Origin Myths among the Mountain Peoples of the Philippines

Origin of the Ifugaos36

Reading edition

Origin of the Ifugaos36

I

II

The first inhabitants of the Earth World.—Such being the state of affairs, Kabigát went to hunt once again; and, while following the dogs, that were chasing a quarry, he made a thrust with his spear into a spring (or fountain) at the foot of a large tree. Immediately Kabigát returned to Húdog, bringing with him the captured quarry. When he had dressed and eaten the savory game, Kabigát said to his father Wígan that he had seen on the Earth World a spring and very good and beautiful trees for timber with which to make houses, and that accordingly he was desirous of going down to live at such a delightful place. His father answered him that if he so desired he might do so.

Some time after Kabigát had departed, and after he had cut excellent timber wherewith to build a house, Wígan said to his daughter Búgan: “Look, daughter! Thy brother Kabigát is down in Kai-án͠g building a house. I think that it would behoove thee to look after his meals.” Búgan volunteered to descend with such a design. This intention having been carried out, she lodged herself in the upper part of the house, and her brother dwelt in the lower part.

III

IV

V

The peopling of Ifugao land.—Having arrived at Otbóbon, they built a temporary hut on fertile land. Later they constructed a good house, and it was just after it was finished that Búgan gave birth to a healthy boy; and the fowls also procreated.

VI

The god Wígan is one of the greatest and best known figures in Ifugao mythology. He has three sons, Kabigát, Balitúk, and Ihîk, and one daughter, Búgan. The following story about Ihîk is especially interesting because of its resemblance to one of the Bontok myths previously given.

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · Collected by Juan Fernández Villaverde, in 1894, from a celebrated Ifugao priest, Duminón͠g of Kián͠gan. Translated, corrected, and annotate Note 2 · Origin of the mountains.—The first son of Wígan, called Kabigát, went from the sky region Húdog to the Earth World to hunt with dogs. As the Note 3 · In the meantime, Kabigát, reflecting on his solitude and want of company, and, seeing that the domestic chickens, even though related among Note 4 · The bringing of fire to the Earth World.—On the third day, Kabigát requested leave to return, but Muntálog answered: “Wait one day more, unt Note 5 · The journey to Ifugao land from the East.—Upon the return of Muntálog, at the termination of the fourth day, he said to Búgan and Kabigát: “Note 6 · Lin͠gan actually furnished to them the cloth and the seamstress to make the swaddling clothes for the child—and then they continued their jo Note 7 · The child grew a little, but there came to him an unlooked-for sickness. Then Kabigát remembered that Ambúmabbákal had advised them to offer Note 8 · Their parents, Kabigát and Búgan, had a second son, on whom they placed the name Tad-óna, and then another daughter, whom they called Inúke.Note 9 · Establishment of religious ceremonies.—Upon their marriage Tad-óna and Inúke did not offer pigs or fowls to the búni as was customary. This Note 10 · Some version of the above myth is known to the people of every Ifugao clan, although the details of the story vary considerably in the diffe