Note 64 — The Ifugao Flood-myth60

Having provided for the comfort of his sister, Wígan started out to find if there were not other people left alive in the Earth World. He traveled about all the day and returned to the house at night to sleep. He did this for three days, and then as he was coming back on the third evening he said to himself that there were no other people in the world but themselves, and if the world was to be repopulated it must be through them. * * * At last Búgan realized that she was pregnant. She burst into violent weeping, and, heaping reproaches on his head, ran blindly away toward the East, following the course of the river. After traveling a long way, and being overcome with grief and fatigue, Búgan sank down upon the bank of the river and lay there trembling and sobbing.64 After having quieted herself somewhat, she arose and looked around her, and what was her surprise to see sitting on a rock near her an old man with a long white beard! He approached her and said: “Do not be afraid, daughter! I am Maknón͠gan, and I am aware of your trouble, and I have come to tell you that it is all right!” While he was speaking, Wígan, who had followed his sister, appeared on the scene. Then Maknón͠gan placed the sanction and blessing of the gods upon their marriage, assuring them that they had done right, and that through them the world must be repeopled. He told them to return to their house, and whenever they were in trouble to offer sacrifices to the gods. After Búgan had become convinced in this manner, they left Maknón͠gan and returned home.