|
Philippine Legends, Mythology and FolklorePhilippine legends and mythology are derived from Philippine folk literature, which is the traditional oral literature of the Filipino people. This refers to a wide range of material due to the ethnic mix of the Philippines. Each unique ethnic group has its own stories and myths to tell.While the oral and thus changeable aspect of folk literature is an important defining characteristic, much of this oral tradition had been written into a print format. To point out that folklore in a written form can still be considered folklore, It should be pointed out that all the examples of folk literature cited in this article are taken from print, rather than oral sources. Philippine legends, mythology and folklore include a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities. Some Filipinos, even though heavily westernized and Christianized, still believe in such entities. The prevalence of belief in the figures of Philippine mythology is strong in the provinces.  Because the country has many islands and is inhabited by different ethnic groups, Philippine legends, mythology and superstitions are very diverse. However, certain similarities exist among these groups, such as the belief in Heaven, Hell and the human soul. University of the Philippines professor, Damiana Eugenio, classified Philippine Folk Literature into three major groups: folk narratives, folk speech, and folk songs. Folk narratives can either be in prose: the myth, the alamat (legend), and the kuwentong bayan (folktale), or in verse, as in the case of the folk epic. Folk songs that can be sub-classified into those that tell a story (folk ballads) are a relative rarity in Philippine folk literature. These form the bulk of the Philippines' rich heritage of folk songs. The stories of ancient Philippine legends and mythology include deities, creation stories, mythical creatures, and beliefs. Ancient Philippine mythology varies among the many indigenous tribes of the Philippines. Some groups during the pre-Spanish conquest era believed in a single Supreme Being who created the world and everything in it, while others chose to worship a multitude of tree and forest deities (diwatas).
The Aswang (monster) is one the most famous of these Philippine mythological creatures. The aswang is a ghoul or vampire, an eater of the dead, and a werewolf. Filipinos also believed in the Dila (The Tongue), a spirit that passes through the bamboo flooring of provincial houses, then licks certain humans to death. Philippine legends and mythology also have fairies, dwarfs, Kapre (a tree-residing giant), Manananggal (a self-segmenter), witches, spirit-summoners, goblins (Nuno sa Punso), ghosts (Multo), fireballs (Santelmo), mermaids (Sirena), mermen (Siyokoy), demon-horses (Tikbalang), Hantu Demon and demon-infants (Tiyanak). Single Filipina women seeking dating, love and friendship   "Fired Travel Agent Reveals How To Get Dirt Cheap Airfare Tickets!" The secrets exposed here will exceed your wildest of expectations. Manipulate airline companies' ticket pricing computer systems to give you $1,000's of discounts on your ticket. Earn free vouchers for airfare tickets just from making a phone call and without ever even flying at all! The KEY to traveling for cheap, and how to use this knowledge to get the biggest bargains!My Airfare Secrets »
 Return from Philippine Legends to Cebu-Philippines Home page »
|
Travel Secrets »
on the left side of every page and use this to subscribe to our site. If you're not sure what RSS is, just click the "?". Our goal is to provide you with the most current and relevant Philippines travel information.