Why is Bakunawa always demonized in Philippine myths?

Sawaga Bisayawa

Lives in The Philippines (2022–present)

Why is Bakunawa always demonized in Philippine myths? Isn’t it more of a neutral force of nature?

Bakunawa is a giant sea dragon from Bisaya culture, it symbolizes, greed, avarice.

Bakunawa is the same word used by the Bisaya to mean eclipse.

The eclipse is a natural phenomenon, but according to Bisaya lore, Bakunawa ate moons out of greed. Back then, the ancient Bisaya thought of the moon as a benevolent supernatural being.

If you are looking for a more neutral creature, the Bisaya have the Sawaga or Siwaga, it means dragons similar to that of China. Like other Asian countries, the sawaga are also associated with rain, and water and were often seen in old large clay jars in archeological finds.

The Bisaya also have Mansalauan, or wyverns in English.

If you want to see more interesting Bisaya mythical creatures, I tackled some of them in my comparison between Japanese and Bisaya cultures here on Quora (link below).

Sawaga Bisayawa

 · Apr 24

What are some Japanese culture in the Philippines? I am not talking about family values but architecture, clothing, etc. I know that Philippines culture is VERY similar to Japanese culture but can someone list it?

Please be aware that for close to 400 years, Spanish and American imperialists together with the Catholic Church has destroyed anything they deemed as “pagan” and a threat to their Western ideals so we have limited material to work on. Also take note that I will be answering this question mostly in the Bisaya perspective since I am more familiar with that culture, but I am no way an expert nor do not claim to be one, I just happen to speak the language and read some books about precolonial Bisaya culture and history. I am also not going to pretend that I know much about Japanese culture, so please correct me if I am wrong. Architecture. Stilts Japanese Shinmei-zukuri Traditional 16th century Bisaya balay. (note the size of the pillars compared to the human). Bahay kubo common in all regions of the Philippines #### Interior - sliding doors and windows #### Japanese Shoji Bisaya traditional “Lampirung” Windowpane oyster in doors and windows #### More examples of Japanese and Filipino (Bisaya) houses #### Japanese traditional Machiya Houses Traditional thatched roof house in rural Japan Traditional houses in Okinawa, Japan Bisaya houses. Note the obvious Chinese influence in these houses with its sometimes hip and garbled roofs and high ceilings in most of the images below similar to that in Japan. See East Asian hip-and-gable roof First, some old terracotta models of old 11th-century Bisaya houses from northern Mindanao, The next Bisaya houses will be from the 16th to the 19th century. House in Balamban, Cebu (Facebook) Clarin family house, Bohol built in 1844 Rocha house in Bohol built in the 1800s to the 1830s. Beldia house in Bohol, originally built by the Butalid family in 1858 Yap-Sandiego house in Cebu, built between 1675 and 1700 Lucero house in Argao, Cebu, built in 1710 The Sarmiento-Osmena house in Carcar, Cebu built in 1859 Gorordo house in Cebu built 1840-1863 Argao, Cebu, Town Hall, notice the horn like protrusions on the top of the roof Cebu Botika Below is a building in Parian, Cebu built in 1730. Notice the same curved roof style, unknown in other parts or ethnic groups in the Philippines. *Seems like there’s a lot similarities in the house architecture of both Japan and the Philippines. Rural stilt and thatched roof houses in rural Japan and traditional houses of Okinawa have a lot of similarities to the houses in the Bisaya areas of Cebu and Bohol as well as the terracotta artifact from Butuan in Northeast Mindanao. Update: Sept. 29, 2022. After a bit of digging around and connecting with the locals from Bohol, I was informed that this Bisaya style of architecture with the curved East Asian hip-and-gable roof is called “TAL” in old Bisaya language, named after the “tal” which in Bisaya means old, prominent or established families. ### Fortifications ### Japanese castle, Matsue. A fortress or in Bisaya language, a “Moog”, located in Boljoon, Cebu built in 1808 (notice the East Asian hip-and-gable like roof ) ### Temples ### Byodo-in Buddhist Temple in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine in Tokyo, Japan Taoist Temple in Cebu Kuan Tao Sian Tian Temple, Cebu Philippine Chinese Spiritual Temple, Cebu ### Buddhist Iconography ### Japan follows Zen Buddhism which came from China via Korea as Chen Buddhism. Bisaya people prior to the invasion of the Spanish devils, followed Vajrayana Tantric Buddhism which came from Tibetan Buddhism (see Visayan artifacts below). * Notice that the axe (in bisaya it’s “wasay”) above looks similar to Phurba axes from Tibet below showing a connection to the two civilizations. ### Fu Dogs / shishi ### Japan Philippines, Fu Dogs in the Philippines tend to look like actual dogs rather than lions. Dividers * Japanese * Bisaya Parasol * Japanese * Bisaya Umbrellas * Japanese * Bisaya / Filipino (in Bisaya, umbrellas are called “payong”) Clothing. ### Hats ### Japanese hats Visayan Salakot / Sarok / Takukong hats saruk n 1 a wide-brimmed hat with a sharp metal point at the center, tapering to the brim, usually made of buri palm leaves and black climbing fern (nítù), used as a protection against the sun. source: *Note: These finials are called “suyak” in Bisaya Takukong hats ### Headgear ### Japanese Hachimaki Bisaya Tubaw (Binisaya Dictionary) Japanese Tenugui Bisaya Putong (English to Binisaya - Cebuano Dictionary and Thesaurus. ) ### Full Attire ### Japanese Suot Bisaya SINULOG is also called “kangan” in Cebu, especially in Lapu-Lapu City. Kangan jackets can either have “gansing (hook & eye/buttons)” or not. *note that the bracelets are called BAKLAW or BINUKAW, bangle braceless are called Kasikas, and the necklace is called a TAKLAY Source: Barangay 16th Century Philippine Culture and Society - Part 1 The Visayas Japanese belt/sash Bisaya HULUN Japanese Bisaya Note: Surigao was part of the Visayan Rajahnate of Butuan, their last King, Rajah Awi was cousin to Rajah Humabon of Cebu and he was present during the Blood Compact between Humabon and Magellan. Source: Pigafetta's Dictionary Bisaya men wear patadyong too, especially after a circumcision ### Loincloth ### Japanese Bisaya man wearing a loincloth called BAHAG in Bisaya language ### JACKETS ### Japanese In Bisaya, Jackets are called SOPA and they have an uncanny similarity to Song Dynasty, China’s jackets. This is a lumad jacket, similar to the Bisaya jacket, I just want to show a similar item that is still being used. The Bisaya also have something similar to the Japanese Yukata, but the Bisaya version is sleeveless. This is called a Saobsaob Below is a saobsaob that has sleeves, unlike the traditional saobsaob. Fashion and clothing in the Philippines - Wikipedia Miscellaneous: I know this is a Japanese and Filipino comparison but as I was surfing up the web, I saw some interesting similarities in the terminologies used in mainland Southeast Asia and the Bisaya. Sinina (upper shirt) - Bisaya Sinh (clothing) - Lao Sablay - Bisaya shawl Sbai - Thai/Khmer shawl Sampot - Bisaya bottom/butt/base Sampot - Khmer lower garment Sompot Chong Kben - Thai lower garment Patadyong - Bisaya tube skirt Pa Teen Jok - Thai tube skirt Suot Bisaya - Bisaya clothes Xout lao - Lao clothes Chut Thai - Thai clothes I do not think these are coincidences. Below is Khmer or Thai Sampot/Sompot Sampot chang samloy Here is a HABUL being worn as baggy pants Different ways of using PATADYONG, the Maranao call this piece of clothing, MALONG but it’s the same thing except for the patterns used. ### Footwear ### Japanese For the Bisaya footwear, we have the Sapin, Bakya, Suwalo, Dapa and Kutsu. Filipino (general) all throughout the archipelago, these Filipino sandals are called BAKYA. Borrowed from Hokkien 木屐 (ba̍k-kiah, “wooden clogs”). Worn by both men and women. Bisaya straw sandals, called SUWALO The Bisaya didn’t have socks originally or medyas, instead we had footwraps called SAPIN. #### Armor ### Japanese Bisaya Armor Bisaya armor are called “Baluti or Baruti” This type of Bisaya armor is called PAKILI Cuirass type armor is called SAOB in Bisaya, not to be confused with the Saobsabo which is a piece of clothing Pigafetta's Binisaya Dictionary Cebuano to English Dictionary and Thesaurus. Does this count as armor? These cuffs are called DALAK or KARAMKAM in Bisaya Source: Barangay 16th Century Philippine Culture and Society - Part 1 The Visayas WEAPONS * Japanese katana * Bisaya Talibong sword * Kampilan sword common in Visayas and Mindanao, said to be the sword wielded by LapuLapu himself * Talibong from Panay island in western Visayas. * More Bisaya weapons were unearthed in Northern Mindanao, from the Bisaya kingdom of Butuan. Below are Kalis swords, and directly below is a Kalis sword from Bohol island, notice that Bisaya swords from Visayas and Mindanao tend to be straight and larger than those found in Indonesia and Malaysia. Balaraw/Baraw/Baladaw swords unearthed in Cebu, Bohol and Butuan. This is an supplementary sword similar to the Japanese wazikashi. Japanese Naginata Philippine spears in Bisaya, spears are called BANKAW Bisaya Panabas Below is an atabas in a weapons exhibition in Cebu City, Visayas Region. That shield is made up, that is not the shield of the Bisaya. But notice the TUBAW, BALUTI, HULUN, BALADAW (short sword), SAMPOT, DALAK and KAMPILAN. ### Shields ### Japanese shields ### The Bisaya too used shields ### Here is an illustration of Pedro Alcina of Bisaya KARASAG/KALASAG (rectangular) and TAMING (round) shields. * source: from the Historia de las Islas e Indios de Bisayas (c. 1668) by Francisco Ignacio Alcina TAMING Shields ### Artillery ### Japanese cannon Bisaya cannon, LANTAKA in Cebu (Binisaya - Lantaka) more Visayan lantakas (notice the snake heads) even more lantakas ### RIFLES ### Japanese Bisaya Luthang rifle (meaning small lantaka) was used by the Bisaya since 1711 from the Indonesian style arquebues rifle. Bisaya Arquebus called Surit-surit ### Raincoats ### Japanese In Binisaya, the raincoat below is called Samsuy, sometimes made with anahaw leaves English to Binisaya - Cebuano Dictionary and Thesaurus. ### RAIDING (specifically raiding China) ### Japanese wokou pirates attacking China and Korea Bisaya PANGAYAW or raiding using Karakoas with mounted LANTAKAS Visayan Balangay Timawa of the Bisaya in China Source: Illustrations by link in Facebook ### Martial Arts ### Japanese Filipino/Bisaya ### Tatooing ### Japanese Bisaya Visayan tattoo design ### Palanquins ### Japanese Filipino, in Binisaya these hammocks are called DUYAN * Duyans were used in World War 2 The Bisaya also have sedan chairs called Pinggahan ### Eating ### Japanese Japanese outdoor dining Bisaya - traditional Bisaya YAKA dining using low tables called Latuk Bisaya outdoor dining, PUNGKO PUNGKO using low tables, TALAD In Binisaya, chopsticks are called SIPIT, from the Hokkien, 栓筆／栓笔 = sng-pit, “holding pin as referred to by the 1882 Bisaya Dictionary, but some call it as, Tungan or Tirongan. Incense * Japanese * Bisaya Smoking Rituals * Japanese * Bisaya Food * Japanese onigiri * Bisaya hanging rice or in Bisaya language, “PUSO” Traditional Religion * Japanese Shinto - Animism * Japanese Shinto priest, kannushi * Japanese Miko (female shaman) * Filipino Anito - Animism. Anito means spirit in Binisaya * Bisaya Asog (male shaman), below is Tamblot from Bohol who fought against the Spanish imperialists and the Catholic Church. He mainly fought to preserve the customs and cultures of the Bisaya people. * Bisaya Babaylan or Baylan (female shaman/priestess) doing a paganito ritual. * Paganito in Bisaya means the rituals associated with the Anito or spirits and the Diwata or gods. It could also mean rituals for the kalag (souls) of your ancestors or to invoke ancestor spirit helpers/companions/guides called Umalagad. Altars / Offerings * Japanese * Bisaya Comparison between the Old Japanese Language and Bisaya language are (I) === ari (here, to me) i (you) === ikaw (you) kore (this) === kiri (this) titi (father) === tatay (father) opodi (grandfather) === apohan (grandparent) ye (older brother) === iyo (elder), kuya (older brother) oto (younger brother) === otod (sibling) me (eye) === mata (eye) kami (deities/spirits) === kami (we/us) tura (facial profile) === itsura (facial profile) inu (dog) === iro (dog) wi (boar) === iwik (boar sound) kake (chicken) === kokok (a type of big bird) ki (tree) === kahoy (tree/wood) pa (leaf) === pakli (leaf) awo (blue) === bughaw (blue) kuro (black) === kurong (dark veil) na (name) === ngan (name) akatuki (early morning) === aga (early morning) from Hiligaynon language tosi (year) === tuig (year) pi (fire) === apoy (fire) from Tagalog language ama (heaven) === ama (father) tuti (soil) === yuta (soil) nani (what?) === ngano (why?) iduku (where) === diin (where) ikani (how) === ingon ani (like this) Modern Japanese words vs Bisaya nomu (drink) === inom (drink) gohan (rice) === kan-on (rice) buta (pig) === butakal (male pig) ohayo (greeting) === ayo (greeting) yokai (demon) === yawa (demon) toyo (soy sauce) === toyo (soy sauce) kaban (bag) === kaban (box) Resources: English to Binisaya - Cebuano Dictionary and Thesaurus. English to Binisaya - Cebuano Dictionary and Thesaurus. Devata - Wikipedia Prehispanic CEBU Supernatural * Japanese Yokai * Bisaya has “di-ingun-nato” which means, “those that are not of us”. Unglo are also called Ungo. The Aswangs are common in the entire archipelago not just for the Bisaya. Society * Feudal Japan * Feudal Bisaya structure REFERENCES Laarhoven, Ruurdje. The Maguindanao Sultanate in the 17th Century: Triumph of Moro Diplomacy. Quezon City: New Day Publishers, 1989. Majul, Cesar Adib. “Political and Historical Notes on the Old Sulu Sultanate.” Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 38, no. 1 (1965): 23-42. Mednick, Melvin. “Some Problems of Moro History and Political Organization.” Philippine Sociological Review 5, no. 1 (1957): 39-52. Scott, William Henry. Barangay: Sixteenth-Century Philippine Culture and Society. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1994. Tiongson, Nicanor G., ed. 1994. CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art, Volume II. Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines. Miscellaneous: Precolonial Bisaya Image Dump (soon to be updated): Comprehensive list of Visayan clothing Uran = work clothes Lihin-lihin = formal clothes Hinapay = hairstyle Pangko = tie the hair into a knot Pungos = gather the entire hair and tie it in a knot. Sinapid, tabid = braids Yungyung = dropped hair Alot = short hair Opaw = no hair Tugabong, tagabung, tugabung = strands of hair formed into a wig to reinforce a chignon, make into a hairpiece of this sort. Artificial chignon. Wear, make into an artificial chignon. Talabhok, panta = hair extensions, hair switches Dayan = ornaments Aliling = halo Purong = headdress, crown Pudong/putong = head wrap Magalong = red pudong Tubatub = headwrap for women Tubaw = headscarf Binong = crown Pandong = head covering similar in appearance to a Chinese "mili" (幂篱) or a Japanese "uchikatsugi" but used on top of the head, like a hood not attached to a hat Turung = hood Samsuy = hood made of woven palm leaflets covering the entire head and back Kalo/kawo = hat Tadindak = wide hat Sayap = wide brim hat Sadok/saruk = a wide-brimmed hat with a sharp metal point at the center (suyak) Takukung = hat made from tambaliyung or bottle gourd Panika = earrings Patan-aw = dangling earrings Bintay = long earrings Pamarang = large round earrings Dalin-dalin = simple loop earrings Palbad = rosette earrings Kayong-kayong = earring with dangling pendants Sangi = earring worn on just one of the ears Bingbing = unpierced ears Taptap = mask Kurong = veil Baliog/Baliyug = choker necklace Kamagi = heavy gold chain necklace with interlocked links Goar = chain loop on a kamagi Saay = single large kamagi strand Sinoyod = simple form kamagi Pinarogmok = square kamagi Siniwalo = kamagi that is octagonal with large round finials Barbar = long thin kamagi that could reach 4 meters and less than a meter wide Taklay = necklaces made with gold beads, shells and Chinese gems Dagun = amulet Sangud = amulet for wealth, power and strength Anting-anting = talisman for good luck Binungahon = gear like beads Matambukaw = 4 sided beads Tinaklum = long hollow beads Tontonan = large round finials Pinoro = fancy finials with tiny granules added on the surface like tiny islands (puro) beads Tigbi = fruit beads Tinigbi = job's tears (tigbi) beads Bungan Buyo = betel nut beads Sapot = cloth/garment Sinulog = long sleeved shirts similar in style to that of Sulu Sab-ung/Sab-ong = shirt Baro/Baru/Baju = shirt with a neckline Habay-habay = armor burlap Sinina = round collar robes similar to the ones seen in Tang China (Yuanlingpao), due to Persian influence Takaba = torso wrap Lambong = long tube dress Tapi = piece of cloth wrapped around the waist or upper body as a skirt Kang-an = jacket Ginhunlan = open cloaks or gowns closed by either a gold gansing (hooks or button) or by a hulun (sash) Sal-ob/saob-saob = long cardigan jackets similar to beizi Pabiyun = mantle Sablay/Sagbay/Salagbay = shawl Sambilay = sling Talikala = chain link. tali (bind) and kala (time in Buddhism) Baruti/Baluti = armor Pakil/batung-batung = armor plates Saob = breastplate/cuirass armor Baklaw/binukaw = bracelet Kasikas = rings worn around the neck, wrists, ankles, knees, biceps, and arms Dalak/karamkam = cuff bracelets, similar to bracers. Galis = shell bracelet Burluloy = bangles Simpin/sinimpin = plain finger ring with no gems Singsing = finger ring Tangkil = a strap around the waist with dangling beads (bugbog), charms, tassels (burlas), metal tassels (kulili) or a mascot (tangil) etc Habak = bellyband used as a talisman Hulun = sash/belt cloth with gold beads in the end called lusok or tibug-ok Langgita = belt loops Pilitina = drawstring in the waistline Paha = wide belt Bakus = belt (from the word, baksan or boa constrictor, sabuk in Indonesian) Tagkos/pahot = lace cord Lusbak = belt buckles Panagkos = strap Hiklat = panties Putaw = briefs Hampin/lampin = diaper Bahag = 5 meter long g-string with the extra length wrapped around the waist, and less than a meter wide Ipuk = short shorts Puruntong = shorts that end above the knees Purol = loose shorts that end below the knees and above the ankles Patadyong = tube skirt Sapin = footwraps, footwear Bakya = wooden clogs Sabot = wooden shoes carved from a single block of wood Suwalo = straw sandals Kutsu = women's slippers with thick soles Dapa = loafer shoes/slip on shoes Payong = umbrella Buyang = parasol