However, it would seem that some basic differences really exist, and
the probability is that they are survivals from the ancient cultures
of the peoples who went to make up the present distinctly composite
Ifugao group. But the evidence at hand is not sufficient to warrant
a full discussion of this question here, and I shall merely cite one
example. Kiángan myths are nearly always told from the standpoint
of the gods, and have to do with the dealings of the gods with one
another and with men. On the other hand, Central Ifugao myths are
told from the standpoint of men in their relations and dealings with
the gods. This will be made plain by a comparison of the following
Central Ifugao myth with the Origin of the Ifugaos previously given.
THE IFUGAO FLOOD-MYTH [60]
I
The Golden Age.--Ifugao knowledge of the prediluvian period is
very vague. It is known, however, that the Earth World was entirely
flat except for two great mountains, one in the east called Amúyao
and one in the west called Kalauítan. [61] This level country was
heavily forested, and all of the people lived along a large river
that ran through the central plain between the two great mountains.
The period was something like a Golden Age, when things were much
better than they are now. The people were demigods whose life
was a happy one and their country a sort of Garden of Eden. To
obtain rice, all that they needed to do was to cut down a stalk
of bamboo, which was plentiful, and split open the joints which
were filled with hulled rice ready to cook. Stalks of sugar-cane
were filled with baiyax, [62] and needed only to be tapped to
furnish a most refreshing drink. The river was full of fish, and
the forests were filled with deer and wild hogs which were much
easier to catch than those of the present day. The rice grains
of that time were larger and more satisfying, and a handful of
them was sufficient to feed a large family.
But this Golden Age, like others, was not destined to last.
II
The flood, and the origin of the mountains.--One year when the
rainy season should have come it did not. Month after month passed
by and no rain fell. The river grew smaller and smaller day by
day until at last it disappeared entirely. The people began to
die, and at last the old men said: "If we do not soon get water,
we shall all die. Let us dig down into the grave of the river,
for the river is dead and has sunk into his grave, and perhaps we
may find the soul of the river and it will save us from dying." So
they began to dig, and they dug for three days. On the third day
the hole was very large, and suddenly they struck a great spring
and the water gushed forth. It came so fast that some of them
were drowned before they could get out of the pit.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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