Category: Bilaan

In the Beginning

In the beginning, four beings lived on a tiny island with one bird. They sent the bird across the waters, and it returned with earth, rattan, and fruit. Melu, the greatest of the four, shaped the earth and planted seeds, creating a lush world. To populate it, they first attempted to make people from wax but failed. Using clay, they succeeded, leaving the mark of Melu’s hurried touch on human faces.

Source
Philippine Folk Tales
compiled and annotated by
Mabel Cook Cole
A.C. McClurg & Co., Chicago, 1916

► Themes of the story

Creation: The narrative describes the formation of the earth by Melu, the greatest of the four beings, who shapes the land and plants seeds to create a lush world.

Origin of Things: It explains natural phenomena, such as the presence of rattan and fruit-bearing trees, and cultural practices, like the mark on human faces attributed to Melu’s hurried touch.

Cultural Heroes: Melu and his companions serve as foundational figures who shape the world and humanity, playing a crucial role in the cultural heritage of the Bilaan people.

► From the same Region or People
From the , , lore

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In the beginning there were four beings, and they lived on an island no larger than a hat. On this island there were no trees or grass or any other living thing besides these four people and one bird. One day they sent this bird out across the waters to see what he could find, and when he returned he brought some earth, a piece of rattan, and some fruit. Melu, the greatest of the four, took the soil and shaped it and beat it with a paddle in the same manner in which a woman shapes pots of clay, and when he finished he had made the earth. Then he planted the seeds from the fruit, and they grew until there was much rattan and many trees bearing fruit.

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The four beings watched the growth for a long time and were well pleased with the work, but finally Melu said:

“Of what use is this earth and all the rattan and fruit if there are no people?”

And the others replied, “Let us make some people out of wax.”

So they took some wax and worked long, fashioning it into forms, but when they brought them to the fire the wax melted, and they saw that men could not be made in that way.

Next they decided to try to use dirt in making people, and Melu and one of his companions began working on that. All went well till they were ready to make the noses. The companion, who was working on that part, put them on upside down. Melu told him that the people would drown if he left them that way, but he refused to change them.

When his back was turned, however, Melu seized the noses, one by one, and turned them as they now are. But he was in such a hurry that he pressed his finger at the root, and it left a mark in the soft clay which you can still see on the faces of people.

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The Story of the Creation

In the beginning, Melu, a colossal being with golden teeth and pure white skin, created the earth from his dead skin. He shaped two humans but clashed with Tau Tana, who gave them upside-down noses. After rain endangered them, Melu fixed their noses, saving their lives. Grateful, the people obeyed his guidance, leading to the creation of more humans.

Source
Philippine Folk Tales
compiled and annotated by
Mabel Cook Cole
A.C. McClurg & Co., Chicago, 1916

► Themes of the story

Creation: Melu forms the earth from his dead skin and creates the first humans, detailing the origins of the world and humanity.

Supernatural Beings: The narrative features Melu and Tau Tana, both possessing extraordinary abilities and influencing the mortal realm.

Origin of Things: The tale explains the beginnings of the earth, human beings, and certain human features, providing cultural context for their existence.

► From the same Region or People

Learn more about Philippines peoples

In the very beginning there lived a being so large that he can not be compared with any known thing. His name was Melu, and when he sat on the clouds, which were his home, he occupied all the space above. His teeth were pure gold, and because he was very clean and always rubbed himself with his hands, his skin became pure white. The dead skin which he rubbed off his body was placed on one side in a pile, and by and by this pile became so large that he was annoyed and set himself to consider what he could do with it. Finally Melu decided to make the earth; so he worked very hard in putting the dead skin into shape, and when it was finished he was so pleased with it that he determined to make two beings like himself, though smaller, to live on it.

► Continue reading…

Taking the remnants of the material left after making the earth he fashioned two men but just as they were all finished except their noses, Tau Tana from below the earth appeared and wanted to help him.

Melu did not wish any assistance, and a great argument ensued. Tau Tana finally won his point and made the noses which he placed on the people upside down. When all was finished, Melu and Tau Tana whipped the forms until they moved. Then Melu went to his home above the clouds, and Tau Tana returned to his place below the earth.

All went well until one day a great rain came, and the people on the earth nearly drowned from the water which ran off their heads into their noses. Melu, from his place on the clouds, saw their danger, and he came quickly to earth and saved their lives by turning their noses the other side up.

The people were very grateful to him, and promised to do anything he should ask of them. Before he left for the sky, they told him that they were very unhappy living on the great earth all alone, so he told them to save all the hair from their heads and the dry skin from their bodies and the next time he came he would make them some companions. And in this way there came to be a great many people on the earth.

Running and expanding this site requires resources: from maintaining our digital platform to sourcing and curating new content. With your help, we can grow our collection, improve accessibility, and bring these incredible narratives to an even wider audience. Your sponsorship enables us to keep the world’s stories alive and thriving. ♦ Visit our Support page