#visayan legend

[briefbestiary]

Many-eyed nocturnal beasts. They appear to be primarily benevolent, despite the occasional description of soul-thievery.

[mecthology]

Daligmata from Filipino Folklore.

Her eyes can see everything - past, present, and future - and she’s often called upon by shamans (babaylans) to help find lost souls during spiritual rituals.

In ancient times, people believed her eyes could heal illnesses, especially those affecting sight, and she was revered for her ability to bring justice by exposing the truth. With each eye representing a human, Daligmata watched over people, protecting those who honored her and punishing those who acted without respect. A silent yet powerful diwata, she continues to be remembered in Visayan culture.

Her story is a reminder of the deep connections between humans and the spirit world, the importance of foresight, and the role of respect in maintaining balance.

Follow @mecthology for more such stories and legends.

[aeshnalacrymosa]

Pandaguan and the Shark

"Once upon a time, people never died. One day, a fisherman named Pandaguan caught a shark, which died. He became distraught and cried loudly in confusion. The god Kaptan became annoyed by his noises and struck him down with lightning. Pandaguan became the first man to ever die."

I first read this story when I was 6. The art is inspired from Adarna Books' illustrated book of the tale. I first drew it for the Legend prompt of Inktober 2019. Pandaguan's clothes and tattoos are copied from an illustration of tattooed Visayan men on the Boxer Codex .

The Aswang Project has used this art for their article on Pandaguan's wife Lubluban. Check it out!

[howicked]

bbc ghosts but they’re all Creatures™ from Philippine mythology

*the english translation of the filipino terms are boldly formatted

**i’m not an expert on this area, i just loosely describe and relate the characters based on what i know

**blood, guts, gore, and horror in general ahead, the illustrations are also not mine

• Kitty - diwata or boringkantada or a duwende

can’t decide which works best for kitty: a filipino nymph, a beautiful supernatural woman or a playful hobgoblin.

diwata is umbrella term for beautiful goddesses, and the most popular ones are dayang makiling, mariang sinukuan, and maria cacao. i think kitty would be mariang sinukuan— a kind and generous goddess who stopped bringing fruits and harvests to humans when they became unsatisfied and greedy.

a boringkantada is definitely not boring: it possesses beauty both physically and in its voice. when someone is lured by its singing, it instinctively assumes the person is about to rob the treasures it guards and viscously attacks them.

the hobgoblin that loves to play, a duwende has the tendency to be extremely jealous and may either shower gifts to the ones they like and play tricks on the ones they don’t.

*i also see pat as a duwende, and i’ll elaborate that on the next parts.

• Fanny - white lady or a dalikamata

i mean, she’s already a grey lady so this one’s not far-fetched. basically, a white lady is a ghost dressed in a white dress, particularly an urban legend that resides in a Balete tree in Quezon City, Manila. it is also known as the Weeping Woman or the Wronged Woman in other beliefs.

alternatively, i also think she would be a dalikamata— a Visayan goddess with many eyes that can see the past, present and the future. i relate the all-seeing, all-knowing attribute to fanny’s nosy attitude.

• Mary - albularyo

derived from the spanish term herbolario, these folk or witch doctors are either believed to have supernatural abilities to cure illness better than modern medicine or hated for being a pseudoscience and/or a witch. screams mary to me. She knows every herb and ointment, can track the roots of what caused the sickness, but also has the capability to harm those who wronged her. ultimately, she does her best to help others.

• Annie - mangkukulam

rip annie you would’ve loved putting curses on men. she would’ve been a powerful witch. there are many other terms for filipino witches according to respective regions, but we call them mangkukulam in our area. plus, these witches believe that their spells do not work on the innocent, their targets often being thieves and colonizers.

side note: i actually have this oc from a story i once tried to write wherein the albularyo and mangkukulam are girlfriends because of the contradicting capabilities, and the idiots themselves told me mary and annie were gay.

• Pat - nuno sa punso or a duwende

a nuno sa punso is a dwarf goblin that will harm you if you anger it by kicking its house (an anthill) and/or pissing on it. if modern medicine cannot cure you in any way and you have disrespected him, you may need to ask for his forgiveness or seek help from the albularyo. “tabi-tabi po” or “excuse me please” is a phrase you say to show respect to beings like this.

my first reason for nuno!pat was because of his height. but it is also depicted as a tiny, angry grandpa and a protector of the earth— which reminds me of pat.

on the other hand, the duwende is a hobgoblin that likes playing with children because of its natural playful attitude. this one’s not that easily angered unlike the nuno sa punso, but can still hurt those it doesn’t like.

• Captain - kapre

the way i giggled when i thought of cap being a CAPre. kapre cap,,, i feel like the funniest person alive. the photo makes it funnier— just some local kapre with glasses with a tree behind it

a kapre is a cigar-smoking, tree-dweller. traditionally, it presents itself as a hairy, muscular, and tall guardian/protector of the land that can also shapeshift into a beautiful man to invite people to follow them (especially in the woods). hence, it can make you run around in circles as you forget memories of your life.

side note: thomas can also be a kapre because if a kapre likes you, it will follow and protect you from your enemies for life. a former filipino president (emilio aguinaldo) is believed to have outlived his enemies because he had a kapre amulet.

• Humphrey - manananggal or pugot

a manananggal is a self-segmenting vampire. its upper torso has wings that help it fly and hunt humans (particularly pregnant women and their babies), while its lower torso stays behind. there is a belief that you can actually kill it by finding its lower torso and putting salt or crushed garlic in it in order to prevent it from uniting with its upper torso. i’m thinking about this image of humphrey’s head having wings attached behind him, and his tudor outfit already spells out vampire to me.

or if we’re gonna be canon compliant, humphrey is already a version of a pugot— a headless creature from the ifugao. but i’m putting this on a maybe part because there are many versions of the pugot: some believe it is a version of the kapre, some believe it is a shapeshifting ghoul.

• Robin - aswang or sigbin or bungisngis

aswang is a broad, umbrella term for all cannibal shapeshifters. they appear as normal humans by day, and various human-animal hybrids by night.

i also see robin as a sigbin. both are seen as dog-like creatures that eat fresh, bloody, and raw meat. some believe that you can keep a sigbin as a pet that will protect you and even let you hop in on its back— but once you let it starve, it will always be a creature of the night that can eat you and your entire family.

robin would also make a good bungisngis because it is a cannibal one-eyed cyclops. its name directly translates to “one who giggles a lot”, which is why it is known for laughing and playing tricks. ironically, it is dumb enough to be tricked.

• Julian - bakunawa or engkanto

the bakunawa is a dragon serpent notably known for allegedly eating the earth’s seven moons. i’d like to think of that as a parallel to a politician like julian being enamored by the shiny power and wealth.

and because of julian’s charms, he would also be an engkanto— environmental spirits that presents to be good-looking and formerly known as a protector of the people but may also tend to be deceiving (much like of a politician).

• Thomas - tikbalang

this one’s peer-reviewed by a friend so i’m more than confident about thomas being a tikbalang. it appears to be a half-human half-horse creature known to lead travelers astray as they live in the mountains. it is known to be mischievous when it play tricks on humans (a tribute i might also relate to julian or robin), so make sure to wear your shirt inside out or stay quiet while in the woods to not disturb it.

unrelated but fun fact: if it’s raining, we have this belief that a tikbalang is getting married. (this phrase is potentially from the spanish when they believed that a witch is getting married when there’s rain on a sunny day)

[ahgastayverse]

DOKKAEBI, KOREAN GOBLIN

STRAY KIDS “THUNDEROUS” MV THEORY

Dokkaebi are sometimes considered Korean demons or goblins. However, they are also trickster nature spirits with special abilities that allow them to interact with humans. The tricks are largely playful or silly, and sometimes the dokkaebi are also helpful.

Dokkaebi (도깨비) are legendary creatures from korean mythology and folklore.

Dokkaebi, also known as “Korean Goblins”

Dokkaebi are nature deities or spirits possessing extraordinary powers and abilities that are used to interact with humans, at times playing tricks on them and at times helping them.

Legends describe different dokkaebi in many forms, and dokkaebi often wear hanbok.

Dokkaebi are different from ghosts, called Gwisin (귀신) in korean, in that they are not formed by the death of a human being but rather by the spiritual possession of an inanimate object such as old discarded household tools like brooms, or objects stained with human blood.

The physical appearance of the dokkaebi is presented in many different ways and has varied by different time periods but they have always been depicted as fearsome and awe-inspiring.

Different versions of the dokkaebi mythology assign different attributes to them.

Some cases, they are considered harmless but nevertheless mischievous, usually playing pranks on people or challenging wayward travelers to a ssireum (korean wrestling) match for the right to pass.

Dokkaebi are extremely skilled at wrestling and cannot be beaten unless their right side is exploited.

In other tales, dokkaebi only have one leg, so one should hook their leg and push them to win.

Dokkaebi fire is a glimmering light or tall blue flames that herald the appearance of dokkaebi.

Dokkaebi possess magical items, such as the dokkaebi hat called the Dokkaebi Gamtu (도깨비 감투), which grants the wearer the ability of invisibility and the dokkaebi magic club called the Dokkaebi Bangmangi (도깨비 방망이), which can summon things and act functionally as a magic wand.

It is believed that dokkaebi have immense supernatural powers, can bring good harvests, big catches and great fortunes to humans, and are defenders against evil spirits.

Depending on the region's traditional folklore, some traditional practices are held to appeal to dokkaebi to bring good luck to humans and other practices are done to chase away dokkaebi, who are thought to be the causes of bad luck that brings fires and contagious diseases.

Although dokkaebis have no actual form, some people divide them into types.

These are some common types:

Cham Dokkaebi (참도깨비) — A mischievous Dokkaebi.

Gae Dokkaebi (개도깨비) — Evil Dokkaebi.

Gim Seobang Dokkaebi (김서방 도깨비) — A dumb Dokkaebi that looks like a farmer.

Nat Dokkaebi (낮도깨비) — Unlike other Dokkaebi, these appear during the daylight.

Go Dokkaebi (고도깨비) — Dokkaebi known to be good at fighting and handling weapons, especially arrows.

Gaksi Dokkaebi (각시도깨비) and Chonggak Dokkaebi (총각도깨비) — Dokkaebi known to attract humans.

Oenun Dokkaebi (외눈도깨비) — One-eyed dokkaebi that eats a lot.

Oedari Dokkaebi (외다리도깨비) — A one-legged dokkaebi that likes to play ssireum (korean wrestling).

In Japanese folklore, Hitodama (人魂) meaning “Human Soul” are balls of fire that mainly float in the middle of the night.

They are said to be “souls of the dead that have separated from their bodies” which is where their name comes from.

In Philippine folklore and mythology, a Santelmo is a type of fire spirit that mesmerizes humans.

Maximo Ramos describes the Santelmo in his book published in 1990, The Creatures of Midnight.

“Tagalogs, Visayans, and other filipinos call it Santelmo. It is a ball of fire in fields and swamps. It bounces along and rolls away. It changes into a beast with fire in its mouth. Travelers and fishermen follow it at night. They walk and walk till they are tired out then they cannot find their way home. They walk into deep mud and thorny bushes. They get dizzy and become insane. They must reverse their clothes to send it away then they can find their way home.”

The word Santelmo actually comes from “San Telmo” a shortened version of “Apoy ni San Telmo” which refers to St. Elmio fire.

It is a phenomenon that has been witnessed by european sailors for centuries.

St. Elmo’s fire is a mysterious “flame” that often appears atop the masts of ships like streaks of blue light surrounding the pole.

On land, the bright blue flame would appear in canopies or above the trees near rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.

Generations of sailors refer to the flame as “St. Elmo’s fire” which has been passed to Philippine culture as “Santelmo.”

St. Elmo’s fire is closely associated with thunderstorms. It is usually seen atop poles or trees near bodies of water and looks more like an electric phenomenon. on land, it would appear on bell towers during a storm.

On the other hand, the Philippine Santelmo has a distinct behavior and appearance—it looks like a floating orb usually seen in swamps and fields. It also occurs above the water’s surface and would lure fishermen to their deaths.

Wikipedia

[shenxhi]

— PRESENTING LIDAGAT/SHEN!

(She's a Filipino and a her ethnicity is Visayan! )

Info:

Lidagat is the goddess of the Sea in Visyan Mythology,she is the duaghter of Magwayan,known to be the Goddess Of The Sea and Underworld.Not much legends revolves around her except the Visyan version of creation of man kind.

Info about her in LMK universe:

She is a born from sea foam created by her mother Magwayan Goddess Of The Sea And Underworld.Her mother Magwayan is freinds with Mei's great great great 100 times great uncle The Great Dragon Of The Eastern Sea, Since the two are quite close and Lidagat/ Shen's mom is always busy with her godly work, the Great Dragon Of The East Sea decided to trian her. She'd mostly spend time with the Great Dragon Of The Eastern Sea's sea temple/monument and to the point he see's her as a daughter.Lidagat/Shen trains to do combat and tried to control her powers,since she's a young Goddess she still needs to know how to control her powers.She can talk to fishes or any sea creatures,her companions are often Whale Sharks, Dolphins and Sharks .

How she met MK'S team: They met when the team's ship crashed into the ocean where they stumbled on to Mei's great great great 100 times uncle,She was intrigued to see people,since she's always surrounded by dragons and sea creatures she never interacted with a human before.She was shy around Mei and Mei befriended her.And Mei told her about escaping and Lidagat/Shen should join them.But there where cuaght hut eventually Great Sea Dragon of the Eastern Sea agreed to let them leave and even agreed to let Lidagat/Shen to tag along.

Current Time/In the Living Hydrangea comic: still currently doing her trianing with the great sea dragon of the east!—

[arkipelagic]

The legends depicted in Pedro Monteclaro's book Maragtas have long been a part of Visayan folklore and they are a source of fierce pride for many Visayans today. The stories of the ten datus or cheifs [sic] have been told for generations and they are perfectly believable, as far as legends go, if we put aside the modern additions such as obviously phoney "original" manuscripts and the use of precise but utterly uncorroborated dates from the pre-Hispanic era. After all, it is not hard to believe that exiles could have sailed from Borneo to settle in Panay. Why not? Even though there are no ancient documents to show that Sumakwel and his followers actually existed, there is much archaeological and foreign documentary evidence of regular trade and travel at that time between the Philippines and its neighbours.

Nevertheless, the line between the familiar legends of Maragtas and the hard historical facts was blurred by the misguided nationalism of its author and the blatant dishonesty of other writers. The legends surrounding the famous Datu Kalantiaw, however, were not a part the Maragtas saga. The story of Kalantiaw is more alarming because he was never a part of Philippine history or legend; Kalantiaw was an utter hoax.

[siquijorbestof]

Siquijor, Philippines: The Hidden Gem of the Visayas

Nestled in the heart of the Visayan region, Siquijor Philippines is a small island known for its stunning beaches, rich culture, and mystical charm. Often overlooked by tourists in favor of its more famous neighbors, Siquijor is the perfect destination for those seeking a peaceful escape filled with natural beauty and local folklore. Whether you’re a beach lover, adventure seeker, or cultural enthusiast, Siquijor offers something truly unique for every traveler.

The Magic of Siquijor: A Land Steeped in Mysticism

Siquijor isn’t just a place of natural beauty; it is a land deeply woven into Filipino mysticism and folklore. The island has long been associated with witches, healers, and magical traditions. Locals speak of potions, charms, and rituals that are said to cure ailments and protect against evil spirits.

While these legends may intrigue some, it’s important to note that the island’s charm lies in its authenticity. The island’s spiritual essence can be felt in the peacefulness of its rural life and in the warmth of its people. Many visitors are drawn not only to Siquijor’s beauty but to the sense of mystery that surrounds it.

Beaches and Waterfalls: The Natural Wonders of Siquijor

If you’re a beach lover, Siquijor Philippines is the ideal destination. The island is blessed with pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and incredible dive spots. Salagdoong Beach is one of the most famous, with its turquoise waters and cliff-jumping opportunities. It’s a perfect spot for those seeking a thrilling yet relaxing beach day.

For those who prefer a more tranquil beach experience, the shores of San Juan and Paliton Beach offer serene sunsets and unspoiled beauty. Beyond the beaches, Siquijor is also home to stunning waterfalls like Cambugahay Falls. This multi-tiered waterfall is a hidden gem, where visitors can swim in natural pools and zipline over the lush jungle landscape.

Cultural Wonders: A Journey Through Siquijor’s History

Beyond its natural beauty, Siquijor Philippines is rich in history and culture. The island’s colonial past is still evident in its architecture, including the iconic St. Francis of Assisi Church. Located in the heart of Siquijor town, this church dates back to the 18th century and is a perfect example of the Spanish influence on the island.

Another significant cultural experience is the Balete Tree, one of the oldest trees in the Philippines, which locals believe is home to spirits. The nearby Fish Spa, where visitors can dip their feet into a pool full of small fish that nibble at dead skin, adds to the mystique of the location. These experiences offer a glimpse into Siquijor’s long-standing traditions and rich cultural heritage.

Exploring Siquijor: Activities and Adventure for Every Traveler

Adventure seekers will find no shortage of activities on the island. Aside from swimming and relaxing at the beaches, Siquijor offers plenty of hiking opportunities. The Mt. Bandilaan National Park is the highest point on the island and provides breathtaking panoramic views of Siquijor and neighboring islands.

For those interested in water sports, Siquijor is an excellent location for snorkeling and scuba diving. The island's underwater ecosystems are teeming with colorful coral reefs, vibrant fish, and even sea turtles. Paliton Beach, for example, is a popular diving spot known for its rich marine life and clear waters.

How to Get to Siquijor: A Traveler’s Guide

Getting to Siquijor Philippines is relatively simple, despite its somewhat remote location. Visitors can fly into Dumaguete, the nearest major city, and take a ferry to Siquijor. The ferry ride is an experience in itself, offering scenic views of the sea and nearby islands.

Once on the island, getting around is easy thanks to a network of motorbikes, tricycles, and rental cars. It’s best to rent a motorbike if you want to explore the island at your own pace. The locals are friendly and will often offer helpful tips on the best places to visit.

Final Thoughts: Siquijor, A Paradise Waiting to Be Discovered

Siquijor Philippines is a place where nature, culture, and mysticism come together in perfect harmony. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a deeper connection with local traditions, Siquijor offers an experience like no other. It’s a place that’s both enchanting and peaceful, making it the perfect destination for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

[kulay-ng-banaag]

Glazing my art means I have to re-reblog them for this sideblog (sorry, but I'm not taking chances on weirdos using my works to train AI).

As a bonus, I wrote a little more than what I initially had!

(footnotes under cut)

Real ones would notice the changes from the original version. 😂

I originally used the precolonial Philippines design by tloraxin. The tattoos were also all Visayan batuk. It was only later on that I really wanted to reflect what shaped his experiences at the time. Part of that desire is also out of spite for popular fanon.

I've talked about his tattoos before. When I have the time again (haha), I will talk about how and why I dressed him up the way I did.

☼ ☼ ☼

The 2nd panel was also supposed to be a bloodier scene. Specifically, Piri was lying dead in a battlefield, surrounded by arms of fallen warriors and their very bodies. He also should have been bruised and concealing a fatal wound through his chest with his hand. Then he is abruptly stirred up by the giant tortoise to cross the rainbow bridge.

I decided to vaguely place him in the afterlife (however that looks), if only because I already depicted him in the midst of war and violence. Not that it's bad to do it again, but I felt like that was enough visual angst from me! 😂💦

Does the comic, in any way, hint that precolonial Philippines died? I dunno, we have a long way to go before I even bother covering that arc. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I intended for Indo to hold his hand out in that one panel. I hated drawing hands back then (me with feet now). Believe me when I say making pose references and observing where parts go will level up your skill.

☼ ☼ ☼

The last line is so cheesy, even for me, as I look back on it. But it's also an allusion to the challenges in both researching and writing about queer histories.

When I think about that, I cannot help but wonder how people expressed love? How did people define love in the first place? WHAT IS LOVE? BABY DON'T HURT ME!

What more for same-sex love — and by extent, understandings of sexuality, gender, etc.? How were all of these constructed/deconstructed? Transformed/destroyed?

Anyway, I just wanted to draw two queer, brown Southeast Asian men kiss kiss fall in love!

☼ ☼ ☼

This was the original Twitter thread that served as my inspiration. I also attached the respective sources below (in order of the tweets from L to R, top to bottom).

Barton, Roy F., Segundo Aligmayo, Miguel Bacoco, Joseph Biteng, Angel Ayogat, Reynaldo Abad, James Bawayan, et al. “A COLLECTION OF IGOROT LEGENDS: Sagada Social Studies No. 6 (December 1955).” Philippine Sociological Review 22, no. 1/4 (1974): 91–116. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23892245.

Abrigo, Emilia N. "Oriental Mindoro Folktales, An Analysis." Master's thesis, Philippine Women's University, 1971. Quoted in Damiana L. Eugenio, ed. Philippine Folk Literature. Vol. 2, The Myths. Quezon City, Philippines: The University of the Philippines Press, 2018.

Scott, William Henry. Barangay: Sixteenth-Century Philippine Culture and Society. Quezon City, Philippines: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1994.

de Loarca, Miguel. "Relacion de las Yslas Filipinas," in The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803, Volume V., 1582-1583, ed. Emma Helen Blair. Project Gutenberg, 2005. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16501/16501-h/16501-h.htm.

Garvan, John M. The Manóbos of Mindanáo: Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume XXIII, First Memoir. Washington, 1931; Project Gutenberg, 2006. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/18607.

Disclaimer: These myths were sourced from distinct ethnolinguistic groups that do not necessarily share the same pantheon/s, even if deities and the like have similar names and/or attributes. I combined some of them purely for visual choices.

But also, when you're a lot of things, the afterlife may or may not be as much a funky amalgamation as you are.

PURI v. - to praise n. - to hold pride for

IndoPhil comic I (re)drew for Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈 I used some rainbow myth stories from across the Philippine archipelago 🇵🇭 as inspiration for this short comic!

[darkravenclaw]

I am South East Asian and I’m getting tired of people writing away my culture.

I am not sure how many of you know but Disney just released a trailer for the movie “Raya and The Last Dragon” and many people have been taking the moment away from the South-East Asian people (like me) by comparing it to The Last Airbender. Now I’m going to tell you why you should NOT be comparing them.

First, we need to debunk the idea that we can cumulatively call someone “Asian”. That is very much an American concept, a label slapped on our continent to make it easier for them to identify us. However, we have 48/49 countries, with over 1 000 000 languages and cultures. It’s very problematic to pin us down as Asian when we all have distinguishing ethnicities that sets us apart. If anything, certain provinces have similar mythologies, or came from the same previous kingdom, and for that reason it would make more sense if we were identified as North Asia (Siberia), Central Asia (The 'stans), Western Asia (The Middle East or Near East), South Asia (Indian subcontinent), East Asia (Far East), Southeast Asia (East Indies and Indochina). I kind of wish a large number of Americans can see this so they will start calling us by these human geographical groups rather than a continent, and this may dispel the need to compare “Asian” movies.

Now to the comparison of the two movies. The Last Airbender follows East Asian (and some South Asian, New World, Inuit, and Sireniki influences). That is very very different from Raya and The Last Dragon, which completely South-East Asian. Here are some cultural aspects from the trailer:

She uses arnis as a weapon, Arnis is commonly National Martial Arts of the Philippines.

The intro of Disney shows a place in a rock; it represents Sigiriya Rock in Sri Lanka.

When she jumped out of a house, the houses were designed in Thailand's traditional houses.

The Villain's mask is called Barong Mask from Bali, Indonesia.

The Sword of the villain and the sword that Raya pulled are designed from Indonesia's sword.

The wavy sword she's using is a Kris which is a traditional sword in the southern part of the Philippines. So basically her fighting style is Eskrima which is Visayan (central Philippines) but use weapons from Mindanao (southern Philippines)

The whole thing might be inspired by Princess Urduja, the Filipino warrior princess.

The Sea Dragon is from Phillipines and it’s called Bakunawa.

Raya's clothes are Vietnamese traditional clothing.

Her animal that she rides is Khmer name, Thuk Thuk. When u have came to cambodia for 5 years ago and you want to go somewhere, you have to call "Thuk Thuk" and they will ride you anywhere you wanna go.

Theory about the tribes;

the yellow tribe is Indonesian or Malaysian

the purple tribe is Philippine or Malaysian

the green tribe is maybe Thai because of the Elephants or Cambodian because of the advance weaponry

the white tribe is Thai because of the Dholes, clothes, and the sword

Please do not take this moment away from us- South-East Asian culture and mythology has always been written away in South Asian and East Asian dominant movies. Our culture was put into the Legend of Korra and was written off as East Asian and due to this misinformation of cultures, we are now compared to some show that has never represented us. Please stop it. Let us have our moment- though our cultures are mashed together for this South-East Asian adaptation, it retains alot of our key aspects. 

South-East Asians are not South Asians or East Asians or Central Asians. We are our own. Let us have that. For once in Hollywood, “Asian rep” is not a Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Indian.

[lucky-roll-ttrpgs]

Isles of Bathala: The Aghoy

The Aghoy are small human-like creatures that tend to live in the branches of trees. They tend to have fair skin and vary in the amount of eyes that they have, usually some number between one (1) and three (3). They are considered a cousin to the elves. While they wear clothing made from the surrounding plantlife, they absolutely hate having their feet covered.

When travelers take or damage the trees they call home, the Aghoy will curse them, causing rashes to appear all around the body. In order to remove the curse, you must bring a present to the Aghoy and ask for forgiveness.

Despite this, the Aghoy are always looking for kind and honest people to make friends with. All Aghoy have been blessed with power from the Divinity Anagolay, the goddess of lost things. When they see someone they want to be friends with, they can sense if they have lost something important. Then, they are able to transport the item into their hand to give as a gift to their potential friend.

They also like to play small pranks, such as moving things around when you aren't looking or changing what position you are sleeping in.

The Real Life Inspiration

Much of the description is lifted directly from what I have read of the Aghoy, which is how the East Visayans refer to these small elves. They are described as short, pale-skinned, yellow hair, and bare foot. Most of what I read describes their kindness and search for friends by finding the items that their friends have lost.

The lost item is considered a test in some of the writings. If the recipient of the present acknowledges it was an important item they lost and thank the Aghoy, the person has passed the test of honesty and are rewarded. One item that has come up multiple times that the Aghoy have is magic purse of seemingly infinite gold.

They are also pranksters. They like to live near villages and change the sleeping positions of the people in those villages.

As for when they feel their home is being trespassed, they throw dust into the eyes of the encroachers. This also results in the trespassers developing rashes and twisted lips. This may be remedied by a healer going to the tree of the Aghoy with a gift of rice, asking for forgiveness.

Links

https://www.aswangproject.com/creatures-mythical-beings-philippine-folklore-mythology/

https://mythmuseum.weebly.com/aghoy.html

https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-lifestyle/2015/10/30/1516860/creatures-filipino-myths-and-legends

https://mythus.fandom.com/wiki/Aghoy#:~:text=In%20Philippine%20Mythology%2C%20the%20Aghoy%20are%20small%20humanoids,enter%20a%20friend%E2%80%99s%20house%20if%20they%20are%20invited.

https://www.aswangproject.com/the-elves-of-philippine-folklore/

[hoshianaarts]

FINALLY! I'M BACK!

I was inactive for about 2 months due to the tons of projects and assignments that I needed to comply with and, most of all, the Typhoon Odette (Typhoon Rai) and our electricity and internet have fully restored earlier this month.

So here are the character designs of my upcoming comic "Ang Timbangan Sa Daragangan" ("The Scale of A Hero"), formally known as "The Legend of Bolo". Most of these designs are created when we had no electricity and internet, so it was quite challenging. 

UPDATES OF MY UPCOMING COMIC:

1.) I was able to finish the first draft of my comic, so I now proceed to Scriptwriting, which serves as my second draft.

2.) I changed the title from "The Legend of Bolo" to "Ang Timbangan Sa Daragangan" because it fits the theme of my story.

3.) I'm currently doing note-taking of the different cultures, customs, beliefs, and social classes of the Pre-Colonial Visayas as well as the different gods and goddesses in Visayan Mythology. 

Drawn using fingers on my iPad mini through iBisPaint X App.

[legend-collection]

Manananggal

The Manananggal is hideous, scary, (usually) female, and it is also capable of severing its upper torso and sprouting huge bat-like wings to fly into the night in search of its victims. The name comes from the Tagalog word tanggal (cognate of Malay tanggal), which means "to remove" or "to separate", which literally translates as "remover" or "separator". In this case, "one who separates itself". The name also originates from an expression used for a severed torso.

It is said that they mostly prey on sleeping, pregnant women, using an elongated proboscis-like tongue to suck the hearts of fetuses, or the blood of someone who is sleeping. The severed lower torso is left standing, and it is said to be the more vulnerable of the two halves. Sprinkling salt or smearing crushed garlic or ash on top of the standing torso is fatal to the creature. The upper torso then would not be able to rejoin itself and will die by sunrise. It is known to hide in volcanic caves by day.

The Manananggal shares some features with the vampire of balkan folklore, such as its dislike of garlic, and vulnerability to sunlight.

The legend of the Manananggal is popular in the Visayan region of the Philippines, especially in the western provinces of Capiz, Iloilo, and Antique. There are varying accounts of the features of a Manananggal. Like vampires, Visayan folklore creatures, and aswangs, Manananggals are also said to abhor garlic and salt. They were also known to avoid daggers, light, vinegar, spices and the tail of a stingray, which can be fashioned as a whip. Folklore of similar creatures can be found in the neighboring nations of Indonesia and Malaysia. The province of Capiz is the subject or focus of many Manananggal stories, as with the stories of other types of mythical creatures, such as ghosts, goblins, ghouls and aswangs. Sightings are purported here, and certain local folk are said to believe in their existence despite modernization.

Pic by bobbybarredo on DeviantArt

[bestiarium]

Thank you so much, I learn a lot of mystical creatures because of you, anyway do you know any Filipino mystical creatures I would really appreciate it

Thank you!

There are actually a lot of myths from the Philippines about strange creatures and spirits that dwell in the deep forests. The Tikbalang is one of the better known ones: it's an evil creature associated with horses. In modern images, it's sometimes depicted as a monstrous horse, and sometimes as a humanoid creatures with horse-like features such as a horse head, tail or hooves. In folktales, it usually takes the form of a humanoid with a horse head and (often) very long arms. Note that this creature was originally a kind of forest ghost or tree spirit, and it wasn't associated with horses (horses aren't native to the Philippines after all) until horses were introduced by colonists and settlers.

There is also the Aswang: a ghoul-like undead monster that eats corpses and people. They can supposedly shape-shift into large, black dogs. In modern times, they are often associated with vampires. In some (I think modern?) tales, they are said to kill pregnant women to feast on their unborn babies.

Rupert Gould, a 20th century author who was fascinated by cryptozoology and supposed paranormal sightings, also wrote about a creature called the Berbalang: vaguely humanoid monsters with cat-like eyes and bat-like wings. They can enter a sort of trance which lets their spirit roam free. The spirit can then enter a human body and devour its organs, killing the victim on the spot. It is said that these monsters can be warded off with coconut pearls (those do not actually exist, but in the 20th century there was an urban legend or hoax where people claimed that coconuts could produce rare and precious pearls, much like oysters).

I also have a handful of posts about creatures from the Philippines:

There is the Batibat (evil tree spirits): https://bestiarium.tumblr.com/post/661847418072072192/the-batibat-filippino-mythology-ilocano

The Amalanhig (undead monsters from Visayan folktales):https://bestiarium.tumblr.com/post/662935381007876096/the-amalanhig-philippine-mythology-in-philippine

The Tiyanak (fiends that take the form of infants):https://bestiarium.tumblr.com/post/657689570363703296/the-tiyanak-philippine-mythology-should-you-ever

And the Manananggal: https://bestiarium.tumblr.com/post/667740779580702720/the-manananggal-philippine-mythology-the

[is-there-a-filipino-legend-yet]

Craig of the Creek got Filipino rep before we got a Filipino Legend

Hell yeah! I rarely see Visayan rep when it comes to Filipinos being depicted in international media

[scarletarosa]

World Religion Resources (Part 6)

Aztec, Mayan, and Incan:

Aztec Religion

Aztec Hymns

Mythology

Mayan Texts

Inca Myths

Aztec Gods

Aztec Folklore and Magic

Aztec Creation Myth

Aztec Gods and Mythology

Quetzalcoatl

The Myths and Worship of Quetzalcoatl

Coatlicue 

Xochiquetzal

Itzpapalotl

List of Major Mayan Deities

Mayan Symbols and Meanings

Inca Gods

Inca Deities

Native American:

Native American Culture

Mythology

Myths and Legends

Mythology

Trickster Tales

Chinook Legends and Myths

Cherokee Myths

Navajo Myths and Prayers

Myths of the Plains Tribes

Hopi Myths

Angwusnasomtaka, the Crow Mother

Gendenwitha

Deity List

Native American Spirituality (Video)

Australian Aboriginal:

Aboriginal Religion

The Dreamtime

Mythology

Mythology and Traditions

Wandjina 

Filipino:

Philippine Deities

Ancient Visayan Deities

Filipino Deities

Myths and Folklore

Mythology

Mythology and Folklore

Compendium of Filipino Folklore Creatures

Maori:

Maori Gods and Beliefs

Maori Deities

Creation Myth

How Maui Brought Fire to the World

The Unseen

Whaitere, the Enchanted Stingray

Kawariki and the Shark Man

Hawaiian:

Hawaiian Religion

Creation Myth

Deities

Goddesses

Mythology

Book on Hawaiian Mythology

Pele Myths

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5