The Story of Ihîk49
Reading edition
The Story of Ihîk49
Ihîk nak Wígan, in company with his brothers Kabigát and Balitúk, went to catch fish in the canal called Amkídul at the base of Mt. Inúde. After catching a supply of fish, they strove to ascend to the summit of the mountain; but, ever as they went up, Ihîk 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 Ihîk kept on importuning them. At last, when they were in the middle of their ascent, they came to an enormous rock. Balitúk struck the rock with his spear, and instantly there burst forth a large jet of water.
Ihîk 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 Kabigát drank, and afterwards Balitúk. Just as Ihîk was about to do so, Balitúk 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 Ihîk 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 also take just vengeance on your descendants for this injury.” In view of this threat, Kabigát and Balitúk did not dare to make use of the improvised fountain, and so they returned home.
This myth, which is very long, then relates how certain of the great deities befriended Ihîk by setting him free and assisting him in obtaining vengeance on his brothers and their descendants.
As a final example of Kián͠gan Ifugao mythology, I give the following story which is one of the best specimens of Ifugao literature.