Balladeer’s Blog continues its examination of this epic myth of the Bukidnon people of the Philippines.
PART FIVE
The massive craft called the Salimbal at last arrived and landed on the mountaintop where Baybayan and his hundreds of surviving followers had gathered. The bells which had signaled its approach were saliyao bells, the same bells worn by Philippine dancers on their ankles and neck.
Music from the Salimbal filled the air and sprites from the Skyland home of the gods hovered around the ship sent down by the supreme deity Magbabaya. The craft shone even more brightly than the sun itself and could be seen for miles around.
One by one Baybayan invited his disciples to approach the entranceway to the divine craft. Two kampilan swords hung above that doorway and as each of the pilgrims sought entrance to the Salimbal the swords remained motionless for the truly pure of spirit. When any disciples who were judged unfit to reach Skyland tried to enter the craft the kampilans would turn on their hilts like on hinges and slice that would-be passenger in two. Continue reading
RATOVOANA – This demi-god was the son of a deity and a Vazimba, Madagascar’s version of elves or Menehune. Ratovoana was born through the procedure known in the west as a Caesarean Section instead of the usual birth through the vaginal pathway. Such births were regarded with a certain supersitious awe in the ancient world and the children thus born were considered to be destined for great things. 
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