104 The Philippine Journal of Science wu 



biinian and brought them the yeast with which to make bubud, or wine 

 from fermented rice; and he taught Tad-6na the method of making it, say- 

 ing: "Place it in jars on the third day," and he returned to the Sky World. 

 On the fifth day he came down again to teach them the manner of making 

 the mum-buni." 



Some version of the above myth is known to the people of 

 every Ifugao clan, although the details of the story vary con- 

 siderably in the different culture areas. The myth is also known 

 to the Igorots and Bontoks, as we have already seen. I have 

 in my possession some twenty different versions that have been 

 collected from various clans of Central, Western, and Kiaiigan 

 Ifugao. These may all be classified into two general types, one 

 of which is represented above.*^ An example of the other type, 

 entitled The Ifugao Flood-Myth, is given later in this paper 

 under the heading Central Ifugao Beliefs. 



The god Wigan is one of the greatest and best known figures 

 in Ifugao mythology. He has three sons, Kabigat, Balituk, and~ 

 Ihik, and one daughter, Bugan. The following story about 

 Ihik is especially interesting because of its resemblance to one 

 of the Bontok myths previously given. 



THE STORY OF IHIK " 



Ihik nak Wigan, in company with his brothers Kabigat and Balituk, 

 went to catch fish in the canal called Amkidul at the base of Mt. Iniide. 

 After catching a supply of fish, they strove to ascend to the summit of 

 the mountain; but, ever as they went up, Ihik kept asking his brothers 

 for water to satiate his devouring thirst. They answered him: "How can 

 we find water at such an elevation? Water is found at the base of the 

 mountains but not at their summits!" But Ihik kept on importuning 

 them. At last, when they were in the middle of their ascent, they came 

 to an enormous rock. Balituk struck the rock with his spear, and 

 instantly there burst forth a large jet of water. 



Ihik desired to drink first but they deterred him, saying: "It is not 

 just that thou shouldst drink first, being the last born of us brothers!" 

 Then Kabigat drank, and afterwards Balituk. Just as Ihik was about to 

 do so, Balituk seized him and shoved the whole of his head under the 

 rock, adding: "Drink! Satiate thyself once for all, and serve henceforth 

 as a tube for others to drink from!" And so it came to pass that Ihik 

 on receiving the water through his mouth sent it forth at the base of 

 his trunk. He said to his brothers: "You are bent on making me take 

 the part of a water-spout! I shall do so, but bear in mind that I shall 



" Ceremonies to the buni, accompanied by prayers and sacrifices. 



*' A version of the same type, but very different in detail, is contained 

 in the unpublished notes of Mr. Roy Franklin Barton. I have also sev- 

 eral others from the same area (Kiangan Ifugao) that were collected by 

 Lieut. Maximo Meimban. 



" For bibliographical reference, see Villaverde, loc. cit. 



J 



