A close analysis of the Bagobo Myth, entitled: "The Sun and the Moon"

The Bagobo people are an indigenous group from the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. They have a rich tradition of mythology and storytelling, which serves as a way for them to understand the world around them and their place in it. One of their most well-known myths is the story of the Sun and the Moon, which tells the origin of these celestial bodies and their relationship with the earth and its inhabitants.

According to the Bagobo myth, in the beginning, there was only darkness and chaos. However, there was a powerful deity named Manama who lived in the sky and had the power to create and shape the world. Manama decided to create the earth, and he did so by forming it out of clay and shaping it with his hands. He then placed it in the sky, where it hung suspended by a cord.

Manama then created the Sun and the Moon. He placed the Sun in the sky during the day and the Moon in the sky during the night. The Sun was represented as a woman, and the Moon was represented as a man. Manama gave the Sun and the Moon the power to create and sustain life on earth. He also gave them the responsibility of watching over the earth and all its inhabitants.

The Sun and the Moon had a close relationship, and they were always together. However, one day, the Moon became jealous of the Sun's brightness and power. He wanted to be as bright and powerful as the Sun, but he didn't know how to achieve this. So, he decided to steal the Sun's power.

The Moon created a magical charm that would allow him to steal the Sun's power. He waited until the Sun was sleeping, and then he cast the charm on her. The charm caused the Sun to shrink and lose her brightness, and she became weak and powerless.

The Moon was happy that he had succeeded in stealing the Sun's power, but he soon realized that his actions had serious consequences. Without the Sun's light and warmth, the earth became cold and dark, and all life began to suffer. The plants withered, and the animals began to die.

Realizing the error of his ways, the Moon felt remorseful and ashamed. He knew that he had to do something to fix his mistake. So, he went to Manama and confessed what he had done. Manama was angry with the Moon for his actions, but he also knew that the earth needed the Sun's light and warmth to survive.

Manama decided to punish the Moon for his actions. He banished the Moon to the sky during the day, where he would be forced to watch the Sun shine brightly and powerfully. Manama also restored the Sun to her former brightness and power, and he instructed her to shine her light and warmth on the earth to sustain all life.

The Bagobo myth about the Sun and the Moon is a powerful story about the consequences of jealousy and the importance of balance in the world. It also emphasizes the idea that the natural world is governed by powerful deities who have the power to shape and control it. Overall, this myth serves as a reminder of the deep connection between humans and nature and the importance of respecting and caring for the world around us.