Tagalog Origin Mythology

 The Tagalog Creation Story tells of a time when there was only the sea and the sky, with a bird resembling a hawk flying between them. This bird grew tired and, to find a place to rest, stirred up the sea, causing it to throw waters against the sky. The sky responded by creating many islands, restraining the sea's movements.

The bird, now known as a kite, was instructed by the sky to land on one of the islands, build a nest, and live peacefully, separating the sea and the sky. Meanwhile, a bamboo, symbolizing the union of the land and sea breezes, produced a man and a woman when struck by the kite's feet.

An earthquake gathered birds and fish to decide the fate of the man and woman, concluding that they should marry. This union gave rise to various human races. As their children multiplied, the parents grew weary and attempted to get rid of them. In desperation, the father beat the children with a stick.

Frightened, the children scattered in different directions. Those hiding in the hidden rooms of the house became island chiefs, those in the walls became slaves, those running outside became free men, those in the fireplace turned into negroes, and those fleeing to the sea eventually returned as white people after many years. This tale explains the origins of different races and social classes in the Tagalog culture.

Creation Story (Tagalog) In the beginning, the world was a vast expanse of sea and sky, with no land in sight. Between them soared a kite, a bird resembling a hawk. This bird, weary of endless flight, stirred up the sea, causing it to clash with the sky. To pacify the restless sea, the sky scattered many islands, preventing it from rising unchecked. Instructing the kite to find a perch on one of the islands and build its nest, the sky sought to establish harmony between the sea and the sky. Meanwhile, a curious tale unfolded as the land breeze and sea breeze united, giving birth to a bamboo. One day, as the bamboo floated on the water, it accidentally struck the kite's feet on the beach. Irritated by the intrusion, the bird pecked at the bamboo, and astonishingly, a man emerged from one section, and a woman from the other. The earthquake summoned all the birds and fish to discuss the fate of these two unexpected beings. The consensus was for the man and woman to marry. This union bore many children, who eventually became the diverse races of people. As time passed, the parents grew weary of their numerous, seemingly idle children and desired to be rid of them. Frustrated, the father resorted to beating them with a stick. Terrified, the children scattered in every direction, seeking refuge in hidden spaces within the house, walls, outside, in the fireplace, and some even fled to the sea. Remarkably, those who sought shelter within the hidden rooms of the house became the chiefs of the islands. Those who concealed themselves in the walls became slaves, while those who ran outside became free men. Those who hid in the fireplace transformed into the ancestors of the negroes. Those who ventured into the sea were gone for many years, and when their descendants returned, they became the white people. Thus, the varied origins of the human races were shaped.