombangol**.”

“Oo, ngan nawara saak an tanan. Ginprenda ko an ak mga tutuna para yaon ak panggastos sa lamay.”

“Kinahanglan ta sundon an mga ritwal. Sa sulod sa lima kaadlaw, kinahanglan maghalad mga baktin ngan karabaw sa mga ginoo ngan espiritu.”

“Waray pulos nga kuhaan an mga waray na daan.”

“Imortal an kalag. Kinahanglan ta himuon an tanan para sigurado nga mahingadto sa karadtuan sa sunod nga kinabuhi.”

“Sa sulod sa lima kaadlaw ginhayaan namo siya ngan ginbutang sa hangdel***.”

“Ngan ginhimo mo kun nano an dapat himuon nga basi sa tradisyon.”

“Pero dire patas! Mas nawaraan pa ak kaysa sa una.”

“Dire ini hiunong sa lamay hano?”

“Dire ngani.”

“Hala sige ipadayon im istorya.”

“Ikalima ak sa magburugto. Gindurutuhan saak ak kag-anak para makatirok tutuna para sa kanra mga anak, ngan bisan sa kadamo sa kakurian nga gin-again, nakatirok sira lima nga taranuman ngan mga bukid. San ikarasal ak gurang nga lalaki, ginhatag sa kanya an tunga sa sobra sa tunga sa mga tutuna. An nahibilin kay gintunga-tunga sa am tigurangi nga bugto nga babaye ngan sa ak sayo nga bugto nga lalake. Ginhatag lat nira saam magurang nga babaye an amon balay. Wara nahibilin saam nga iba nga magburugto.”

“Delikado im ginaagihan nga dalan. An pagpinangutana sin-sine kay dire maupay sa pagkasarayo. An sayo nga tsansa sa kinabuhi kay ditoy la nga sakripisyo para masigurado nga nasusunod an tradisyon.”

“Damo ura-ura ak utang nga susundan ak abot sa ak kamatay, ngan maeeredar pa saak mga anak hangtod sa kanra pa mga anak. Ginhimo ko la ak kaya para mahatagan sira tsansa.”

“Mao iton an rason kun nano kinadto ka sa balay saim bugto nga lalake?”

“Damo an kanya kwarta ngan dire niya mapapansin nga may kulang. Nanginahanglan la ak tala nga kantidad.”

“Pero nadakpan ka sa mga Espiritu”

“Dire ak maaram nga gintawag sa ak bugto an mga Espiritu para bantayan an kanya mga butang.”

“Mangangawat ka ba kun nahibaro ka?”

“Oo. Kun para saak pamilya.”

Nagmingaw na lat an kanra palibot pero yana, si Aguihao na an binuong sa kamingaw.

“Makadto na ak, mumbaki. Naiimdan ko saim mata nga dire la an mga butang saak bugto ak nalabtan kundi pati an tradisyon saat tribo. Dako nga butang an pangaro pasaylo sa duha, ngan mao ini akon angay buhaton.”

Sa titugbos na si Aguihao para lumakaw, gin-igbaw sa mumbaki an kanya kamot.

“Dida ka la” sugad sa mumbaki.

“Hihimuon mo na an ritwal?” pangutana ni Aguihao.

“Maaram ka ba nga sayo ak sa mga nahitutura nga mumbaki sa amo probinsya?”

“Nabatian ko ngani nga tagditoy nala an nasunod sa pagigin mumbaki.”

“Mao na siguro an senyales sa panahon, di ngani, mao an paagi sa mga Espiritu nga dire sira mabatian.  Tikamatay na an daan nga mga paagi, Aguihao. Mas pipilion pa sa mga kabatan-on yana an ditoy nga papel nga nagsusugad nga “edukado” sira kaysa sa mahibaro sa mga ampo ngan kanta saat mga tawo. Nakikihampang sira sa kanra ginoo nga tulo an pagkatawo ngan mag dayaw sa mga bato nga templo.”

“Kanra ba iton sala? Nano pa an nahibilin para saat didi?”

“Sa im pag-abat wara na nahibilin didi, pero makaburungol la gihapon an mga Espiritu sa kamingawan didi.”

Tinugbos an mumbaki kapot-kapot an bukton ni Aguihao.

“Sa yana, kinahanglan ta manok.”

=—————————————=

English Version

Aguihao avoids the gaze of the mumbaki* as he clutches the fabric covering his right arm.

“I am amused by the nerve you have coming to me to ask for the spirit’s forgiveness,” the mumbaki says as he looks at Aguihao’s arm.

“I did what I needed to do for my family,” Aguihao answers, preferring to look at the ground than meet the mumbaki eye to eye.

“You spit on the traditions of our ancestors! This is the way we have lived for generations and you dare question this?!”

“You don’t understand! You don’t know how lucky you are to let the spirits speak through you while those like me have to toil day after day because of your ‘laws’.”

“Those laws are governed by the spirits, to go against them is to go against destiny.”

“Your destiny maybe, but not mine.”

A pang of silence fills the air and is broken by the mumbaki.

“Take it off,” he commands Aguihao.

The layers of fabric give way to a swollen wound leaking pus. Aguihao’s face barely hides the pain and for the first time looks into the mumbaki’s eyes. There is pity there and a small twinge of regret.

“Tell me your story,” said the mumbaki.

“It started with the death of my wife.”

“I remember that. The mombangol** attended.”

“Yes, and I lost everything. I had to mortgage my property to find the funds for the vigil.”

“We all must follow the rituals. For five days pigs and carabaos must be offered to the gods and spirits.”

“It makes no sense to take from those who have nothing.”

“The soul is immortal. We must do all we can to make sure it finds its place in the life after this life.”

“For those five days we mourned her and sat her upon the hangdel***.”

“And you have done as you must do based on our traditions.”

“But it’s not fair! I have even less than what I had before.”

“This is not just about the vigil is it?”

“No, it is not.”

“Tell me the rest of your story.”

“I am the fifth child of my parents. They had worked tirelessly to save property for their children and through their trials they had accumulated five rice fields and forests. When my older brother was to be married, he got one half of three fourths of the property. And the rest was divided among my eldest sister and my other brother. They even gave my eldest sister the family home. The rest of us were left with nothing.”

“You tread on dangerous ground. Questioning this is acting against unity. One’s chance in life is but a small sacrifice to ensure that the traditions are upheld.”

“I am in a debt that will follow me until I die, that my children and their children will inherit. I did what I could to give them a chance.”

“Is that why you went to your brother’s house?”

“He has so much, he wouldn’t notice some money missing. I just needed a small amount.”

“And then the spirit caught you.”

“I did not know that my brother had the spirit invoked to protect his belongings.”

“Would you have tried to steal had you known?”

“Yes. If only for my family.”

Another spate of silence filled the room, but this time it was Aguihao that broke it.

“Goodbye, mumbaki. I can see it in your eyes that I have trespassed not only on my brother’s property but also on the traditions of our tribe. It is much too much to ask forgiveness for both, and this would be my penance.”

As Aguihao stood to walk away the mumbaki raised his hand.

“Stay,” the mumbaki intoned.
“Will you do the ritual then?” Aguihao asked.

“Do you know I am one of the last mumbaki among our provinces?”

“I have heard that less and less people were taking up the mantle of the mumbaki.”

“It may be the sign of the times, or maybe the spirits aren’t letting themselves be heard. The old ways are dying Aguihao. The young would rather have a piece of paper that says they are ‘educated’ than committing to learning the prayers and chants of our people. They speak to their god with three natures in one and worship in stone temples.”

“Is it their fault? What is there that is left for us here?”

“You may feel that there is nothing here, but the spirits echo loudest in the silence.”

The mumbaki stands up and clutches Aguihao’s arm.

“For now, we will need a chicken.”

=——————————————————–=

*Mumbaki/Mombaki an tawag sa paragbulong sa barang sa Ifugao. (Mumbaki/Mombaki are shamans in Ifugao culture.)

**The chief mumbaki.

***An improvised chair constructed under the house.

*Waray is the fifth-most-spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas. It is the native language of the Waray people and second language of the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar and some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern parts of Leyte island. It is the third most spoken language among the Visayan languages, only behind Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Waray translation by Jmee Juanerio
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jmee Juanerio

Inspired by the Pili description in Gibson’s Sacrifice and Sharing in the Philippine Highlands (London School of Economics Monographs on Social Anthropology,n.57); The Athlone Press: London, UK, 1986.

Pili Illustration by Alvin Gasga

FB: The Art of Alvin Gasga

The post Pili – Waray Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Waray

Ak urom kada gab-e kay pareho la pirme.

Magtitikang pirme sa ak higdaan. Dire maaram an mga paragbulong kun nano an nahitabo sa ak. Pirme sira nagsusugad nga yaon na lat sira sasarihan nga paagi mao nga pirme ko sira ginpapatawa. Maaram ak nga magigin masuol tanan para sa ak, pero dire ko mabasol an mga doctor kay ginhihimo manla nira an kanra trabaho.

Inabot na an dagom. Gintusok tusok ak ngan ginsarihan sa pira ka oras. Ginsisiguro man ak sa mga nars. Sige an kanra sugad nga magigin maupay ngan mahuhuman gihapon an tanan. Di sira naghihimo mga butang nga maaram sira makakadugang sa kakuri mao nga wara ak iba nga mahimo kundi an humangos nala abot sa mahuman.

An pinakamakuri sa tanan kay an kahuman sa ngatanan. Kahuman sa ngatanan nga pagsari ngan pagbulong, ako nala magsasayuan sa ak higdaan sa hospital. Mao gihapon kun diin nagtikang an tanan. Masugad sira nga ira ak oobserbahan ngan yaon mga doctor nga mag iimod saak kada pira ka oras.

Didto ko iton maiimdan, baga ngan halaba nga tikang sa atop. Dire ak maaram kun nano iton siya ngan kun nakadugtong iton siya sa sayo nga butang, pero nakilwag siya nga mali may kinabuhi. Dire ak makakilwag. Sa kadamo sa ginhimo saak, maluya ak ura-ura para dire ak labtan sa kun nano man iton.

Didto ko iton nakaptan. Sa oras nga ginlabtan ak siton nga baga nga butang, grabe ak dalagan nga mali nakirumbaanay. Tanan nga ak kusog kay ginawas hangtod sap agal na ak ura-ura para magin hadok. An pagtukod nala siton nga baga nga butang an ak nahimo. Mapinit siya kun kaptan ngan sige an kilwag abot sa naabat na niya an tanan nga parte sa ak lawas.

Ginsarihan ko nga gumasod pero pagal na ak ura-ura. An malain nga pamati kay naabat ko na saak bug-os nga kalawasan pero dire ak maaram kun gaanano na kaiha. Karuyag ko la makabalik saak pag katurog.

Tigda may sinulod nga nars. Tigda liwat nawara an baga nga butang sa ak pangimod. Ginapangutan-an ak niya kun okay la ak pero wara ak kusog para makasugad manla nga dire.

“Ay kabahala kay ine nga bulong pamamatahon ka la dali tapos makaka-katurog ka na gihapon,” mao an kanya bagaw.

Naruyag ak gumasod pero wara nagawas.

=———————————————————=

English Version

Every nightmare I have is the same.

It all starts in my bed. I’m in the hospital, as always. The doctors still don’t know what’s wrong with me. They say that they’re going to try another test and I humor them. I know it’s going to be painful for me, but I don’t blame the doctors, they’re just trying to do their jobs.

Then the needles arrive. I get poked and prodded for hours. The nurses try to reassure me. They tell me that everything’s going to be fine and it will all be over soon. They wouldn’t do anything that would make things worse so all I have to do is breathe, just until it’s over.

The worst part comes when it’s all over. After the tests and the treatments, I’m alone in my hospital bed. Back where I started. They tell me I’ll be put on observation and there will be a doctor checking on me every few hours.

That’s when I see it, something long and red coming from the roof. I don’t know what it is and I don’t know if it’s attached to anything, but it moves like it was alive. I can’t move. I’m too weak from all the tests to stop it from touching me.

Then I feel it. The moment the red thing touches me, it’s like I ran a marathon. The energy flows out of me until I’m too tired to even be afraid. All I do is stare at the red thing. It feels cold to the touch and it moves around until it touches every part of my body.

I try to scream but I’m too tired. The strange sensation is all over my body now and I don’t know how long it’s been. I just want to go back to sleep.

Then suddenly, a nurse walks in. The red thing disappears from my sight. She asks me if I’m okay and I can’t muster the strength to say no.

“Don’t worry the medicine will only keep you awake for a little while longer then you can sleep,” she says.

I try to scream again but nothing comes out.

=——————————————————-=

*Waray is the fifth-most-spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas. It is the native language of the Waray people and second language of the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar and some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern parts of Leyte island. It is the third most spoken language among the Visayan languages, only behind Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Waray translation by Jmee Juanerio
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jmee Juanerio

Inspired by the Mansusopsop legends

Mansusopsop Illustration by NightmareSyrup
Tumblr: http://nightmaresyrup.tumblr.com/

The post Mansusopsop – Waray Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Waray

Ginhuhunahuna han nga tanan nga sumat-sumat la an biraddali dinhi ha kalibutan, diri hira maaram nga nag-

iikmat la kami hin duro nga diri kami makit-an. Labot man gud la hadto’n kausa, hadto’n takna nga an usa ha amon asya’n hinungdan nga waray kami makabantay. Kay man gud, kami nga pito nga magburugto nga babayi, nalusad dinhi ha kalibutan pinaagi han balangaw basi hukason an amon plata nga mga pako agud magpahilbway ngan mangarigo ha mahagnaw nga mga busay ha kabukiran.

Usa ka adlaw, may usa nga tawo nga nakakita han amon mga pako nga nakada han tuna ngan iya kami gintarhog nga hihimuon kami kuno niya nga mga asawa. ‘Ta kay, maupay na la nga kami nga unom nga mga namamagurang baga nakapanhunahuna nga igpaharani la an amon mga pako, asya dida han tidaop na hiya, ginsuklob namon dayon an am’ mga pako ngan linmupad balik ha kalangitan. Lugaring an amon pudo nga bugto, tungod kay hirayo an iya binutangan han iya mga pako, asya nga nakawat an mga ini hadto’n lalaki.

Man gud, diri napapirdi iton usa nga biraddali. Siyahan, ginliwat han am’ pudo nga bugto an iya kalugaringon ngan nahimo hiya nga halas. Kinmamang na unta hiya pahirayo lugaring kay parupanganop ngay-an an lalaki asya nga ginbitik la hiya dayon hini ngan ginbutang dida hin tangkal. Abaadaw kay ginliwat na liwat han amon bugto an iya kalugaringon ngan nahimo hiya nga kamuntaha asya nga nakatago hiya ilarom han kagurangan. ‘Ta kay matarom ngay-an an pangitaan han lalaki, nakit-an niya an amon bugto nga nagdadagmit pahirayo. ‘Ka niyan, nagpakaulalahipan liwat an amon bugto, nagsarusaklang hiya han mga sanga han kahoy basi makatalwas la han paglanat han lalaki, lugaring malaksi gud an lalaki kay iya nabalaong an ulalahipan dida han usa nga sanga. Ha katapos-taposan, waray na gud an am’ pudo nahimo, kay kun waray man gud an iya mga pako, nagtitikawara an gahom han biraddali.

Sinmugot na la an amon bugto na magin asawa hiya han lalaki, ngan nag-ukoy hiya kaupod han lalaki samtang naghihinulat han adlaw nga makuha niya balik an iya plata nga mga pako ngan makalupad balik sakay han balangaw tikadto ha kalangitan. Waray kami tinmugot nga mga magurang nga mag-inukoy na la liwat ha kalibutan an amon pudo nga bugto upod adto nga lalaki.

Lugaring nadiri kami mamiligro nga madakop han mga lalaki, ngan nahadlok liwat an tagsa ha amon nga mapipilo an amon mga pako, asya ginpasakay namon an amon mga huring dida han kahanginan, naglalaom nga an usa hini makaabot didto han amon dinakop nga bugto.

Naghuring kami kabahin han kagurangan ngan kakahoyan, ngan ginsumatan namon hiya nga ginlubong han tawo an iya plata nga mga pako didto ilarom hin usa nga puno ha ligid han salog. Naghuring kami hiunong hin kagawasan ngan paglaom. Naghuring kami nga ginhihidlaw na kami ha iya.

Ngan usa ka adlaw, nahibatian gihapon kami. Nakakalagiw an amon pudo nga bugto tikang han balay han lalaki samtang nakadto ini ha kagurangan. Pitos an iya dalagan tikadto han kakahoyan. Waray pa gud kami igkita hin lurulaksi nga biraddali, ngan waray pa gud liwat anghel an nakasantop kun ano iton kagawasan.

Ginhuhunahuna han nga tanan nga sumat-sumat la iton biraddali, kay maaram kami kun ano an kabangis nga hinuhuptan hiton tawo. Diri ug diri na makukuha tikang ha amon an amon mga pako. Diri na mahibabaro an bisan hin-o ha amon kun ano an kahadlok hiton pagkagaod hin usa ha tuna. Diri na mag-aagi an nahabibilin ha amon han kakurian han pakahibaro nga diri kami kumpleto.

Magpapabilin kami nga buhi dida ha mga mito ngan sumat-sumat han mga tawo ngan han kabaysay han balangaw. Ha pagkayana, ug ha kadayonan.

=————————————————————–=

English Version

Everyone thinks the biraddali are myths on earth, we’re just too careful to let ourselves be seen. Except for one occasion, one time when one of us let our guard down. You see, us seven sisters take the rainbow down to earth to remove our silver wings and relax and bathe in the fresh mountain springs.

One day, a human saw our wings on the ground and threatened to make us his wives. We eldest sixsisters were wise enough to keep our wings close and when he got near, we put on our wings and flew back to the heavens. But the youngest sister kept her wings further away and the man stole them from her.

A biraddali will not back down. The youngest sister changed into a snake at first, slithering away, but the man was a hunter and trapped the snake in a cage. The youngest then changed into a scorpion and hid amongst the forest floor, but the man’s vision was great, so he saw her scuttling away. The youngest then changed into a centipede, going up the tree branches to escape his advances, but the man was quick, he stopped the centipede at a branch. Finally, the youngest had no choice, without her wings the biraddali’s power was fading.

The youngest acquiesced to being the man’s wife, and she stayed with him, waiting for the day she could get her silver wings and fly back on the rainbow towards the heavens. We elder sisters would not let the youngest remain on earth with the man.

We did not want to risk getting captured by the man ourselves, and each one of us was scared of getting our wings clipped, so we carried our whispers on the winds, hoping that one would reach our trapped sister.

We whispered of the forest and of the trees, telling her that the man buried her silver wings under a tree beside the river. We whispered of freedom and hope. We whispered that we missed her.

And one day, we were heard. The youngest sister escaped the man’s house while he was away and dashed towards the forest. Never had there been a swifter biraddali, and never had any angel knew what freedom had meant.

Everyone will think the biraddali are myths, for we know the cruelty that man can possess. Our wings will never be taken from us. Never again will one of us know the fear of being shackled to the earth. Never again will the rest know the misery of knowing that we are not complete.

We will remain alive in the myths of men and in the beauty of the rainbow. For now, and forever.

=—————————————=

*Waray is the fifth-most-spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas. It is the native language of the Waray people and second language of the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar and some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern parts of Leyte island. It is the third most spoken language among the Visayan languages, only behind Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Waray translation by Hiyom Labon Buhi

Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Hiyom Labon Buhi

Inspired by “The Seven Angels.” in Sulu Studies 2. Rixhon ed. 1973.

The Seven Biraddali Sisters Illustration and Colors by Elise Mendoza.

The post The 7 Biraddali Sisters – Waray Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Waray

Tinmutok ako ha iya makaharadlok nga mga mata

Ngan nangurog

Sayop ada ini

Lugaring urhi na

Urhi-urhian na hin duro

“Kay ano ka aanhi?” ginhiram niya an iya kutsilyo

Ginlanat ko an akon ginhawa katima,

Sinmandig ako han kamatuoran

“Sumati ako Apoy, paunan-o matatapos an kalibutan?”

“Damo an baton hito nga pakiana, idoy,

Sugad kadamo han mga bituon ha kalangitan.”

Ginpakurog han iya halaba nga ngirit an akon kaunoran

Gin-ukab han iya mga mata an akon kalag.

“Karaotan la an dara han baton hito ngada ha imo.”
“Oo,” baton ko “Lugaring kinahanglan ko mahibaro.”

“Ada, hala,” nga laong niya

Tinmukdaw hiya ngan ginmawas han kwarto

Nag-ininaw-inaw la anay ako palibot

Han makangingirhat nga mga butang

Nga nagsasasrang ha iya payag;

Mga tudlo ngan mga bungo ngan dirudilain la

Nga mga parte han lawas hin damo nga mga binuhat

Nga waray ko na isipa pa

Linmingkod ako ngan ak’ gintutukan an kutsilyo nga biniyaan

Nga ha akon ino-ino, kun ibabaligya ini,

Mamahal an balor ha merkado

Pananglitan paraon la an pula hini nga mga dum-it.

Binmalik an babayi

Nga may dara nga us’ ka makaong nga tubig

Ngan naglalaga nga bato

“Kay ano mo karuyag mahibaro?”

Pakiana niya

“Diri na importante,” baton ko

“Balitaw?

Ano nga mga sekreto an imo tinatago?”
“Sige na gad, Apoy, batona an akon pakiana.”

Ginkuha niya an iya kutsilyo

Ngan ginhiwa niya an iya palad,

Iya ginpaturo an dugo didto han tubig

An naglalaga nga bato iya ginpaligid

Ngan an duason-asul hini nga lamrag

Nagbitad hin mga lambong ha bug-os nga kwarto

“Nakikit-an ko na,” nga laong niya

Human hin haros waray kataposan nga kahilom

“Ano an imo nakikit-an Apoy?”

“May ada ko nakikita nga dadako nga kalawas,

Dadako pa hin bis’ ano nga puro.

May ada ko nakikit-an nga mga barahibo

Hinimo hin mga espada

Ngan an puthaw hini nga mga kulo

Nakikit-an ko an akon kalugaringon

Dida han iya mga mata”

Nagtikalamrag an asul nga laga

Nga nagbak-ad pa hin duroy kamakarimadima

Nga mga lambong ha amon palibot

“Ano an may ada, Apoy?”

“Tikang ini ha iya yungib nga binabantayan hin asul nga aso

Ngan naghuhulat ini

Didto ha kasidsiran ha sinirangan.”

Nahimo nga itom an tubig dida han makaong

Nakit-an ko an tubig nga mabangis an pagtabsik

“Nakikit-an ko an katapusan han mga adlaw,”

Lain na an iya tingog

Daw gurang na hin duro

Daw kasisidman

“Aw, karuyag ngay-an hito nga diyo nga tawo

Mahibaro paunan-o matatapos an nga tanan?”

Nga laong han iya bag-o nga tingog

“Oo Apoy, kinahanglan ko mahibaro.”

“Kun asya man, kitaa!”

Tinmudlok hiya ha tubig

Matin-aw na ini

Ngan nakit-an ko an akon kahimo

Lugaring diri, diri la an akon kahimo

Nakit-an ko an iya nakit-an

Nakit-an ko an adlaw ngan an bulan

Ngan ginlalam-oy han kasisidman

Nakit-an ko an kagutom

Nga diri ug diri matatagbaw

Nagtinuok ako

Pakahibaro ko nga an kalibutan

Diri magkakaada hin paglaom

Dida hiton kataposan

Naghalo an akon mga luha ngan an tubig

Ngan binmalik an kaitom

“Diri gad ito mahihimo nga sugad iton katapusan,” siring ko

“Siring ko pa ha imo nga karaotan la

An dara ha imo han baton.”

Naliwat na an iya tingog

Yana, puno na ini hin kaluoy

“Ginbaton ko na an imo pakiana idoy,

Yana batona ako.
Kay ano nga karuyag mo mahibaro?”

Nagtapo an amon mga siplat

Ngan kamatuoran la an akon nayakan

“Karuyag ko mahibaro

Kun san-o ko ngahaw hiya makikit-an”

“Hin-o?” Pakiana han babayi

“An akon hinigugma, an akon kinabuhi,”
Akon baton

“Ginsidngan man gud ako hin usa

Nga parupareho ha imo

Nga makikit-an ko hiya

Dida hiton katapusan hit kalibutan

Asya nga maghuhulat ako

Hasta umulpot an higayon

Nga makikit-an ko ngahaw hiya”

“Lurong ka!”
Tinmigbas an iya mga pulong ha akon kalag

“Natatapos an mga kalibutan kada adlaw

Sigurado ka ba nga an imo ginbibiling

Diri an imo kalugaringon nga katapusan?”

“Diri ako maaram, Apoy.”
Nagtinuok na liwat ako

Ngan an akon mga luha nahulog didto han tubig

Nakit-an ko na an katapusan nga mas matin-aw

Kun paunan-o han tusak hini gindakop an bulan ngan adlaw

Kun paunan-o ini ka waray panginlabot han kinabuhi han tawo

Ginpasalamatan ko an lagas nga babayi ngan linmakat ako

Samtang hiya nag-iino-ino

Lugaring waray pa ako makakaulpot ha may ganghaan

Sinmiring hiya

“Ayaw lanata an katapusan, idoy.

Kasubo la an may ada hito nga aragian.”

“Maaram ako, Apoy.”

Waray na hiya iba pa nga ginbungat

Dida han akon paglakat

Ngan ginputos ko an akon kabido

Ha akon kabug-osan

Ngan naghinumdom

Han mga barahibo

Han ginsalaming nga mga mata

Han malinguon nga mga kulo

Ngan hinmiyom

Kay nakit-an ko an katapusan

Ngan dida han katapusan

Nakit-an ko hiya

=———————————————————=

English Version

She sat before me, wrapped in grey smoke.
Her red painted lips pursing into a small smile
A knife was set on the table before us
I stared in her cold eyes and shuddered
Maybe this was a mistake
But it was too late now
Far, too late
“Why are you here?” she fondled the knife
I caught my breath and leaned on the truth
“Tell me, lola, how will the world end?”

“That question has many answers, iho,
As many as there are stars in the sky.”
Her wide smile tensed my muscles
Her eyes dug into my soul
“The answer will only bring ruin.”
“Yes,” I replied “but still I must know.”

“Very well then,” she said
She stood up and left the room
And I took a moment to look around
The grotesque trophies littered her hovel
Fingers and skulls and parts of other creatures
I dare not imagine
I sat down and stared at the knife left behind
It would have fetched a fair price in any market
If the red stains were removed

The woman came back
With a bowl of water
And a glowing stone
“Why do you want to know?”
She asked
“It is not important,” I replied
“Oh, isn’t it?
What secrets do you keep from yourself?”
“Please lola, answer my question.”

She took the knife
And cut her hand
Letting drops of blood trickle into the water
The glowing stone was set to the side
And its pale blue light cast shadows around the room
“I can see it,” she said after an eternity of silence
“What do you see lola?”

“I see its giant frame, larger than any island.
I see its feathers made of swords
And its iron claws
I see myself in its eyes”
The blue glow was brighter now
Casting even more violent shadows around us
“What is it, lola?”

“It comes from its cave guarded by blue smoke
And lies in wait
In the eastern horizon.”
The water in the bowl turned black
I could see the liquid splash violently
“I see the end of days,”
She spoke with a different voice now
Something old
Something dark

“So the little human wishes to know
How it will all end?” She said in her new voice
“Yes lola, I need to know.”
“Then look!”
She pointed to the water
The liquid was clear now
And I could see my reflection
But no, not just my reflection

I saw what she saw
I saw the sun and the moon
Consumed by darkness
I saw the hunger
That would never be satisfied
I cried then
To know that the world
Would know no hope
Not in the end

My tears mixed with the water
And it the blackness returned
“It can’t end that way,” I said
“I told you the answer would only bring your ruin.”
Her voice changed again
Now filled with pity

“I answered your question iho,
Now answer mine.
Why do you want to know?”

Our eyes met
And I could only say the truth
“I want to know when I
Will see her again”

“Who?” The woman asked
“My love, my life,” I replied
I was told by one like you
That I will see her
When the world ends

So I wait
Until that moment
When I can see her
“Fool that you are!”
Her words cut into my soul

“Worlds end every day
Are you sure it is not your end that you seek?”
“I do not know, lola.”
I started to cry again
And my tears dropped into the water

I could see the end more clearly now
How its beak ensnared the sun and moon
How it cared so little for the lives of man

I thanked the old woman and left her
To her thoughts
But before I reached the door
She said
“Do not chase the end, iho.
There is only sorrow in that path.”

“I know, lola.”
She said nothing else as I left
And I wrapped my sorrow
Around me

And remember
The feathers
The mirrored eyes
The treacherous claws
And smile

For I saw the end
And in the end
I saw her

=————————————————–=

*Waray is the fifth-most-spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas. It is the native language of the Waray people and second language of the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar and some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern parts of Leyte island. It is the third most spoken language among the Visayan languages, only behind Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Waray translation by Hiyom Labon Buhi
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Hiyom Labon Buhi

Illustration by Harv Heinrich
FB: Harvibore

Inspired by the Minokawa description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

The post Minokawa – Waray Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Waray

Kun diin kit tinuok

Didi liwat kit magtitikang

An Muya

An Bayi-Bayi

An kanya ngaran, Amburukay

An kanya tinago nga kadaragan-an

Gintatago niya sa tor-re

An Muya

An Bayi-bayi

Kun sin-o man an makakuha sa kanya tuos

Sa kanya bulawan nga dutdot

Aasawahon niya

Taghoy, an duwende

An Espiritu nga taga tugway

Ni Labaw Donggon

Ginsugaran siya nga upayon

An kanya wakay nga bidya

An tuos la

San Muya

San Bayi-bayi

Kanya ginkuha

Di siya maaram sa tuos

San Muwa

San Bayi-bayi

Dapat niya asawahon

Amburukay

An adlaw sa kasal

Sa kanya balay

Sa balay san lalaki

Gindara ngadto sa Muwa

Ngadto sa Bayi-bayi

Grabe nga haya ni Labaw Donggon

Dire an Muwa

Dire an Bayi-bayi

Dire ko siya kaya nga pakaslan

Amburukay

Wara siya didto

Kanya la binukot

Kanya la mga tinago nga mga kadaragan-an

Kanya mga anak nga babaye

Naglipay si Labaw Donggon

Kun diin kit tanan tinuok

Didi lat kit mahuhuman

=—————————————————————=

English Version

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)

*Waray is the fifth-most-spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas. It is the native language of the Waray people and second language of the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar and some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern parts of Leyte island. It is the third most spoken language among the Visayan languages, only behind Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Written by Karl Gaverza (In the style of a Sugidanon [Epic] of Panay)
Waray translation by Jmee Juanerio
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jmee Juanerio

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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The post Amburukay – Waray Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Waray

Sa una kay yaon ginoo nga si Gamhanan, an pinaka-makusog sa ngatanan nga mga ginoo, an taga-hatag sa kinabuhi, seguridad, ngan pangangabuhian. Nakaistar siya upod an iba nga mga ginoo sa Bukid Daeogdog, sira an nahatag kinabuhi ngan nahatag silot san mga mortal.

Sa urhi kay mahatag si Gamhanan uran ngan grabe nga kahubasan sa mga mortal nga dire masunod sa kanya karuyagon. An mga dire mahatag sin tuhay nga halad sa kanya kuyba nga iristaran kay maaram sa dire maupay nga mahitatabo sa kanra tungod sa ginoo.

Sa una kay mayaon paborito nga binuhi si Gamhanan, and Panigotlo. Natabok ngani sa salog kay mali manla inagi nga hayag. Maupay gud in inga hayop nga bisan sin-o dire magbubuhat sin maraot niya, diri la tungod sa kahadlok kan Gamhanan kundi kahadok liwat sa puyde mahitabo sa kanra nga kadimalasan pinaagi sa kanya haya.

Sa urhi kay mahaya an panigotlo bago an bug-os nga bulan, kay siya an tagadara san kaupayan sap ag ani ngan kayamanan. Maglilipay an mga tawo ngan magtitima para sa kanra pagpasalamat sa dako nga ginoo ngan sa kanya binuhi.

Sa una kay may kalipayan ngan kahayag. Waray dapat ikahadok an panigotlo sa mga katawhan nga ada sa palibot sa Bukid san Daegdog, kay pinaura siya, ngan siya an nakakahibaro kun masuswertehan o kun didimalason an sayo ngatawo.

Sa urhi kay napatay ine nga halangdanon nga hayopan sa sayo nga angangayam nga nagngangaran Dagasanan. An kanya busag nga barahibo kay napuno san dugo. An kanya haya kay dire na makakasugad sa pagkarangya ngan tumong, ngan dire nalat makakasugad kun yaon tiarabot nga baha ngan pagka langiob.

Sa una kay yaon maupay nga ginoo ngan kanya binuhi.

Sa urhi kay ginabaydan san mga mortal an kanra nahimo.

=————————————————————-=

In the beginning, there was the great god Gamhanan, the most powerful of all the gods, the giver of life, security and livelihood. He dwelt with the other gods of his land in Mount Daeogdog, giving life and punishing errant mortals.

In the end, the god Gamhanan would send the rain and drought to those mortals who would defy his will. Those that would not give the proper offerings to his cave dwelling would know the bitter taste of the god’s punishment.

In the beginning, there was the panigotlo, Gamhanan’s favored pet. It dashed across the river like a ray of pure light. So beautiful was this animal that none would dare harm it, not only for fear of Gamhanan’s retribution but also because it could foretell omens with its bleating.

In the end, the panigotlo would have its last bleating before the full moon, being the harbinger of good harvest and fortune. The people of the village would rejoice and prepare for their thanksgiving to the great god and his pet.

In the beginning, there was joy and light. The panigotlo did not have anything to fear from the mortals surrounding Mount Daegdog, for it was favored, and it would foretell favor or misfortune.

In the end, the majestic beast was killed by a lowly hunter named Dagasanan. Its white fur forever stained by blood. Never again would its bleats tell of abundance and purpose, never again would it warn of flood and despair.

In the beginning, there was the great god and his pet.

In the end, the mortals paid their price.

=—————————————————————————-=

*Waray is the fifth-most-spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas. It is the native language of the Waray people and second language of the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar and some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern parts of Leyte island. It is the third most spoken language among the Visayan languages, only behind Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Waray translation by Jmee Juanerio
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jmee Juanerio

Inspired by the Panigotlo description in ‘A Legend of Aklan’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Panigotlo Illustration by Julius Advincula
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The post Panigotlo – Waray Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.