Embedded Files
The title of this essay was inspired by an entry in Ferdinand Blumentritt’s book, Diccionario Mitológico de Filipinas (Dictionary of Philippine Mythology). Do not be turned off by the word “dictionary.” It is not strictly so, and it has many other items like maps and photographs that are worth exploring.
The book is an anthropological work that catalogues the concepts of old, “precolonial,” Philippine beliefs. The word “precolonial” sits within quotation marks, because, as the manuscript implies, such customs continued to be practiced throughout the Spanish colonial times and probably long after.
Why should you give this book a read?
Read it to get to know the Philippines from the perspective of someone who lived at a different time. The book also lends a strange, yet powerful vibe, of the late 19th Century Philippine societies—especially, when you read it in Spanish. 19th Century Philippines can be mainly perceived as a time of revolution and sociopolitical upheaval: no doubt a significant historical moment, yet now prone to being overused. None of such national struggles manifest in Blumentritt’s book. It is pure anthropological work that shows, as in reminds, that the Philippines, like any other nation, is more than suffering, revolution, and foreign annexation.
I do not want to spoil you that much about the contents of the manuscript. Hence, I will just mention samplers of what you might encounter. Number one.
Bengat. The Tirurayes (Island of Mindanao) named Bengat a spell or curse that is placed on plantations of sweet potato, corn, etc., so that he who steals it bursts upon eating it.
We can dwell a bit on how funny—and in some ways scary—that magical spell is from the viewpoint of people from other centuries.
Here is another, and it’s where the title of this book recommendation comes from.
In the peninsula, there are savage Malay tribes, different form the Malays of the coast. One of the tribes is called Orang-benuwa (men of the land, aborigines), and these savages believe that in the sea, where the sun sets, there is an island called Palau-buwah (Fruit island) where the souls of the dead who died of natural causes dwell. The souls who had a violent death go to Tamahmerah (Red region), a sad place. It is surprising that the souls of those who were assassinated enter a place which is a sort of Hell, while the souls of the assassins go to Heaven.
What do you make of that?
In the spirit of non-intrusion, suspension of judgment, and avoidance of committing the fallacy of presentism, I leave you to make your own conclusions.
The book has plenty of intriguing concepts like that, arranged in alphabetical order, in the convention of dictionaries, which invites you to embark on further research—perhaps for academic or creative purposes like writing a novel or screenplay for film and video games.
I will leave you one last entry about a certain tribute offered to the gods of the Bagobos.
According to Datu Tongkaling, a sacrifice should be held each year following the appearance in the sky of a constellation of seven stars known as Balatik to remind them that they should offer a slave to Mandarangan, Darago, and Balakat. The victim is tied with his back to the tree, his arms stretched high above his head. Meanwhile, a little table or altar is constructed nearby, and on it the principals place their offerings of betel nut, clothes, or weapons, and on top of all is a dish of white food for Eugpamolak Manobo. When all is ready one of the mangani begins a prayer, begging the spirits to look and see that the people are following the old custom, to give them success in battle, and to protect their homes from sickness and enemies. The prayer being completed, the datu places his spear below and just in front of the right armpit; then all those who have purchased a share in the victim take hold of the weapon, and at a signal given by the datu, thrust it through the body. As soon as it is withdrawn, the magani who has offered the greatest price for the privilege attempts to cut the body in two with one blow of his fighting knife.
An image from the book pertaining to the quoted passage.
There you go. Go through the pages of Ferdinand Blumentritt’s Diccionario Mitológico de Filipinas to discover more about “ancient” Philippine culture.
Thanks to High Banks Entertainment LTD and the Aswang Project for putting the book together. You can find them on the Aswang Project website.
I believe there is also a Vibal Foundation version of this manuscript from Philippine Books.
Happy reading!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse