THE BAKUNAWA LEGEND

There are several versions of the legend going around, but the core of it is about a Philippine Seaserpent or Seadragon.

One of the legends describes Bakunawa as the cause of lunar eclipses. It is entranced by the moon and likes to leap out and devour it, infuriating Bathala. Another legend says that the Bakunawa had a sister that was a turtle that controlled the tides. Whenever it went to land to lay eggs, the seas would follow, creating the high and low tides. When tribes attacked and killed the turtle, they incurred the wrath of bakunawa. In both stories, the tribes would either bang pots and pans to make noise or they would play musical instruments. It was supposed to calm the beast or distract it so that they could slay it. In other versions, to get it to regurgitate the moons it swallowed.

Another legend says that Bakunawa fell in love with a girl from one of the tribes. When the leader of the tribe discovered the affair, he set fire to the girl’s home. Bakunawa was enraged. It attacked the tribe and began to devour the moons. When Bakunawa was just about to swallow the last moon, Bathala stopped him and banished him from the sea.

Another legend also mentions that Haliya, the Bikolano goddess of the moon, is the archenemy of Bakunawa. 

OUR BAKUNAWA

In most of the legends, Bakunawa is portrayed as this ferocious beast that is feared by the tribes. In our take on the story, we made Bakunawa this playful, curious, innocent creature (almost like an otter cub, or perhaps a puppy). Also, with thoughts of the Loch Ness Monster in mind (and girl power awyea) , we decided to make the Bakunawa a female dragon.

Taking inspiration from the legend that says Bakunawa fell in love with a woman in the tribe, we also developed the character of a young girl who befriends Bakunawa, similar to Hiccup and Toothless in How to Train Your Dragon. In thinking of a name for the girl, we used the name of the goddess of the moon, further tying their stories together. (More information on Haliya coming soon)

REFERENCES

- Posted by Admin. Bakunawa “giant Serpent Mythology”. (April 14, 2013). Retrieved August 21, 2013 from http://www.iloilodinagyang. com/2013/04/bakunawa-giant-sea-serpent-mythology.html- (no author) Bakunawa. (no date) Retrieved Aaugust 21, 2013 fromhttp://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Bakunawa#.5E1