legend of the BAKUNAWA

wonder | wander | women love watching the turns of the seasons and the phases of the moon; we're fascinated by the many legends around the world that explain these changes.

art by Mahala

In Visayan mythology there were seven moons, all siblings, so beautiful that a dragon wanted to eat them right out of the sky.

Bakunawa, the moon eater

This monstrous mix of sea serpent and dragon was called the BAKUNAWA, and lived at the bottom of the sea.

Warriors would borrow the power of the Bakunawa by carving its head into the hilts of their swords. This tenegre or "tiger-like" sword has a hilt of horn carved into the likeness of the Bakunawa.

Image by Lorenz Lasco, from Wikipedia

Bakunawa was drawn upwards by the beauty and brightness of the moons that the Creator placed in the night sky, and immediately ate six of the seven moons.

Bakunawa by mazingerpip on Deviantart

The creator Maka-Ako had to plant bamboo on the last moon, creating stains that diminished its mirrorlike beauty and repelled the Bakunawa.

To keep the Bakunawa from eating the last moon, whenever there was a lunar eclipse people would come out of their houses shouting and banging on whatever came to hand, making noise to drive the monster off.

A karakoa warship with the head of a Bakunawa,
18th century engraving, Wikipedia

There is a Hiligaynon children's song that was meant to be sung as a charm during lunar eclipses:

Ang bulan namon sang una, sang una	Our moon long ago, long ago
Guin ka-on sang bakunawa	Was eaten by the bakunawa
Malo-oy ka man, i-uli, i-uli	Please have pity, return it, return it
Korona sang amon hari.	The crown of our king.

It's a fascinating legend that has inspired folktales, dramatisations and many artworks over the years. May the Bakunawa live in our imaginations for many more!

Candice Sciortino/Mythka on Deviantart