Traditions of the Tinguian

15

Reading edition

“I am going to wash my hair,” said Aponītolau. Not long after he went to the river and washed his hair. As soon as he finished he took a bath and went back home. When he arrived in his house he said, “Aponībolinayen, please comb my hair.” “Take the comb and Page 113go to Indiápan, for I have no time,” answered Aponībolinayen. “If you have no time, give it to me then,” said Aponītolau. Aponībolinayen was angry and went to get it for him. “What is the matter that you cannot go and get it yourself?” As soon as he got it Aponītolau went to Indiápan.

As soon as they arrived in Kadalayapan Aponībolinayen said to Ginalīngan, “What is best for us to do for Aponītolau's finger?” Ginalīngan said, “We cannot do anything. I told Indiápan that Kabkabaga-an loves Aponītolau and even if I make dawak we can do nothing, for Kabkabaga-an is one of the greatest spirits.” Not long after Aponītolau had become a very little man and Ginalīngan stopped making dawak, and she went home to Pindayan. Aponītolau became like a hair. Not long after he disappeared. “You are good, Indiápan, for Aponītolau disappeared in your house.” So they cried together.

When it became morning Aponītolau awoke and he was surprised to see that they were in Kadalayapan. “Why, here is Kadalayapan.” He went outdoors and Aponībolinayen also went outdoors. “Why, there is Aponītolau. I think he has returned from the home of Kabkabaga-an.” Aponībolinayen went to him and was glad to see him, and she took her son Kanag who looked the same as Tabyayen, and they went to play in the yard. Aponībolinayen and Aponītolau did not know that they had gone to play. Not long after Tabyayen cried, for the tears of Kabkabaga-an fell on him and hurt him, so Aponībolinayen went down to the yard and took them up into the house.

(Told by Angtan of Lagangilang.)

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · Kabkabaga-an, who lived up in the air, was looking down, and said, “Indiápan, you have good fortune, for Aponītolau will come and ask you to Note 2 · Not long after Aponībolinayen went back home and Aponītolau was up in the air. He sat below a tree in a wide field, and he looked around the Note 3 · When the baby had become a young boy Kabkabaga-an said, “You can go home now, Aponītolau, for our son Tabyayen is a companion for me.” “If y Note 4 · Not long after Aponītolau said to Aponībolinayen, “We will make balaua and we will invite Kabkabaga-an. I think that is why the boy cried.” Note 5 · “Look out for our children, Līgī, while I wash my hair,” said Ayo. “Yes,” said Līgī. As soon as Ayo reached the spring Līgī went to make a b