BAKUNAWA: Moon Eating Dragon of the Philippines

Summary

The script delves into the Philippine myth of Bakunawa, a dragon that swallows the moon, with its origins linked to the Hindu god Rahu. It explores the myth's evolution from a Visayan god to a demon under Spanish influence and its regional variations across the Philippines. The narrative also touches on the cultural exchanges with China and India, the significance of the '7 moons' story, and the importance of preserving oral traditions as a means of asserting Filipino identity and resisting cultural suppression.

Takeaways

• 🐉 The Bakunawa is a mythical creature from Philippine folklore, often depicted as a dragon or large snake that swallows the moon, causing eclipses.
• 📣 To ward off Bakunawa, tribes historically made loud noises, such as banging drums and yelling, to scare it into releasing the moon.
• 🔮 Bakunawa was originally a Visayan god but was demonized by Spanish priests during the Christianization of the region, becoming synonymous with Satan.
• 📚 Researching Bakunawa revealed a complex tapestry of regional beliefs, requiring a comprehensive chart to map Philippine beliefs and their origins.
• 🌕 Bakunawa's identity varies by region: in Bicol as a god, in Visayas as a sea creature, and in Mindanao as Minokawa, a monstrous bird.
• 📖 Bakunawa was first documented by Spanish priests in the 17th century, with the term also used to describe the eclipse of the sun and moon.
• 🇨🇳 The Chinese believed in a similar celestial dragon that devoured the sun and moon during eclipses, with traditions of making noise to scare it away.
• 🌐 The strong cultural and trade ties between China and the Philippines suggest possible influence on Philippine myths, but the regions influenced by Chinese contact do not align with Bakunawa's prevalence.
• 🔮 The story of Rahu, a Hindu demigod associated with eclipses, seems to have influenced the Bakunawa myth, particularly in areas under Indianized influence.
• 🌑 The tale of Bakunawa and the 7 moons is unique in Philippine mythology, possibly referencing lunar cycles important for agriculture or the phases of the moon.
• 📖 The story of the 7 moons might be an early 20th-century interpretation rather than ancient folklore, raising questions about the evolution of myths and their documentation.
• 🧩 Bakunawa's narrative is a microcosm of Philippine mythology, reflecting cultural identity and the importance of oral tradition in preserving these stories.
• 📘 The preservation of Bakunawa and similar myths is crucial for understanding Filipino identity, with folklore serving as a tool for cultural unity and storytelling.
• 🚫 Despite periods of suppression, such as under Martial Law, Filipinos have maintained their oral tradition of storytelling as a form of cultural expression and resistance.

Q & A

Who is the Bakunawa in Philippine mythology?

The Bakunawa is a great dragon or huge snake that flies up into the sky and swallows the moon. It is known as a god in some regions, a colossal sea creature in others, and is associated with lunar eclipses.

How did the Spanish colonizers influence the perception of Bakunawa?

The Spanish priests demonized Bakunawa, turning it into a representation of Satan. They warned that Bakunawa would eat people if they didn't behave, which mothers then used to discipline their children.

What regions in the Philippines have different beliefs about Bakunawa?

In Bicol, Bakunawa is known as a god. In the Visayas, it is seen as a colossal sea creature and an adversary to the gods. In Mindanao, the moon eater is called Minokawa, which appears as a monstrous bird-like being.

What connection does Bakunawa have with similar myths in other cultures?

Similar myths exist in ancient Chinese and Hindu beliefs. The Chinese believed a celestial dragon devoured the sun or moon during an eclipse, while in Hindu mythology, Rahu is a demigod who attempts to swallow the sun or moon.

How does the story of Rahu relate to the Bakunawa myth?

Rahu, a Hindu demigod who seeks immortality, was decapitated by Vishnu before he could fully drink a divine nectar. His disembodied head occasionally attempts to swallow the sun or moon, similar to Bakunawa's actions in Filipino folklore.

What does the story of 'Bakunawa and the 7 Moons' signify?

The story, first written by Fernando Buyser, mentions seven moons, possibly representing the seven days of the week or lunar cycles for planting and harvesting. This story may be a poetic interpretation of existing folklore.

Why is the distinction between folklore and early 20th-century Philippine literature important?

Understanding this distinction is crucial because some stories, like 'Bakunawa and the 7 Moons,' may be more modern literary interpretations rather than ancient oral traditions. This helps preserve the authenticity of folklore.

What challenges did the researcher face while studying Bakunawa?

The researcher initially thought Bakunawa would be easy to research but found it challenging due to the need to chart various Philippine beliefs, migrations, and foreign influences, leading to a complex understanding of the myth.

How did foreign influences shape the Bakunawa myth in the Philippines?

The myth of Bakunawa was influenced by early Chinese and Indianized kingdoms through trade and cultural exchanges, leading to the adoption of regional identifiers like dragons and serpents in Philippine folklore.

Why is it important to preserve and study myths like Bakunawa in Philippine culture?

Myths like Bakunawa are microcosms of Philippine mythology, offering cultural and literary resources to unify Filipino identity. Preserving these stories helps maintain a connection to the country's animism, pantheism, and oral traditions.