|
|
|
|
|
Philippine MythologyPhilippine Mythology, branch of Philippine Psychology, collection of tales about magical figures. Most Filipinos, even though heavily Westernized and Christianized, still believe in such figures. Sightings have been reported, although often left unconfirmed. The prevalence of belief in the figures of Philippine Mythology is strong, especially in the provinces. Aswang The Aswang, analogous to the European werewolf, is the most known of such mythological figures. Aswangs take the form of a human or animal in the day (they usually take the from of a bat), and a werewolf, in the night Aswangs appear during the full moon of the midnight, to prey upon unwary, sleeping people. Dila The Dila is a tongue of a spirit. Dilas pass through the bamboo flooring of provincial houses, then it licks certain people to death. Diwatas and Engkantos Diwatas, or fairies, are said to reside in large trees, such as acacia and balete. They are the guardian sprits of nature, brigning blessing or curses upon those who bring benefits or harm to the forests and mountains. One such famous Diwata is Maria Makiling, guardian of the Mount Makiling in Laguna province. Engkantos (sometimes spelles as Encantos), or male fairies, reside primarily in the sea. It is a customary way for Filipino fishermen to offer meat and other delicacies to the engkanto by throwing it onto the sea, after a day of bountiful harvest. Dwende Dwende is the Spanish term for dwarf. Dwendes frequently live in houses or in trees in rural areas. They are known to be either blessing or mischievous, depending on your treatment of them. Filipinos usually leave food on the floor (as Americans do for Santa Claus), and it is done, so that the dwende residing (or as they say, guarding) the house would not be offended but instead give them blessings. Kapre The Kapre, which is a tall and dark giant, are known to inhabit forests. Kapres tend to smoke tobacco leaves, that is why Filipinos living in rural areas are very sensitive about tobacco smell. Manananggal A Manananggal is a sorcerer who has the power to divide his body into two. His head and chest is the one which roams the country, and eats bedridden and sick persons. It is said by the Filipinos, that the lower half of the Mananaggal's body should be put with ashes, so as to prevent the head from coming back, and to ultimately destroy it. Mangkukulam The Mangkukulam is a witch. In the Visayan provinces, it is known as Mambabarang. For more details, please see the Kulam article. Matruculan The Matruculan is the one who comes into a virgin's house and impregnates her. Another version of the Matruculan is that it kills the mother and opens her abdomen and eats the fetus inside. It is countered by the husband, who, when it is time for the woman to labor, slashes the air with his ax, or balisong. The belief in Matruculan is now not as widespread as it is in the Spanish days. Multo Multo, the Tagalog word for ghost, comes from the Spanish word 'muerto', which means death. Filipinos believe that some kind of multo, often a spirit of their former kin regularly visits them. Born Again Christian Filipinos regard the multo as evil spirits, while the Catholic Filipinos do regard them as true. The Tagalog word for being visited by a multo is 'minumulto', or 'dinadalaw'. Nuno sa Punso The Nuno sa Punso inhabits humps in the ground. That is why Filipinos, when passing through a hump in the sidewalk, do say 'makikiraan lang po' (excuse me), as not to offend the nuno. Putol na Kamay Putol na Kamay are usually seen in mailboxes or cupboards in the provincial homes. Santelmo Santelmo, or Santo Elmo, is a fireball. It was seen by dozens of Filipinos, especially those living in the Sierra Madre Moutains. It was scientifically explained as electric fields which have diverged from the lines. However, the sightings were reported since the Spanish era (1500s-1800s). Sirena and Siyokoy The Sirena is a mermaid. Sirenas are reportedly often seen ashore by fishermen, especially in the towns bordering the Pacific Ocean. The Siyokoy is the male counterpart of the Sirena. The Siyokoy has gill slits, and is colored brown. It has a scaly skin, comparable to those of the fishes'. Tigbalang The Tigbalang is half-horse and half-man. Its head is the horse part, and its body is of human form. Tiyanak The Tiyanak is the offspring of a woman and a demon, as said by the Filipinos. The Tiyanak can also be the aborted fetus of the mother, and then comes to life to bring mischief and hardships to the woman. It is characterized as having red skin and no hair, with glowing eyes.
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|