CHAPTER XXVIII 



MYTHOLOGICAL AND KINDRED BELIEFS 

 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD 



The story of the creation of the world varies throughout the Agiisan Valley. In the district 

 surrounding Talakogon creation is attributed to Makalidung, the first great Manobo. The 

 details of his work are very meager. He set the world up on posts, some say iron posts, with 

 one in the center. At this central post he has his abode, in company with a python, according 

 to the version of some, and whenever he feels displeasure toward men he shakes the post, thereby 

 producing an earthquake and at the same time intimating to man his anger. It is believed that 

 should the trembling continue the world would be destroyed. 



In the same district it is believed that the sky is round and that its extremities are at the 

 limits of the sea. Somewhere near these limits is an enormous hole called " the navel of the sea," l 

 through which the waters descend and ascend. This explains the rise and the fall of the tide. 



It is said that in the early days of creation the sky was low, but that one day a woman, while 

 pounding rice, hit it with her pestle, and it ascended to its present position. 



Another version of the creation, prevalent among the Manobos of the Argawan and Hibung 

 Rivers, gives the control of the world to Ddgau, who lives at the four fundamental pillars in the 

 company of a python. Being a woman, she dislikes the sight of human blood, and when it is 

 spilled upon the face of the earth she incites the huge serpent to wreathe itself around the pillars 

 and shake the world to its foundations. Should she become exceedingly angry she diminishes 

 the supply of rice either by removing it from the granary or by making the soil unproductive. 



According to another variation of the story, which is heard on the upper Agiisan, on the 

 Simulau, and on the Umaiam, the world is like a huge mushroom and it is supported upon an iron 

 pillar in the center. This pillar is controlled by the higher and more powerful order of deities 

 who, on becoming angered at the actions of men, manifest their feelings by shaking the pillar, 

 thereby reminding mortals of their duties. 



CELESTIAL PHENOMENA 



THE RAINBOW 



The rainbow, according to the general account, is an inexplicable manifestation of the gods of 

 war. At one end of the rainbow there is thought to be a huge tortoise, one fathom broad. The 

 appearance of the rainbow is an indication that the gods of war, with their associate war chiefs 

 and warriors from the land of death, have gone forth in search of blood. If red predominates 

 among the colors of the rainbow it is thought that the mightier war spirits are engaged in hand-to- 

 hand combat; but if the colors are dark, it is a sign of slaughter. If the rainbow should seem to 

 approach, precautions are taken to defend the house against attack, as it is believed that a real 

 war party is approaching. 



On no account must the finger be pointed at the rainbow, as it might become curved. 



THUNDER AND LIGHTNING 



Thunder is a demonstration by Anit of her anger towards men for disrespect to brute animals. 

 Lightning is spoken of as her tongue and is described as being a reddish tongue-shaped stone 

 that is flung by her at the guilty one. Anit is one of the mighty spirits that dwell in Inugtuhan, 

 the sky world, and together with Inaiyau is the wielder of the thunderbolt and of the storm. 



1 P6-md to ii-gat. 

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