The Quest

Situated in a far-flung area where forests of greeneries surround the vicinity, the missing of calves raised fear among residents of a certain village somewhere in Banaue, Ifugao. Apparently, it was caused by a gigantic snake devouring those poor water buffalo babies.

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In the olden days, there's huge lack in medical knowledge on primitive areas. People only rely on herbal medicines and on village shaman or traditional healer for treatment when they're sick.

There was this man who learned the news about this snake-eating-calves in a far away village. He, too was a native of our village - one of our ancestors. Unfortunately, he was suffering from gut problems that when it worsens would cause unbearable pain.

It was believed that snake's gall bladder(bile) can cure his condition. The man however was at his wits end that he thoroughly sharpened his machete until it glistened.

He called one of his friends to accompany him in the journey and prepare for the 13-17 mile walk. Thus, they journeyed on by foot.

When they arrived at the said locality, they made queries of the whereabouts of the snake.

As usual, the mountaintops were the place where carabaos are left to roam freely and graze after the farming season.

After being welcomed by the villagers hospitality, they rested. Getting enough of what they need to know, the two men were warned that this snake is a giant one which can devour a man wholly.

One of the villagers accompanied them to the snakes lair but the snake was nowhere to be seen. The guide went home leaving the two on their endeavor..

There were bunch of giant bamboos in the area that the man armed with his sheathed machete on his hips climbed the giant bamboos. He positioned himself externally amongst the bamboos but he made sure he's on the safe side to be able to carry out his plan. Together with his calling shouts, he usheathed his machete and make loud sounds by strucking it to the bamboos. Not long when that monstrous snake came crawling from somewhere heading to where the man was.

The snake slowly climbed up the bunch of bamboos. It then wrapped its body into the plants as it was coming closer to the man until it completely covered where the man was. The bamboos made a cracking sound almost breaking as the snake squeeze it.

Alert as he was, the man did not wait for the snake to squeeze hard. He struck the monsters belly while he can still move. With all his might, he sliced through it not wasting any moment. He can feel the life being squeezed out of him yet he managed to hold on and kept slicing.

Moments past when he felt the snake's grip becoming light. It fell to the ground with a thud.

His companion who had been hiding on a safe place, watched the scene unfold before him with awe. He was filled with emotions and what ifs on his mind. He then came out of his hiding place when he saw the last event.

The man on the bamboo tree came down and without wasting any moment he cut through where the snake's gallbladder was.

He ate it. Unfortunately, he died after some moments.

But before he consumed the bile, he instructed his friend that if misfortune befall him, he should bury him properly. His friend replied that he will.

The other man came home alone.

Villagers now understood that the man did not make it yet was successful in his quest to kill the giant python. Thus they asked if he buried the body properly and the man replied with a yes.

After a month, the man died also. The villagers concluded that the man who killed the snake and ate its bile was not properly buried by his friend; therefore, he called his friend. They said, if the friend would have been honest in the first place then they would have gone to fix and give the former a proper burial.

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In relation with using snake bile as a medicine, it was being used even on the ancient times for traditional treatment. There are certain species which are best used for treatment, though. That almost all body parts of the reptile are beneficial. It was used to treat a myriad health problems such as treatment for skin diseases, pain, intestinal haemorrhage and cancer.

The snake's bile and gall bladder is soaked on wine or any alcohol beverage to make it more palatable. Conditions like whooping cough high fever, infantile convulsions, skin infections and rheumatic pain, even erectile dysfunction were proven to be cured by it. Aside from its health benefits, it is also a good appetite enhancer that's why some exclusive restaurant in China, HongKong, Taiwan,Vietnam and other southeast Asian contries serve it as an appetizer.

Snake's blood and meat, venomous ones included are also consumed and believed to have medical properties.

Because this family of reptile shed their skin, it was believed that it has regenerative characteristics; people took the advantage to discover its use.

Snake slough helps treat skin diseases such as boils, itching, psoriasis. Acne, eye infections, sore throat and hemorrhoid are among conditions sloughed snake cures.

Lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases can benefit from the snake's venom as research shows it had anticoagulant properties. But 'lo, taking it needs caution.

Snakes, however won't attack not unless threatened.. May it be the deadly ones or those made as pets, the mere sight of it brings shiver up and down my spine.

It's been a while, guys.. I will not be active much..hope you understand.

This article was a repost from my article from 6 months ago..

05-07-21

z_graeden