Local Myth of T'boli Tribe

The T’boli (Tagabili to lowlanders) are an animist ethnic group inhabiting highland areas in southwestern Mindanao, centering on Lake Sebu (TauSebu is another of the people’s names). Their immediate neighbors are the Manobo and Bilaan, other animist upland peoples (with whom they are often in conflict). The T’boli rely on Muslim traders for contacts with the lowlands and maritime trade.
In the T’boli origin myth, the god D’wata warns humans of a coming deluge. La Bebe, La Lomi, T’mefeles, and La Kagefhide inside a huge bamboo. After the waters recede, the four split their way out of the bamboo. La Bebe and La Lomi married, becoming the ancestors of the Christian Filipinos. La Kagef and T’mfeles also join and go on to produce 10 sons and daughters. Of these, Bou and Umen are the ancestors of the T’boli. The other 8 form couples; their descendants are the other non-Christian peoples of Mindanao, both Muslim and non-Muslim.

The T’boli culture is richly connected with, and inspired by nature; their dances  mimic the action of animals such as monkeys and birds. The T’boli have a rich musical culture with a variety of instruments, but the T’boli music and songs are not meant for entertainment only. The Tribal songs are a living connection with their ancestors and also a source of ancient wisdom. The T’boli believe that everything has a spirit which must be respected for good fortune. Bad spirits might cause illness and misfortune, while the opposite is also true.

T'boli Deities

Kadaw La Sambad – The sun god and supreme god. Married to Bulon La Mogoaw, they reside in the seventh heaven. They begot seven sons and daughters who end up marrying each other.

Bulon La Mogoaw – The moon goddess and supreme goddess, wife of Kadaw La Sambad.

Cumucul – The eldest son who was given a cohort of fire, a tok (sword), shield, and the magical horse, Kaunting, who can be as small as a mouse when not ridden and who can be kept in a box (This reflects the honor given by the Tboli to eldest sons and the value they accord horses). Cumucul is married to Boi Kabil.

Sfedat – The second son who married his sister, the second daughter, Bong Libun. This marriage produced no progeny, leading to Sfedat’s despondency. One day, he asked his wife to kill him. His corpse became land from which sprouted all kinds of plants and trees.

Dwata – The third son who married two of his sisters, Sedek We and Hyu We. His request for one of the powers granted Cumucul is refused. Thus, he left the sky with his wives and seven children from Hyu We (Litik, Blanga, Teme Lus, Tdolok, Ginton, Lmugot Mangay, and Fun Bulol) and six from Sedek We. For a place to stay, he asked Bong Libun for the land that was once Sfedat’s body. Bong Libun agreed on the condition that she married one of his sons. Dwata spread the land, and planted the trees and other vegetation; the result is earth. The first people were created after Dwata breathed life into the clay figurines made by Hyu We and Sedek We. However Dwata did not fulfill his side of the bargain with Bong Libun, because his sons will not have her as wife.

Litik – The god of thunder.

Blanga – The god of stones and rocks.

Teme Lus – The god of wild beasts.

Tdolok – The god of death.

Ginton – The god of metallurgy.

Lmugot Mangay – The god of life and of all growing things.

Fun Bulol – The god of the mountains.

“T’boli Ritual” by Nestor Santiago

Reference:

Clark, J. (2017, June 11). T'boli Myths & Deities | Beliefs of the Philippines. Retrieved from https://www.aswangproject.com/tboli-deities-myths/