*Note this story is in Waray
“Nay, taga-i ako hit istorya. Diri ako makaturog.”
“Sigi, dad-on ta anay ikaw ha imo higdaan.”
“Nasiring ko na ba ha imo an istorya tungod han mga anghel ni Sitti Maryam?”
“Waray pa.”
“Pamati han upay.”
“Han lumakat nga magusaan hi Sitti Maryam ha kagurangan para i-abot hi propeta Nabi’ Isa, waray hiya pabay-i han Ginoo. Nagpadara an Ginoo han setenta y siete nga babaye nga anghel para diri mapeligro an iya bata. An lider han mga anghel kay an darayawon nga hi Tuwan Putli’. Mahusay hiya nga anghel nga may-ada dako nga mga pako. Hiya lat an naguusaan ng anghel nga nakakaistorya ni Sitti Maryam para suguon kun ano an bubuhaton han uban nga mga anghel.
Gin sugoan niya an sitenta nga angel nga lumakat pagkahuman maianak hi Nabi’ Isa. Nagpuyo hi Sitti Maryam ngan an unom nga anghel hin kwarenta y kwatro nga adlaw bag’o sumaka ha langit. Buotan ngan maaghopon hi Tuwan Putli, iya lat pirmi ginsisuguro nga maupay an kabutangan han bata.
An mga anghel ngan hi Sitti Maryam kay aadto ha kagurangan han isla, pero damo han mga peligro ha kalibutan. Tikang han mga magbangis nga hayop pakadto ha saytan nga naukoy ha mga puno ngan bato. Gi-protektahan hira han mga anghel han ira pawa ngan grasya. Gin himuan nira hiya han duyan ngan giniyahan hiya han kapawa pakadto ha ira.
Han ika-upat nga adlaw, gisigngan ni Tuwan Putli’ hi Sitti Maryam nga kinahangalan na lumakat han mga anghel. Sanglit, nanarit hira paglakaw ha bata ngan an iya iroy, maaram hira nga tapos na an ira buruhaton. Sugad pa man, tig usa hira nga tumamak ha balangaw pakadto ha langit.
Nabayaan hi Sitti Maryam ngan an iya anak kauban han kaaraman nga mayda mas dako nga plano an Ginoo para ha ira.
Gikugos niya an iya bata ha iya mga kamot ngan nahunaan nga may-ada paglaom ha ira nga duha. Nagyakan hiya han mahilom nga pangadi ha setenta y siete nga anghel tungod kay ginbuligan hiya hit iya pinakamakuri nga takna, katapos iya gintagaan han mas espesyal nga pangadi hi Tuwan Putli’. Maaram hi Sitti Maryam kutob ha pinakadapit han iya kasing-kasing nga ginbabantayan hiya nira tikang hadto.
“……………”
“Katurog na akon anghel. Halaba pa an aton adlaw buwas.”
=—————————-=
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 she was left 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.”
=——————————–=
*Sitti Maryam and Nabi’ Isa are the Tausug names for Mama Mary and Jesus Christ
*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 Xavier Navarro
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Xavier Navarro
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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