Chapter III: Front Matter (3)
Not long after Aponibolinayen could sit up straight, and she wanted to leave Algaba, but he took her. When Aponibolinayen looked at her ring she saw it was not her own. "Why have I another ring?" she asked, and she caught the hand of Algaba for he wanted to take her. "Give me my ring. It is not good for you, for it looks like copper. Take your ring, for it is really gold," said Aponibolinayen. "No, this is good, for I did not take it from your finger. The spirits wanted it to come to my finger. Our rings are both gold, but they are different colors," he said. "Let us chew betel-nut for it is bad for us to talk when we do not know each other's names." "It is not my custom to chew betel-nut," said Aponibolinayen. "Then you learn," said Algaba. Not long after he made her chew and he gave to her. "Now, lady, whom I visit you tell your name first," he said. "No, because I am ashamed, as a woman to tell my name first." Not long after he said, "My name is Algaba of Dagála. I have looked in all parts of the world for a wife, but I did not find anyone like you, and now I have found you, and I want you to be married to me." "My name is Aponibolinayen of Kaodanan, sister of Aponibalagen who are son and daughter of Ebang and Pagbokásan," said Aponibolinayen. Not long after they laid down their quids and they were rows of agate beads which have no holes. Algaba said, "It is good for us to be married." So they were married and they went to Dagála. As soon as they arrived in Dagála, "Mother," he said to his mother _alan_, "now we are going to take you to Kadalayapan, because I have found a wife." "No," said the _alan_, "we must first build _balaua_ here." "That is good if it is what you desire," said Algaba.
Not long after Aponibolinayen commanded people to pound rice, and others to get betel-nuts which were covered with gold. So they truly made _Sayang._ [120] Not long after when it became evening they made _Libon._ "The best for us to do is to invite Aponibalagen, and all the people of Kadalayapan and some other places," said Algaba. Not long after they sent the betel-nuts which were covered with gold to invite their relatives. Some of the betel-nuts they sent to Kaodanan. "Sir, come to Dagála, because Aponibolinayen and Algaba build _balaua_," said the betel-nut to Aponibalagen. When the other betel-nuts arrived at Kadalayapan to invite the people they said to Langa-an, "Come to Dagála because Aponibolinayen and Algaba make _balaua_." Not long after Aponibalagen and Aponigawani and the other people went.
When they reached the middle of the way they met the people of Kadalayapan, so they were a large party who went. When they arrived at Dagála, at the place where the spring is, they saw that all the stones by the river were gold and they were surprised, and the people who were dipping water from the spring were there. "You people who are dipping water, where is the shallow place for us to cross?" they said. "You look for the place where the people go across?" said the people who were dipping water. Not long after they went across the river. As soon as they reached the other side of the river, they took a bath. The women who were dipping water saw that the water which ran from their bodies were agates which had no holes. "How wonderful are the people who live in Kadalayapan and Kaodanan, for they are relatives of Kaboniyan [121] and they have power," said the women who were dipping water from the well.
"You people who are dipping water, where is the trail which leads to the house of Algaba of Dagála?" they said. "Follow the head poles; they are along the road to his house," said the women who were dipping water. So they went up truly to the town, and the boa constrictors which made the fence around the town did not move when they passed, for they were afraid, and when they arrived at the house of Algaba the _alan_ danced. When they sat down Pagatipánan was in a hurry. "Ala! Langa-an, let us go and give the betel-nut which is covered with gold to Algaba," he said and they went truly. They told Algaba that they were going to chew betel-nut, because they wished to learn if they were relatives; and Algaba said "That is good," and they called Aponigawani to the house, and they cut the betel-nut in pieces. As soon as they cut it in pieces, "The best way to do is for you to tell your name first, because we came to visit you," said Pagatipánan to Algaba. "No, old man, you tell your name first," said Algaba. Not long after, "My name is Pagatipánan who am the _Lakay_ [122] of Kadalayapan." Not long after, "My name is Pagbokásan who is the father of Aponibalagen of Kaodanan." Not long after, "My name is Algaba who is the son of an _alan_ who has deformed feet, [123] who has no sister; we are not like you people who have power," said Algaba. Not long after, "My name is Aponibalagen of Kaodanan who is the son of Ebang and Pagbokásan." Not long after, "My name is Aponigawani of Kadalayapan who has no brother, so that when some enemies come into our town I dress in the bark of trees." Not long after, "My name is Aponibolinayen who is the sister of Aponibalagen." As soon as they told their names, they laid down their betel-nut quids. The quids of Algaba and Aponigawani both went to the quid of Pagatipánan, also the quids of Aponibalagen and Aponibolinayen went to the quid of Pagbokásan. Then Aponigawani stood up. "You are so strange, Algaba, you are my brother. I am so glad that I have a brother now. You are bad for you let the enemies come into Kadalayapan," she said. "Excuse me for I was far from Kadalayapan and did not see; it is our custom for some of us to go to fight," said Algaba. "The best way to do, Aponitolau, [124] is for you to go back with us to Kadalayapan," said Aponigawani. "If that is what you wish it is all right," he said. Not long after the _balaua_ was finished and they took them to Kadalayapan. The valuable things which the _alan_ owned she gave to them, and she flew away.
When they arrived in Kadalayapan, Aponibalagen wanted to marry Aponigawani. He sent his mother to go and give the message. As soon as she arrived in Kadalayapan, "Good morning, nephew Aponitolau," said Ebang. "Good morning, what are you here for?" said Aponitolau. "What are you coming for, you say. Aponibalagen sent me to talk to you, for he wishes to marry Aponigawani," she said. "If you think it is good it will be all right," said Aponitolau, so she took out the engagement gift and she put one earring inside of a little jar and it was filled with gold. Aponitolau lifted his eyebrows and half of the gold disappeared, so Ebang put another earring in the pot and it was full again. "Ala! when it becomes evening you come and bring Aponibalagen," he said to Ebang. "Yes," she said. So she went home. As soon as she arrived in their house in Kaodanan, Aponibalagen asked the result of her trip. "They agreed all right; we will go when it becomes evening," said Ebang. When it became night they went to Kadalayapan and he lived with Aponigawani. When it became morning he took Aponigawani to Kaodanan and the father and mother of Aponigawani and the other people followed them. They went to get the marriage payment. It was the _balaua_ filled nine times with jars. As soon as they gave all the payment, Aponitolau was the next to make his payment. It was also the _balaua_ filled nine times. As soon as they made all the payment they went home.
(Told by Mano, a woman of Patok.)
3
"I am going to wash my hair. Give me the rice straw, which has been inherited nine times," said Aponitolau to his mother Langa-an. So Langa-an gave him some and he went to the river to wash. As soon as he arrived at the well he saw the pretty girl who was washing her hair. He went and sat down on her skirt and the pretty girl told him not to cut her in many places so she would not need to doctor the wounds. "If I were an old enemy I would have killed you at the first. It is bad for us to talk when we do not know each other's names. Let us chew betel-nut," said Aponitolau. "No, for it is not my custom," said the girl. But Aponitolau compelled her to chew betel-nut with him. "You tell your name first," he said to her. "No, it is not good for me to tell my name first, for I am a woman. You are a man. You tell your name first." So Aponitolau said, "My name is Aponitolau of Kadalayapan who am the son of Langa-an and Pagatipánan, who came here to wash my hair. It is good fortune for me that I met you here washing your hair." "My name is Gimbangonan of Natpangan, who am the daughter of It-tonagan, who is the sister of Aldasan." As soon as she told her name she disappeared and went to hide among the betel nuts on the branch of a tree. So Aponitolau was very sorry and he went back home without washing his hair. As soon as he arrived where Langa-an was sitting he said to her "Mother, when I arrived at the well by the river I met a pretty girl whose name was Gimbangonan, the daughter of It-tonagan of Natpangan. We chewed betel-nuts and told our names, but as soon as she told her name she disappeared and I could not see her. She said that she lived in Natpangan. I want to marry her. Will you go and arrange the _pakálon?"_ [125] So Langa-an went at once and got her hat which was as large as the _salakasak_ [126] for she saw that Aponitolau was sorrowful.
When she took her hat it clucked. [127] "Why does my hat cluck when I take it down? I think they do not like you, Aponitolau," said Langa-an. "No, you go and try." So Langa-an went again to get her hat and again it clucked, but nevertheless she took it and went. When she was in the middle of the way the head of the hat which was like a bird swung and made Langa-an turn her head and it clucked again. Langa-an sat down by the trail and wondered what would happen. Not long after she went on again and she met Asindamáyan near the ford. She asked where the ford was and when Asindamáyan told her, she spread her belt on the water and it ferried her across. Not long after she reached the other side of the river, and she inquired for the house of Gimbangonan. Asindamáyan answered, "You look for the house where many people are putting props under the house. That is the house of Gimbangonan. Her porch has many holes in it."
When Langa-an arrived at the house she said, "Good afternoon." And It-tonagan and Gimbangonan answered, "Good afternoon." They invited her to go up into the house and she went. "Why do you come here, Aunt?" said Gimbangonan. "I came to arrange for you to marry Aponitolau, for he wants to marry you and has sent me to talk about the _pakálon_." Gimbangonan was very happy and said to her mother, "You tell him yes, for I wish to marry Aponitolau." So It-tonagan agreed to the marriage and Langa-an asked how much the marriage price would be. "The regular custom of the people with magical power which is the _balaua_ nine times full," said Aldasan, because It-tonagan was always restless and was walking outside the house. So Langa-an left a little jar and agate bead, as a sign of the engagement, for Gimbangonan. Not long after she went back home to Kadalayapan. When she arrived where Aponitolau was lying down she said, "_Wes_" for she was tired and Aponitolau heard her and he went and inquired what was the matter. His mother answered that they had agreed on the marriage and the next day he could go and marry Gimbangonan.
As soon as the next day came they prepared jars of _basi_, [128] and pigs to be carried to Natpangan, and Aponitolau carried one large empty jar. [129] So they went. As soon as they arrived Aponitolau asked where Gimbangonan was, and the people said, "Look at the big woman." He looked and saw that she was a very big woman and Aponitolau cried, for she was not the girl he had seen before, and he bent his head. While the old men were talking to each other Gimbangonan said to Aponitolau, "Come here, Aponitolau. Be very happy. Why do you bend your head?" Aponitolau did not listen, and he did not go. Not long after Langa-an and the others went back home and left Aponitolau to be joined to Gimbangonan. Aponitolau was afraid to go to Gimbangonan, for she was a very big woman. She called to him all the time, but he did not go to her. It-tonagan was restless and did not stay in the house even in the night, and they could not sleep.
After ten days Aponitolau said, "I am going to Kadalayapan for a little while. I will return soon." "If you go to Kadalayapan I will go with you," she said. "Do not go this time and I will take you next time," he said, and he went. When he was near the gate of the town of Kadalayapan he hung his head until he reached his house. His mother asked why he hung his head. "I do not wish to marry Gimbangonan for she is not the woman I met by the river." "Do not be angry with me for I did what you wished. I would not have engaged you to Gimbangonan if you had not sent me." They sent their _liblibayan_ [130] to go and get betel-nuts which were covered with gold, for they intended to make _Sayang_, so that they could find out who the woman was who had been by the river. Soon the _liblibayan_ returned and they said, "We did not get the betel-nuts which you desired for we found a pretty toy among the branches of the tree." Aponitolau took the branch of the tree which shone as if covered with fire and he put a blanket on it and many pillows around it. As soon as they had again commanded the _liblibayan_ to get the betel-nuts they went and soon they arrived with the fruit. They oiled the betel-nuts and sent them to every place in the world and if anyone refused to come they were to grow on their knees. Not long after the betel-nuts went to the different towns and invited all the people.
When they arrived they danced and Aponitolau looked at them to see if the woman he met at the river was there, but she was not among them, and he wondered what had become of the woman, for the betel-nuts had gone to all parts of the world. Aponitolau went into the house for he was sorrowful, and he laid down near the blankets and he noticed that the blankets appeared as if on fire and he was frightened. [131] He got up and unwrapped the blankets and he saw a pretty girl. "I did not think you were here. I have been engaged. You said your name was Gimbangonan, and I sent my mother to engage me to you, but when I saw Gimbangonan she was a big woman so I left her and came here to make _balaua_ so I might find you. You cannot escape from me now for I shall hold your hand. Let us chew betel-nut." So they chewed and Aponitolau said, "My name is Aponitolau of Kadalayapan who is the son of Langa-an and Pagbokásan to whom you told a lie for you said you were Gimbangonan, and now I want to know your real name." "My name is Aponibolinayen of Natpangan who is the daughter of Ebang and Pagatipánan." When they had told their names they saw that they were related and that they both possessed magical power, so they were married.
After three days, Aponitolau said to Aponibolinayen, "Wait for me in the house. Do not be lonesome, for our mother is here. I am going to see my pasture." "Do not stay long," said Aponibolinayen. "If anyone comes you hide in the house," said Aponitolau. Not long after he went and when he arrived in the pasture all the jars went around him and all the jars stuck out their tongues for they were very hungry for they had not been fed for a long time. The jars were _somadag, ginlasan, malayo_, and _tadogan_, and other kinds also. [132] When Aponitolau thought that all the jars had arrived where he was he fed them with betel-nut, first covered with _lawed_ [133] leaves. As soon as he had fed them he gave them some salt. Not long after he went back home and he rode on a carabao.
When he arrived at their house he called to Aponibolinayen, but no one answered him and he was surprised. So he hurried to the house and he saw that Aponibolinayen was dead and he was grieved. He took her in his lap and while her body was in his lap it began to sweat. He used his power so that when he whipped [134] his perfume _banawes_ she said, "_Wes_." When he whipped his perfume _dagimonau_ she awoke. When he whipped his perfume _alikadakad_ she stood up and said, "I told you not to go, Aponitolau, but you went anyway. A big woman came here and stole all my things and killed me. I don't know who she was." Aponitolau called his mother and asked who it was and his mother replied that it was Gimbangonan. So Aponitolau went to Natpangan. "Why did you go to kill Aponibolinayen?" "I went to kill her for you do not care for me any more." "I do not like you, for you are a very big woman. Every time you step the floor is broken. If you come again to Kadalayapan I will cut your head off. Do not come again to harm Aponibolinayen." He went home to Kadalayapan and he divorced Gimbangonan.
Not long after they went to the pasture and they rode on the back of a carabao. As soon as they arrived, all the jars rolled around them and stuck out their tongues and Aponibolinayen was afraid, for she feared the jars would eat them. The wide field was full of jars. Aponitolau gave them betel-nut and _lawed_ vine and salt. As soon as they fed them they went back home. Not long after Aponibolinayen said to Aponitolau, "We are going to Natpangan to visit my father and mother," so they went. As soon as they arrived there Aponibolinayen told her father and mother that Aponitolau had a pasture filled with many different kinds of jars, in the place of Kabinalan. When they had been in Natpangan ten days they returned home and Aponibolinayen's father and mother went with them and saw the jars. When they reached the field where the jars were they were afraid that the jars would eat them, but Aponitolau fed them. The father and mother of Aponibolinayen were surprised for there were many valuable jars which filled the wide field of Kabinalan. Not long after they went back home to Natpangan.
(Told by Angtan, a woman of Lagangilang.)
4
"Sinogyaman, come and oil my hair so that I can go to war," said Aponitolau. "And you, Sinagayan, put some rice in the pot and cook it, and also some fish for us to eat." Not long after she cooked, and Sinogyaman oiled his hair. When Sinagayan finished cooking they ate and started to go to Gegenawan where Asibowan lived. Sinogyaman and Sinagayan did not want him to go, but Aponitolau went anyway.
When he arrived at the edge of the town he stood still a long time, for he did not know the way to Gegenawan. A bird went to him and said, "Why do you stand here for a long time, Aponitolau?" "Why do you stand a long time, you say, and I am going to the town of Asibowan, whom every one says is a pretty girl," said Aponitolau to the bird. "Ala, Aponitolau, it is best for you to follow me and I will show you the way to the place where Asibowan lives." Not long after they went and they soon arrived at the town of Gegenawan. "Ala, Aponitolau, I leave you now for I have showed you the way," said the bird. So Aponitolau went alone to the house of Asibowan. When he reached the ladder of her house Asibowan was looking out of the window and she said, "Oh, there is a rich gentleman. How are you? Where are you going?" Aponitolau said, "I am going to Nagsingkawan, but I have lost my way and I thought that this was Nagsingkawan. I saw this house so I came to get a drink." "This is not Nagsingkawan. Come up and I will cook and we will eat." Aponitolau went up into the house and the girl gave him water to drink. She cooked and then she called him. "I do not want to eat yet. I will rest for awhile and eat when your husband comes," said Aponitolau.
Not long after, while they were talking he saw Asibowan break the fish stick and put it in the pot and he watched to see what would become of the stick. He saw that it became a fish. [135] She called often for Aponitolau to come and eat and he went and he said, "I want to wait until your husband comes, for it is not good for us to eat first, and it is not good for us to be eating when he arrives." "Come, it will be all right. We will eat now, and he can eat when he comes" said Asibowan. So he went to eat with her, for he was very hungry. He saw that she took all the rice and fish out of the pots, and there were only dishes for them. "What is the matter with this woman that she does not leave any fish for her husband?" he said to himself. While they were eating Asibowan told him that she did not have a husband and Aponitolau smiled. When they finished eating, they cut betel-nut for them to chew. "Now be patient for we must chew betel-nut, for it is not good for us to talk until we know each other's names." Asibowan said, "How can we chew betel-nut, for I do not chew for I am related to Kaboniyan?" [136] "You must chew anyway for we cannot tell our names unless we chew," said Aponitolau. When Aponitolau urged her a long time she took the betel-nut and they chewed. "Since you are the lady who lives here, it is best that you tell your name first," said Aponitolau. "No it is not good for a woman to tell her name first, so you must tell your name," said Asibowan. Not long after, "My name is Aponitolau of Kadalayapan who is the son of Langa-an and Pagatipánan, who goes to find a pretty girl who has power like me," said Aponitolau. "My name is Asibowan of Gegenawan, who lives alone in the field, who has no neighbors for this is my fortune," said Asibowan. So Aponitolau staid with her nine months and his father and mother were searching for him. They had many people searching for him and they killed many animals to feed the people until all their animals were gone. The bones which they threw away made a pile nine times as large as the _balaua_.
Asibowan became pregnant and not long after she gave birth. "What shall we call our girl?" said Aponitolau. "We will call her Binaklingan." When Asibowan bathed the baby it grew one span for she used magical power. So the baby grew one span every time. [137] Not long after she could walk, Aponitolau saw the pile of bones which the searchers had thrown away when they ate, and it was nine times larger than the _balaua_. "The best thing for us to do, Asibowan, is for us to go to Kadalayapan, for my father and mother are still searching for me and the people who are searching are eating all their animals." "The best thing for you to do is to go home and find a woman whom you should marry and then when you are married you make _Sayang_ [138] and I will come to Kadalayapan," said Asibowan, for it was not good for them to be married because she had less magical power than Aponitolau. "If you do not wish to go, I will take our daughter Binaklingan." "Wait awhile until we have commanded that a house be built for her to live in." Not long after they commanded that a house be made for Binaklingan, and it was all of gold. It was finished in the middle of the night and she used magic so that the golden house went to Kadalayapan.
When Aponitolau woke up early in the early morning he heard many roosters crowing and many people talking. "My daughter Binaklingan, how bad your mother is, for she sent us here to Kadalayapan without telling us," said Aponitolau. His daughter was very sorry but she played on the pan pipe. When it was morning Langa-an saw the golden house by their house. "Why there is a different house here. I think Aponitolau has arrived and maybe he is in that house," said Langa-an to Pagbokásan, [139] and Pagbokásan went outdoors. "Are you here Aponitolau? We had sought you for a long time, but did not find you. None of our animals are left alive," said Pagbokásan. "Why did you search for me? I told Sinogyaman and Sinagayan that I was going to fight. Did they not tell you?" said Aponitolau. "We thought that you encountered our old, dangerous enemies, for you have been away many months. Why do you have a daughter who is a young girl?" "Yes, Binaklingan who is here is my daughter, and her mother Asibowan with whom I lived for a long time did not want to come here to Kadalyapan, for she said I must find a girl suitable for me to marry and then we must make _balaua_ so that she will come to our town."
When they had been in Kadalayapan five days, they went to take a walk in the evening of the sixth day, and they went to the spring of Lisnáyan. As soon as he arrived at the spring he used magic so that all the pretty girls who never go outdoors felt hot and went to the spring to bathe. [140] Not long after Aponibolinayen felt very hot and she went to take a bath at the spring. Aponitolau saw her taking a bath and she looked like the half of a rainbow, and Aponitolau went to her, and Aponibolinayen saw him while she was bathing. "Do not wound me in more than one place so I will not have so much to cure." "If I was an enemy I would have killed you at once," said Aponitolau. Soon he cut a betel-nut into two pieces. "It is best for us to chew betel-nut for it is bad for us to talk when we do not know each other's names." Aponibolinayen did not wish to chew, but when Aponitolau urged her she chewed and they told their names. "My name is Aponitolau of Kadalayapan who is the son of Pagbokásan and Langa-an." "My name is Aponibolinayen of Kaodanan who is the sister of Aponibalagen who put me at the place close to the spring of Lisnáyan, for he does not wish anyone to see me, but you have found me." Not long after, while they were talking, Aponibolinayen used magic so that she vanished and she went among the betel-nuts on the branch of the tree. "Where did the girl go? I did not see her when she vanished," said Aponitolau to himself. Not long after he went home with his head bent for he was very sorrowful. When he arrived at their house, "Why are you bending your head Aponitolau?" said his mother. "What are you bending your head for? you say, and I went to the well of Lisnáyan and talked with Aponibolinayen, but after a while she vanished and I could not see her anymore." "Did you not give her any betel-nut?" asked his mother. "Yes, I did." "What are you so sorry for if you gave her betel-nut? you will find her bye and bye," said his mother.
On the second night he went again to Lisnáyan and he used his power so that all the young girls, were hot again so that they went to the spring. When he looked up where there were many betel-nuts he saw Aponibolinayen taking a bath. "I did not see you when you left me Aponibolinayen," said Aponitolau. "Now I am going to take you home." "No, do not take me for my brother will hate me. I do not want to go to your house." He took her to his town of Kadalayapan and he sent his mother to Natpangan to tell Aponibalagen that Aponibolinayen was in Kadalayapan. Not long after his mother Langa-an took her skirt and her hat which was like a bird and when she arrived at the gate of Kaodanan Sinogyaman was dipping water from the spring. "Niece Sinogyaman, where is the ford?" "Look there at the shallow place, for it is the ford." She took off her belt and she spread it on the water, and she rode on it to the other side, and then she took a bath. When she finished bathing she stood on a high stone and the drops of water from her body were agate beads with no holes. "How strange, the people of Kadalayapan are. They are very different from us," said the women who were dipping water from the spring. Not long after Langa-an put on her skirt, and when she finished she said, "Are you not finished dipping water, Sinogyaman? I want you to guide me to the house of my nephew Aponibalagen, for I have forgotten the way, for I have not been here for a long time." "No, I am not through, but I will show you the way, Aunt," said Sinogyaman, and she guided her.
When they reached the yard of Aponibalagen, "Good morning, Nephew." "Good morning, Aunt," he said to her. "Come up." Not long after she went up the stairs. "What are you coming here for, Aunt?" "What are you coming here for? you say. I come because I wish to see you." Not long after he went to get _basi_, and he had made her drink. When they had drunk, she said, "The other reason I came here, Nephew Aponibalagen, is that Aponitolau sent me, for he wishes to marry your sister." "I have no sister. I do not know what my mother did with her," he replied. "We have no daughter. Aponibalagen is our only child," said Ebang. While they were still talking they kept on drinking the _basi_. When the old woman Langa-an became drunk she told them that Aponibolinayen was in Kadalayapan, and Aponibalagen was surprised and his heart jumped. "I went to hide Aponibolinayen in Lisnáyan so that no one would see her, but now someone has found her." So Langa-an gave them the engagement present [141] and she asked how much they must pay as the marriage price. "You must fill the _balaua_ nine times," they answered. So Langa-an filled the _balaua_ nine times with different kinds of valuable things. As soon as she had paid the marriage price she went back home. When she arrived in Kadalayapan and reached the top of the ladder of the house she laid down and slept, for she was drunk. "How strange you act, mother. Why don't you tell us the news before you sleep?" said Aponitolau, and she said, "The engagement and marriage gifts were accepted."
In the afternoon they began to make _Sayang_. [142] Not long after the old woman Alokotán, who conducted the _Sayang_ and made them dance _Da-eng_, [143] arrived and she began to perform the ceremony. When it became morning, "You people who live with us, come and pound rice," said Aponibolinayen. So the people gathered and pounded rice for them. As soon as they finished pounding rice she commanded her _liblibayan_ [144] to go and get betel-nuts. When they arrived with the betel-nuts, "You betel-nuts come and oil yourselves and go to invite all our relatives, for we are making _Sayang_. Invite all the people except the old enemies," she said and when it became evening they made _Libon_ [145]
Asibowan was anxious to chew betel-nut and she went to search for one in the corner of her house and she found an oiled nut which was covered with gold. When she tried to cut it in two it said to her. "Do not cut me, for I came to invite people to attend the _Sayang_ of Aponitolau and Aponibolinayen." And Asibowan said, "I cannot go." "If you do not come I will grow on your knee," said the betel-nut. "No, go on my big pig." So the betel-nut jumped on the head of her pig and it grew very high, and the pig squealed. "Get off from my pig and I will come," said Asibowan. Late in the afternoon they saw her below the _talagan_. [146] "Asibowan is here now, Aponibolinayen, come and see her," said Aponitolau. So Aponibolinayen came and she took her to their house, and Iwaginan took two skirts and he made them dance. He danced first with Asibowan before he made the others dance and his wife Gimbagonan was jealous. When they finished dancing he gave the skirts to Aponibalagen and Sinagayan. As soon as Aponibalagen had finished Iwaginan made Aponitolau dance with Gimbagonan. While they were dancing Gimbagonan danced to the sound of the jars which she had about her neck and in her hair, i.e., she had necklaces of big jars and they stuck together so she could not hear the _gansas_. Not long after Asibowan wished to go back home. "Now I am going home, Aponibolinayen, for no one is watching my house," "No, do not go yet, for someone wants to marry your daughter Binaklingan." "I must go now, you take care of her." So she went back home and they did not see her. As soon as the _Sayang_ was over Dina-ogan was engaged to Binaklingan. Soon he paid the marriage price, and it was the _balaua_ filled nine times with valuable things.
Not long after all the people went back to their homes, and Aponibalagen was left alone and he acted as if he was drunk, but he was not drunk. He laid down in the _balaua_, and Aponibolinayen covered him with blankets. Not long after Aponigawani went outdoors for she felt hot, and Aponibalagen peeped at her. Not long after she went inside of the house and went into the ninth room, and Aponibalagen watched her. When it became night Aponibalagen went to the place where she was and Aponitolau did not see him. So he looked for her in the ninth room, and she was playing the pan pipe. While she was playing she saw a firefly, and she tried to hit it with her pan pipe, and Aponibalagen said "Do not strike me or you will hit my headaxe," and he became a man again. "How did you get in here?" said Aponigawani. "I came, because I saw you when I was lying in the _balaua_." He sat down beside her and tried to cut a betel-nut for her to chew. "We will chew betel-nut so we can tell our names," said Aponibalagen. She took the betel-nut and they chewed. "You tell your name first, for you live here." "No it is not good for me to tell my name first, for I am a woman. You are the first." "My name is Aponibalagen who is the brother of Aponibolinayen who is the son of Pagbokásan of Kaodanan." "My name is Aponigawani who is the sister of Aponitolau who is the daughter of Pagatipánan and Langa-an."
When they had been in the room nine nights Aponitolau went to see Aponigawani, and when he got to the room Aponibalagen was there. "Why are you here, brother-in-law?" said Aponitolau. "I am here, because I wish to marry your sister," said Aponibalagen. "If you want to marry her you must engage her and you come another day to make _pakálon_." [147] Not long after Aponibalagen went home and told his father and mother that they would go next day to make the _pakálon_ so he could marry Aponigawani. Aponitolau and his father and mother went to Kaodanan and took the marriage price before Aponibalagen and his people made the _pakálon_. Aponibalagen paid the same as Aponitolau did for Aponibolinayen. Not long after they returned to Kadalayapan and the next day Aponibalagen went and got Aponigawani. They danced for one month and then they took Aponigawani to Kaodanan, and all the people went home. This is all.
(Told by Lagmani, a woman of Patok.)
5
"Mother Dinawágan go and engage me to someone, for I want to be married. I like the sister of Aponibalagen of Natpangan" said Gawigawen of Adasin. "Yes," said his mother. So she took her hat which looked like the moonbeam and she started to go and when she arrived in Natpangan she said, "Good morning, nephew Aponibalagen." "What do you want here, Aunt?" he replied. "What do you want, you say, and I want to talk with you." "Come up, Aunt, and we will hear what you have to say." So he asked his mother Ebang to prepare food. As soon as Ebang had prepared the food and called them to eat, Aponibalagen went to get the _basi_ and they drank before they ate. And Ebang broke up the fish stick and put it in the pot and it became fish. [148] Not long after they ate, and when they had finished Aponibalagen said to Dinawágan, "Come and see this." "No, I better stay here." When Aponibalagen urged her she came in and he opened the _basi_ jar which was nine times inherited and as soon as they had drank Dinawágan said that she could not tarry for it was afternoon, "I have something to tell you, Aponibalagen." "What is it?" said Aponibalagen. "My son Gawigawen of Adasin wants to marry your sister." Aponibalagen agreed, so she gave a golden cup which looked like the moon as an engagement present, and they agreed on a day for _pakálon_. [149] Aponibalagen said, "Tomorrow will be the day for _pakálon_."
Dinawágan went home. "Did they accept our golden cup which looks like the moon, mother?" asked Gawigawen. "Yes. Tomorrow will be the _pakálon_," said the mother. Not long after she said, "All you people who live in the same town with us, prepare to go to the _pakálon_ of Gawigawen in Natpangan tomorrow afternoon." The people agreed and in the morning they truly started and they went. "You, my jar _bilibili_ which always salutes the visitors, go first; and you my jar _ginlasan_ follow, and you _malayo_ and _tadogan_ and you _gumtan_." [150] So they went first to Natpangan, and Gawigawen and the people followed them, and also eighteen young girls who were Gawigawen's concubines went also.
Not long after they arrived in Natpangan and Iwaginan and the other people went to attend the _pakálon_, and also many people from the other towns. When all whom they had invited arrived they agreed how much Gawigawen should pay for his wife. Aponibalagen told them to fill the _balaua_ [151] eighteen times with valuable things. So the _balaua_ was filled. Not long after they ate and when they had finished they went to the yard and they played on _gansas_ and danced. Iwaginan took the skirts and gave one to Nagten-ngaeyan of Kapanikiyan and they danced. [152] When she danced she looked like the spindle. She did not go around, but always moving and the water from the river went up into the town and the striped fishes bit her heels. Not long after they stopped dancing and Gimbagonan was jealous and she said "Ala, give me the skirt and I will dance next." "Do not say that Gimbagonan, for it is shameful for us," he answered her. Not long after he gave the cloth to Dakandokan of Pakapsowan. She danced with Algaba of Dagala. Not long after they finished dancing and Iwaginan made Aponibolinayen and Balogaygayan dance. He often went to fight in the enemies towns. Not long after Aponibolinayen went down from the house and the sunshine vanished when she appeared. She danced with Balogaygayan and when she moved her feet the water from the river went up again into the town and the fish bit at her heels as they did before. After they stopped Iwaginan made his wife Gimbagonan dance and she was happy when she danced with Aponibalagen. When they danced the big jars around Gimbagonan's neck made more noise than the _gansas_ and the jars said "Kitol, kitol, kanitol, inka, inka, inkantol."
As soon as they finished dancing the people said, "The best thing to do is to go home, for we have been here three months now." "We will take Aponibolinayen" said Dinawágan to the people who lived in the same town with her and she spoke to Aponibalagen. So they prepared rice and coconut soaked together and wrapped in leaves, and a cake made of rice flour and coconut shaped like a tongue, a rice cake, which was fried for Aponibolinayen's provision on the road. "You who live in the other towns who were invited, do not go home yet for we are going to take Aponibolinayen to Adasin," said Aponibalagen. Soon it became morning and they all went to Adasin and Gimbagonan carried two big baskets of cakes, and while they were walking she ate all the time and she ate half of them. When they arrived at the spring of Gawigawen of Adasin, they were surprised, for it was very beautiful and its sands were of beads, and the grass they used to clean pots with was also beads and the place where the jars sat was a big dish. [153]
"Go and tell Gawigawen that he must come here and bring an old man, for I am going to take his head and make a spring for Aponibolinayen," said Aponibalagen. So someone went and told Gawigawen to bring the old man Taodan with him to the spring. So Aponibalagen cut off his head and he made a spring and the water from it bubbled up and the body became a big tree called Alangigan [154] which used to shade Aponibolinayen when she went to the spring to dip water, and the blood of the old man was changed to valuable beads. Not long after they went up to the town and the place where they walked--from the spring to the ladder of the house--was all big plates. Gimbagonan sat below the house ladder, because they were afraid the house could not hold her, for she was a big woman, and she hated them and she said to Iwaginan, "Why do you put me here?" "We put you there because we are afraid that you will break the house and give a bad sign to the boy and girl who are to be married." [155]
Aponibolinayen covered her face all of the time and she sat down in the middle of the house, for Indiápan said that she must not uncover her face for her husband Gawigawen had three noses, and she was afraid to look at him. [156] But Gawigawen was a handsome man. Aponibolinayen believed what Indiápan had told her. Not long after Dinawágan spread the string of agate beads along the floor where Aponibolinayen sat. [157] After a month they were still there and the people from the other towns wished to go home, and Aponibalagen said to Aponibolinayen, "Ala, be good to your husband and uncover your face. We are going back home now." But Aponibolinayen would not uncover her face. Not long after all the people went back to their towns and Aponibolinayen's mother-in-law commanded her to go and cook. She did not uncover her face, but always felt when she went about, and when she had cooked, she refused to eat, but Gawigawen and his father and mother ate. When Gawigawen went to Aponibolinayen at night she changed to oil, and she did that every night, and they put the carabao hides under her mat so the oil would not drop to the ground. On the fifth night she used magic so that they could not see her go out and she dropped her beads under the house and then she became oil and dropped her body. So she went away and always walked and Gawigawen looked for her, for a long time. He went to Natpangan for he could not find her in any of the towns.
When Aponibolinayen was in the middle of the jungle she met a wild rooster which was crowing. "Where are you going Aponibolinayen?" it said to her. "Why are you walking in the middle of the jungle?" and Aponibolinayen said, "I came here for I am running away from my husband for I do not want to be married to him for he has three noses." "No, Gawigawen is a handsome man. I often see him, for this is where he comes often to snare chickens. Do not believe what Indiápan said to you, for she is crazy," said the rooster. Not long after she walked on and she reached the place of many big trees and the big monkey met her and said, "Where are you going, Aponibolinayen?" And she answered, "Where are you going, you say. I am running away because I do not want to marry Gawigawen." "Why don't you wish to marry Gawigawen?" "Because Indiápan told me he has three noses." The monkey laughed and said, "Do not believe that. Indiápan wants to marry Gawigawen herself. He is a handsome man." Aponibolinayen walked on and soon she reached a wide field and she did not know where she was. She stopped in the middle of the field and she thought she would go on to the other side.
Not long after she reached the ocean and she sat down on a log and a carabao came along. It passed often where she sat. Aponibolinayen thought she would ride on the carabao, and she got on its back and it took her to the other side of the ocean. When they reached the other side Aponibolinayen saw a big orange tree with much fruit on it. The carabao said, "Wait here while I eat grass and I will return soon." Aponibolinayen said, "Yes," but the carabao went to the place of the man who owned him and said, "Come over here, for there is a good toy for you." And Kadayadawan of Pintagayan said, "What is it?" "Come, hurry," said the carabao. So he combed his hair and oiled it and put on his striped coat and his clout and belt, and he took his spear and he rode on the carabao's back. Not long after Kadayadawan saw the pretty girl in the orange tree and he said, "How pretty she is!" And the carabao said, "That is the toy I told you about."
When they reached the orange tree Aponibolinayen heard him when he stuck his spear in the ground and she looked down and saw a handsome man. "Good morning, lady," he said. "Good morning," answered Aponibolinayen. Not long after they chewed betel-nut and they told their names. "My name is Kadayadawan of Pintagayan who is the son of an _alan_." [158] "My name is Aponibolinayen of Natpangan, who is the daughter of Pagbokásan and Ebang, who is the sister of Aponibalagen." Their betel-nut quids became agate beads and Kadayadawan said to her, "Ala, it is good for us to marry. I am going to take you home." So he took her to his home and he was good to his carabao, because it had found him a pretty woman. When they reached the house he put her in a room, and the _Ati_ [159] commanded the soldiers to call Kadayadawan. When they reached the yard of Kadayadawan's house they called "Good morning." And he looked out of the window and said, "What do you want?" "We came, because the king wants you and we came to get you." So they started and went. When they arrived where the king was, "Why Kadayadawan have you a pretty girl in your house? Every night I notice that your house appears as if it were burning." "No, I have not," answered Kadayadawan. "I think you have, for I notice the flames every night." "No, I have not. Where would I find a pretty woman?" [160]
Not long after he went back home. When he reached home Aponibolinayen said to him, "It is best for us to make _Sayang_." [161] And Kadayadawan asked, "How do we make _Sayang_ by ourselves? Our neighbors are all soldiers." "Do not worry about that, I will see," said Aponibolinayen. Not long after Kadayadawan took the betel-nuts and they oiled them and they sent them to the towns of their relatives to invite them to their _balaua_. The betel-nuts went. Aponibolinayen told Kadayadawan to go and get _molave_ sticks. When he arrived with them Aponibolinayen used magic and she said, "I use magic so that when I thrust the _molave_ stick in the ground it will become a _balaua_." Not long after the stick became a _balaua_.
The betel-nuts arrived in Natpangan and said to Aponibalagen, "We came to call you, for Kadayadawan of Pintagayan is making _balaua_." Aponibalagen said, "How can we attend the _balaua_ when we are searching for my sister?" "If you do not wish to come I will grow on your knee." "Go on my pig." So the betel-nut grew on the pig, and it was so high the pig could not carry it and it squealed very much. "Ala, get off from the pig and we will come." So the betel-nut got off and they started. "All you people who live in the same town come with me to attend the _balaua_ of Kadayadawan of Pintagayan." So they went. They arrived at the same time as Gawigawen of Adasin and they met near to the river. Not long after Kadayadawan saw them by the river and he sent the betel-nuts to carry the people across the river. When they were in the middle of the river Kadayadawan used his power so that their old clothes, which they wore in mourning for Aponibolinayen were taken off from them, and they were surprised, for they did not know when their old clothes had been taken off.
When they reached the other side Aponibalagen said to the people who lived with Kadayadawan. "We are ashamed to come up into the town, for we have no clothes." Then the betel-nuts told Kadayadawan and he said, "Ala, go and tell them that I will come and bring some clothes for them." Not long after he arrived where they were and he gave them some clothes to use. "Ala, take these clothes and use them, and come up to the town." But Aponibalagen and his companions were ashamed. Kadayadawan urged them until they accepted the clothes.
Soon they reached the town and they danced and Iwaginan and Nagten-ngeyan danced again and the water from the river went up into the town and the fish bit her feet. Not long after that they stopped dancing and Iwaginan made Gawigawen and Aponibolinayen dance. While they were dancing Gawigawen watched Aponibolinayen, and when they had danced around nine times Gawigawen seized her and put her in his belt. [162] "Why do you do that Gawigawen?" said Kadayadawan to him, and he threw his spear and Gawigawen fell down and Aponibolinayen escaped and Kadayadawan put her in a room. As soon as he put her in the room he went to bring Gawigawen back to life. Not long after he revived him, "Why did you do that, Gawigawen? I did not steal Aponibolinayen from you." And Gawigawen said, "Even if you did steal Aponibolinayen from me, she was my wife and I could not find her until now. That is why I put her in my belt, and Aponibalagen knows that she is my wife." And Kadayadawan said, "She is my wife now."
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Traditions of the Tinguian: a Study in Philippine Folk-LoreChapter III: Front Matter (3)
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