Indonesian, Malaysian, and Philippine Origin Myths

Indonesian, Malaysian, and Philippine Origin Myths In the origin myths of insular southeast Asia, animals, humans, and plants are interrelated players. In Kalimatan, the Indonesian section of Borneo, the first woman springs from a tree destroyed in a struggle between the male and the female hornbill. In Ceram the heroine-goddess Hainuwele (see Hainuwele) is born of a mixture of blood and coconut sap. More generally, the first people descend from the heavenly region., Often, as in the case of Hainuwele, edible plants come from the body of a sacrificed hero or heroine (see Animism). Origin myths of the overall area usually include an explanation of the prevailing social order. Clan systems, for instance, are explained by myths of the descent of the first people at particular geographical locations. Nobility as opposed to commonness is explained by connections with particular deities. The origin myths often include stories of the adventures of culture heroes. In the Celebes, for example, the High God Patoto'e, sent his son La Toge ‘langi to Earth, where he took the title Batara Guru. On his way to Earth, the hero traveled in a bamboo stalk, where he formed the world and its species. After a period of fasting, Batara Guru sent for his wives and servants, and thus the first human beings were categorized according to class. As his principal wife, Batara Guru took the daughter of the king of the Underworld (see Underworld). When his first earthly daughter died, rice was formed from her body. Descendants of Batara Guru became the culture heroes of various groups (see Stone and the Banana).