*Note this story is in Tandaganon
“Nay, pwede bakaw magsugilanon kanak?.Dili sagud ako katurog”.
” Sige, dali, ngadto kita sa imo higdaanan nak”.
“Gihisgut ko na ba sa imo ang mahitungod sa mga angheles ni Sitti Maryam?”.
” Wara pa raba nay”.
“Na hala, tul-id, tarong paminaw”.
” Sa dihang nanamkon pa si Sitti Maryam siang usa ka bantugang propeta, si Nabi’ Isa, wara gayud siya gibiyaan sa Dios. Gipadaa’ kanaan (Dios) ang iyang sitenta’y syete ka mga angheles nga mga bubay aron magproteksyon siang bata gikan sa kadaot. Ug si Tawan Putli amoy yanguluhan sa mga angheles. Madayaw kanaan itsura ug may mga badihi na mga pako. Siya lamang ang bugtong makaistprya kang Sitti Maryam unoy pagabuhaton sa mga angheles.
Iya pagamandaran ang sitenta (70) ka mga angheles na mubiya sa ikapito na adlaw human gipakatawo si Nabi’ Isa. Yagpabilin siya ug ang yabilin na unom ka angheles sulod sa kwarentay kwatro (44) dias usa pa yasaka sa langit. Buotan ug kalamado kaayo nga anghel si Tawan Putli ug sigeg natay sa bata para masiguro ang kaluwasan niini.
Yangadto ang mga angheles ug si Sitti Maryam sa mingaw na isla ug arangi katalagman ang gapalibot sa ilaha gikan sa mga ihas na mamang ngadto sa mga daotan na yagpuyo sa mga kahoy ug kabatohan. Ginaprotektahan sila (Sitti Maryam ug ang bata) sa mga angheles pinaagi sa grasya ug kahayag. Gibuhatan nila siya ug kadang ug amoy yaggiya sa kahayag na yaon sa ila.
Sa miabot na ang ika kwarentay kwarto na adlaw, giistoryahan ni Tawan Putli si Sitti Maryam na mobiya na sya ug ang mga anghel. Subo nga nanabiya sila sa bata ug sa iyang inahan pero yakasayod sila na ngahi da gayud taman ilaha trabaho. Ug nanagtamak isa isa ang mga anghel sa bangaw nga amoy mugiya padung langit.
Yabilin si Sitti Maryam ug ang bata ug nabinlan sila ug kaalam na may badihi pa nga plano ang Diyos kaniran nga muabutay pa.
Busa gikugos ni Sitti Maryam ang bata ug iyang nakita ang kaugmaon nilang duha. Ug ni ampo siyag hilom sa sitentay syete (77) ka mga angheles na yatabang sa iya bisan sa kalisod na panahon uc lahi kaayo ang iyang pag ampo kang Tawan Putli. Ug yakahibawo siya sa iyang (Sitti Maryam)kasing kasing sa mga kasing kasing na yagbantay ang mga anghel sa iya sukad yadtong gibantayan siya.”
“…………………………………………”
“Katurog na akong gamay na anghel; may ato pa adlaw silom”
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English Version
“Mama, tell me a story. I can’t sleep.”
“Alright, let me take you to bed now, child.
Have I ever told you the story of Sitti Maryam’s* angels?”
“Not yet, mama.”
“Well listen closely,
When Sitti Maryam was left alone in the wilderness to raise the great prophet Nabi’ Isa, God did not leave her alone. He sent 77 female angels to help keep the child out of danger, and their leader was none other than Tuwan Putli’. She was a beautiful angel with great wings. She was also the only one who spoke to Sitti Maryam to tell what the angels would do.
She bade 70 angels to leave the seventh day after Nabi’ Isa was born and she and six other angels stayed for 44 more days before ascending into heaven. Tuwan Putli’ was kind and gentle, and would always seek to make sure the baby was unharmed.
The angels and Sitti Maryam were in the wilderness of the island and there were many dangers lurking around, from wild animals to the saytan living in the trees and rocks. The angels protected their charge with grace and light. They made him a cradle and guided the light towards them.
On the forty fourth day, Tuwan Putli’ told Sitti Maryam that the angels had to go. All seven angels gave a sad farewell to the baby and his mother, but they knew that their work was done. Each angel stepped onto a rainbow that guided them to heaven.
Sitti Maryam was left with her baby and also with the wisdom that God had a greater plan for her that was still to come.
She cradled her child in her arms and saw a future for them. She said a silent prayer to all the 77 angels that helped her through her darkest times and she said a special one for Tuwan Putli’. Sitti Maryam knew in her heart of hearts that the angels would be watching over her from that day on.”
“………………..”
“Sleep well my little angel. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”
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*Sitti Maryam and Nabi’ Isa are the Tausug names for Mama Mary and Jesus Christ
*Tandaganon (also called Tinandag, Naturalis, Tagon-on) is a closely related variety of Surigaonon spoken in the central Surigao del Sur municipalities of Tandag City, San Miguel, Tago, Bayabas, Cagwait, Marihatag, San Agustin, and most of Lianga. It can be classified as a separate language or alternatively as a southern variety of Surigaonon. There are about 100,000 speakers.
Written by Karl Gaverza
Tandaganon Translation by Jasser
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jasser
Inspired by “Sitti Maryam. Lady Mary.” in Voices from Sulu A Collection of Tausug Oral Traditions. Rixhon. 2010. and Aida Gaverza
Tuwan Putli’ Illustration by emirajuju
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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