[47] Ceremonies to the búni, accompanied by prayers and sacrifices. [↑]
[48] A version of the same type, but very different in detail, is contained in the unpublished notes of Mr. Roy Franklin Barton. I have also several others from the same area (Kián͠gan Ifugao) that were collected by Lieut. Maximo Meimban. [↑]
[49] For bibliographical reference, see Villaverde, loc. cit. [↑]
[50] Manaháut is the greatest and most hated evil deity of the Ifugaos. [↑]
[51] The memory of cannibalism so common in Ifugao mythology possibly dates back to a period of contact with human cannibals. [↑]
[52] The Ifugao version of the story states that the sky was so low that it interfered with the plying of the spear, while the Manóbo story relates that the rice pestle would strike against it. It is possible that this myth dates back to cave-dwelling ancestors—for the low roof of a cave would be an inconvenience of the same character as that which is here ascribed to the sky.
A further proof of this is the following Tagálog myth furnished me by Mr. Roberto Laperal: “In former times the sky was very low and could be touched with the hand; when men were playing, they would strike their heads against it whenever they jumped upward. This made them impatient, and one day they began to throw stones at the sky. The great god Bathala was very angry and removed the sky to its present position.” [↑]
[53] For bibliographical reference, see footnote 36. A less complete version of this myth, differing somewhat in detail, is given by Barton in the second manuscript mentioned in footnote 29. [↑]