Bakunawa

BAKUNAWA

Philippines is rich in different myths and legends.

Like the neighboring countries of the Philippines in Asia, the ancient Filipinos also had the concept of a giant snake or dragon. This is the vaccine. It is described as a giant lizard living in the sea, with wings, a red tongue, and a mouth the size of a lake. The vaccine is associated with the eclipse because it is said to have the ability to swallow the moon.

According to myths, the eclipse is the culprit why the moon is now alone in the sky. It is said that Bathala was created seven times to be a beacon to the world at night. But the vaccine swallowed the six because of their obsession with light. To prevent the eclipse from finally swallowing the rest of the moon, the ancient Filipinos repelled it by creating noise. This is why the ancient Tagalogs called eclipse eclipse. But it does not refer to the simple disappearance or disappearance of the moon. Rather, it describes the actual eating of the lunar eclipse or vaccine of the moon as found in Francisco de San Antonio's notes in Vocabulario Tagalo (1620): "cqinain nang Laho ang bouan," "Inaloua nang Laho ang bouan," and "linamon pala nang Laho ang bouan caya nangamarillim." This is also the description of the ancient Visayans in the eclipse using the vaccine. An example of Alonso de Mentrida's notes on the vocabulary of the Visayans can be found in “the moon.

Because the ancient Filipinos were afraid of the eventual disappearance of light, vaccination served as a source of evil and good: evil because it briefly darkened or threatened to darken the surroundings, and goodness because the light returned after a few moments of its disappearance.

DESCRIPTION

Considered a dragon, or a large sea serpent, Bakunawa is believed to eat the moons causing an eclipse. Vaccination is described as having a mouth the size of a lake, a red tongue, a beard, gills and four wings, a pair of large and gray, while a pair is small.

SIGNS OF BAKUNAWA

In ancient times, the ancient Filipinos believed that Bathala created seven months to illuminate the night. Bakunawa, impressed by the beauty and splendor of the moons, emerged from the ocean to eat the moons, so Bathala became angry, and they became enemies.

To scare the Bakunawa, according to others, Filipinos are making noise to scare it. There are also those who say that Filipinos play soothing music, in full hope that Bakunawa will sleep.

Others also say that Bakunawa has a sister, a turtle. The turtle visits various Philippine islands to lay eggs. But the Filipinos found out that after the turtle rose on the islands, the sea level rose and their islands shrank. As a result, they killed the turtle, which caused Bakunawa to lose his temper. As a result, he was able to eat for months, and when the people asked for help, Bathala suggested a way to get rid of Bakunawa, making noise.

Another legend of Bakunawa was when he allegedly fell in love with a woman of one of the tribes. When the tribal leader found out, he set fire to the house until only ashes were left. Because of this, Bakunawa became angry and tried to eat all the months in return. When he was about to eat the last month, Bathala came out and threw Bakunawa somewhere away from his home. The eclipse is said to be because the vaccine is trying to eat again last month.

IMPORTANCE

The legends of Bakunawa show how the ancient Filipinos interpreted the events around them. Using their creative minds, they were able to come up with an interesting legend that answered their questions.