PHILIPPINE CREATION MYTH: Mindanao-Bagobo

philippine creation myth mindanao bagobo
PHILIPPINE CREATION MYTH: Mindanao-Bagobo | @museumxst0ries

PHILIPPINE CREATION MYTH: Mindanao-Bagobo

In the beginning, Diwata created the sea and the land and planted many kinds of trees. He took two lumps of earth, shaped these as humans, and finally spit on them, bringing to life a man and woman. He called the man Tuglay, and the woman Tuglbung. The two married and lived together in a great house that Tuglay made, growing the seeds that Diwata gave them.

Diwata made the sun, moon, stars, and rivers. He then made the kasili or great eel- similar to a snake in the river- wounding it around the world, and the kayumang or great crab- placing them near each other. The eel wiggles when the crab pinches it, producing an earthquake. Diwata throws water from the sky to cause rain, and spits for showers to fall. Rainbows are from clouds yellowed by the sun. White clouds, on the other hand, are smoke from the fires made by the gods.

You may want to read: