178 PEOPLES OF THE PHILIPPINES 
The greatest gods of all, those who grew first and had 
a share in shaping the world, are of course fewer; but 
it is significant that these are less often called upon in 
actual worship than the minor class divinities. They 
Fig. 37. Carved Fig- 
ure of a Spirit. Nabaloi. 

seem to be thought of as so remote in 
space or time that their lack of inter- 
est in the fortunes of men counter- 
balances their superior powers. The 
great gods are frequently grouped 
into families, or allotted to different 
layers of the sky, so that they consti- 
tute lineages and aeons. Their names 
show little uniformity, and are gen- 
erally of native origin. But their 
conception possesses a very strong 
Hindu flavor, and it is probable that 
although most of these deities were 
not directly introduced from India, at 
least the attitude which resulted in 
their recognition is due to importa- 
tion. The chief deity of the Tagalog 
was Bathala, which is a native pro- 
nunciation of the Sanskrit word for 
lord, bhattara. The Sambal knew 
their leading divinity as Akasi, the 
Bikol as Gugurang, the Bisaya as 
Dia, Laon, or Sidapa. The origin of 
these names is not known. 
Among the Ilokano and a number of 
the northern tribes that have remained 
pagan the chief deity is Kabunian. 
Other divinities or ancient heroes of godlike qualities 
known to an array of the mountain tribes of Luzon are 
Kabigat; Balitok or “ Gold”; Wigan; Lumawig; and Bugan, 
the most famous heroine of romance, myth, and prayer. 
