Conception of the Universe (Cosmological Beliefs)

 Social Practices

 

Conception of the Universe (Cosmological Beliefs)

 

To paraphrase Melchor E. Orpilla's research, ancient Pangasinan folk "had names for heavenly bodies and scrutinized the skies, interpreting their signs for guidance in their seasonal activities as well as observed the interaction of the earth and the heavenly bodies for primeval wisdom."

 

He takes note of the following terms as part of Pangasinense cosmology:

 

Baba'y Buaya (chin of crocodile) - constellation under the constellation of Taurus, probably the constellation of Cetus (sea monster in Greek mythology)

 

Baggakan - a red star (Mars?), one of two stars (the other being Makuyot) viewed together as a sign to predict the volume of rain during the rainy season or the yield of rice during harvest season

 

Balaís - the constellation Orion or the zodiac sign Sagittarius; also: crossbow or lance used as a weapon for war or hunting

 

Bëtuag a Simbangan (balance) - either a star or a constellation and described in Spanish as “Las del eje del Norte a Sur” or the axis of north and south

 

Bitëwën Babúy - planet Venus

 

Bitëwën Baluto - constellation described as resembling a ship.  

 

Dalan/Dinalan na Biong nen Noe ("the path of Noah’s ark") - the Milky Way

 

Kabitëwënan - universe

 

Kabuntatala - morning star

 

Makabanglës - the star that appears on the western horizon at morning time

 

Makuyot - a big white star

 

Manipod or Mananipur - the star that appears the earliest on the western horizon as the sun sets

 

Maopo or Siete Cabrillas (seven goats in Spanish) - Pleiades

 

Nan-ikol a bitëwën - comet

 

Taí bitëwën - meteor or meteor shower

 

Closer to home, so to speak, Pangasinenses also had terms for the different phases of the moon, Orpilla found out:

 

kakilat (waxing crescent moon)

balon bulan (new moon)

dalemdem (waning crescent moon)

siglem (third quarter moon)

mansisiglem (waning gibbous moon)

tulay/sulaw (full moon)

mansusulaw (waxing gibbous moon)

ombabaleg (first quarter moon)

 

The people of Bayambang, in particular, are no different in their beliefs surrounding heavenly bodies. According to Glory G. Junio, 62 years old, of Brgy. Cadre Site, "No sulaw lay bulan, aga nayarin manames so tuo ta ampano natiris." (When it is full moon, you should not take a bath because you might go crazy.)

 

Julieta N. Alvarez, 48, of Brgy. Bacnono, believes that, "No say bulan et baleg, kapapaway na anyani." (When it is full moon, ghosts come out.)

 

Dominga C. Villanueva, 90, of Brgy. Bani avers that, "No say malukon atalaranan day bituwen ya binakwet, umpatey so anak da o sikaran duwa. (When the crescent moon has a star inside or the star is attached to the crescent moon, pregnant women who are laboring at the time will have bad luck. There is a possibility that her baby or both of them will die.)

 

Carmelita A. Macam, 66, of Brgy. Ligue believes that, "No paselek lay agew o bulan, aga nayarin mantanem iray dumaralos ta aga nabilay so itanem da." (When the moon or sun sets, the farmer should not plant because the plants will not grow.)

 

Ador C. Lomboy, 53, of Brgy. Tococ believes that, "No walay nanengneng mon tai na bituwen, ipikit moy matam insan unkerew kay pabor. Agka manduwaruway nunot ya gaween tan ta magmaliw a tuway kekerewen mo."

 

"Atay taiy bituwen so kamarerwa ya nanlapo ed purgatoryo. Nayari la ira ya unla ed tawen. Itdan to ka tan na swerte ed bilay mo." (A shooting star can bring you good luck when you make a wish. It is believed to represent souls that have been released from purgatory and are finally allowed to enter heaven.)

 

Carmelita C. Flores, 76, of Brgy. Zone 5 insists that "No say bulan et ampatuten toy agew, saray malukon, manames iray tuka ta piyan nasura tan agira nairapan ya mananak." (During a solar eclipse, a pregnant woman should take a bath of vinegar to avoid a difficult birth.)

 

Original Mappers: Rany S. Macam, Ericca J. Rosario, Glaiza Mae M. Flores, Jasmin T. Alvarez, Carla P. De Vera, Kenny Joy P. Lomboy

 

References: Melchor E. Orpilla, Facebook post, October 12, 2021, Alaminos City, Pangasinan; url: https://www.facebook.com/melchor.orpilla.1/posts/5277186398974894

 

Orpilla's Citations: Cuyas, revised and enlarged by Llano, English-Spanish and Spanish-English Dictionary, 1943; Fernandez Cosgaya, Diccionario Pangasinan-Español, 1865; Lunario ed Salitay Pangasinan; Oral tradition; Santiago Villafania, in conversation; https://astralrtu.wixsite.com/.../philippine-constellations