OKOT

Okot god of the hunt, forest and birds

Okot is the god of forests and of birds, and of the hunt in Bicolano Mythology. He is associated with the hunting of animals astuteness, wisdom, and craftiness in the hunt. The skills and equipment involved, He is venerated because it is he who provides food. He is depicted as a tall muscular man with brown skin  He hunts with a bow and arrow and is covered with beautiful leaves.

Okot
Effigy

According to legend he whistles or makes a whistling sound  when he wants is presence to be known. He also owns a golden belt which contains seeds and herbs that can cure any ailment. 

When the Spaniards converted the people of Ibalong into Catholics, the giant god Okot was bastardized by the foreigners. The Spandiards pushing their puritanical ideology on the people of ibalong, telling people that their so-called deity is nothing more than a tiny dwarf.

The Spandiards reinterpreted  of polytheistic deities as evil. The Spandiards did not deny the existence of Bikolano gods or spiritual beings. On the contrary, they claim other gods are not worthy of worship and in actuality are demons who mislead followers from proper belief or practice. Christian missionaries often employed demonization tactics when converting pagans. But to add insult to injury in the case of the god Okot, the Spandiards wanted to belittle him. Telling stories that their tall and towering god was actually a small and puny forest spirit.Title: Okot: The Belittled Guardian of the Forests in Bicolano Mythology

In  Bicolano Mythology, Okot stands as a revered figure, the god of forests, birds, and the hunt. His role is deeply woven into the fabric of survival for the Bicolano people, embodying astuteness, wisdom, and craftiness in the pursuit of sustenance. However, the arrival of the Spaniards and their attempts at cultural and religious conversion marked a tragic distortion of Okot's image, reducing this towering deity to a belittled and misunderstood forest spirit.

Okot's Divine Attributes:

Okot is venerated for his association with the hunting of animals, emphasizing the skills, wisdom, and craftiness essential for success in the hunt. As the provider of food, Okot is depicted as a tall, muscular man with brown skin, adorned with beautiful leaves. His attire includes a bow and arrow, symbolizing his proficiency in the hunt and connection to the natural world. Legends speak of Okot making a whistling sound to announce his presence, a testament to his mystical connection with the forests.

A notable feature is Okot's possession of a golden belt containing seeds and herbs with potent healing properties. This aspect of his character adds a layer of complexity, portraying Okot not only as a provider of sustenance but also as a healer, reflecting the symbiotic relationship between nature and the Bicolano people.

The Impact of Spanish Colonization:

With the advent of Spanish colonization and the subsequent conversion of the people of Ibalong into Catholics, Okot's divine stature underwent a grievous transformation. The Spaniards, driven by their puritanical ideology, sought to impose their religious beliefs on the indigenous population. In this process, Okot, once a towering deity revered for his role in the natural order, was grossly mischaracterized.

Okot

Okot, Bikol Spirit of the Chase and the Forest

“A type of good spirit, duende, that spoke through whistling.” - Blumentritt’s Diccionario mitologico de Filipinas

“… in the forest where I came from there is also a god called Ocot, the god of chase… I know several people in the forest whom I know turned to stone for disobeying the rules of the god.”  - from “Nahaponan”, Philippine Folk Literature - The Myths Compiled and Edited by Damiana L. Eugenio, p. 181

The Belittling of Okot:

The Spaniards, in their reinterpretation of polytheistic deities as evil, did not deny the existence of Bicolano gods or spiritual beings. Instead, they propagated the idea that these deities were unworthy of worship, branding them as demons leading followers astray. This demonization tactic was frequently employed by Christian missionaries during the conversion of pagans. Okot, in particular, faced additional insult as the Spaniards aimed to belittle him further.

Stories circulated by the Spaniards depicted Okot, the god of forests, as a mere dwarf—a diminutive forest spirit. This deliberate attempt to diminish Okot's stature sought to undermine the cultural identity and beliefs of the indigenous population, eroding the reverence once held for this powerful guardian of the forests.

Okot
Diwata ng pangangaso

Okot's journey from a revered god of forests and the hunt to a belittled forest spirit underlines the impact of Spanish colonization on indigenous beliefs. Despite the attempts to distort his image, Okot remains a symbol of resilience in Bicolano Mythology, reminding us of the intricate connections between cultural identity, spirituality, and the enduring power of the natural world. As Okot's legacy endures, his tale serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities embedded in the clash of cultures during historical periods of colonization.

Despite the calculated efforts to diminish Okot's stature, the Bicolano people did not easily abandon their deep-rooted reverence for their guardian deity. Okot, though relegated to the status of a purportedly insignificant forest spirit by the Spaniards, continued to embody the essence of the forests, birds, and the hunt in the hearts and minds of the indigenous population.

Okot turned into a dwarf .. belittlement of the forest god

Okot

Throughout history, foreign invaders and colonizers who sought to control the Philippines often targeted the indigenous beliefs and practices of the Filipino people as a means of consolidating their power. This process of undermining local religions and their deities was a common tactic used to facilitate colonization and cultural assimilation. 

Okot, the Hunter God:

In Bicolano mythology, Okot is celebrated as the god of the hunt, possessing unparalleled skills and craftiness in tracking and capturing animals. He is often depicted as a tall, muscular man with brown skin, reflecting his connection to the natural world. Adorned with beautiful leaves, Okot symbolizes the harmony between humanity and the environment, emphasizing the importance of sustainable hunting practices.

Okot

The Skills and Equipment of Okot:

Okot's hunting prowess is exemplified through his use of a bow and arrow, showcasing his mastery over the art of hunting. The symbolism behind these tools extends beyond physical capabilities, representing the balance required in the relationship between man and nature. Okot's skills and equipment emphasize the importance of resourcefulness, wisdom, and the responsible utilization of natural resources.

Veneration of Okot:

Bicolanos venerate Okot not only for his role as the god of the hunt but also as the provider of sustenance. The god's ability to ensure the availability of food reinforces the connection between the spiritual and material realms. Communities offer reverence to Okot, recognizing the delicate balance between taking from nature and giving back.

Okot

Legendary Whistling and Golden Belt:

Legend has it that Okot announces his presence with a distinctive whistling sound, a signal to those who seek his favor or acknowledge his significance. Furthermore, Okot is said to possess a golden belt containing seeds and herbs with extraordinary healing properties. This belt reinforces the god's role as a provider, not only of sustenance but also of remedies for ailments.

Spanish Colonization and Distortion:

The arrival of the Spanish colonizers brought about a drastic shift in the Bicolano way of life, including their spiritual beliefs. The Spaniards sought to impose their religious ideologies on the indigenous people, undermining the significance of their deities. Okot, in particular, fell victim to a malicious distortion by the Spaniards who attempted to discredit him.

Transformation into a Tiny Dwarf:

The Spanish colonizers, driven by their puritanical ideology, disparaged Okot by claiming he was nothing more than a small and puny forest spirit, a stark departure from the tall and towering god revered by the Bicolanos. This distortion aimed to belittle Okot, portraying him as inconsequential in comparison to the foreign religious figures introduced by the Spaniards.

The story of Okot in Bicolano mythology serves as a poignant reminder of the cultural and spiritual challenges faced by indigenous communities during colonization. The betrayal of Okot reflects the broader pattern of the Spanish colonizers demonizing polytheistic deities and imposing their own religious beliefs on the Bicolano people. Despite the attempts to distort Okot's image, the essence of this revered god continues to endure in the hearts and stories of those who cherish the rich cultural tapestry of Bicolano mythology. 

Okot, the god of forests, birds, and the hunt in Bicolano Mythology, endured a painful transformation during the period of Spanish colonization. The deliberate attempts to belittle this towering deity by portraying him as a dwarf did not succeed in eradicating the profound connection between Okot and the Bicolano people. Instead, Okot's resilience stands as a testament to the enduring power of cultural identity and the unwavering commitment of a community to safeguard its traditions. As the Bicolano people continue to celebrate festivals like Daragang Magayon, they not only honor Okot but also reclaim their narrative and reinforce the significance of their cultural heritage.

REMINDER

The orally transmitted mythology of the Philippines is intended for sharing and understanding, not for appropriation, commercial exploitation, or the promotion of foreigners and foreign products. It is a dynamic narrative tradition that evolves over time, distinct from the standardized mythologies found in Western and European cultures. Unlike these established mythologies, the Philippine government has not mandated standardized versions of stories and legends.

Orally transmitted stories undergo variations and evolve over time, resulting in numerous different versions. There are many different version told by Filipinos,and retold by Filipinos.