The Moonlit Warrior Goddess of Bicol

 

Haliya Bicolano goddess of moonlight and arcenemy of the Bakunawa

The Moonlit Warrior Goddess 

Ang Mandirigmang Diyosa ng Liwanag ng Buwan

Sa mitolohiyang Pilipino, lalo na sa sinaunang kultura ng Bicol, si Haliya ay isang makapangyarihang diyosa na iginagalang ng maraming kababaihan. Kilala siya bilang kalaban ng dambuhalang ahas na si Bakunawa, na pinaniniwalaang lumalamon sa buwan.  Ayon sa mga kwento ang siya ay anak ng sinaunang bathala ng buwan na si Bulan.

Si Haliya bilang bathala ay sumisimbolo sa lakas, tapang, at liwanag ng buwan. Siya rin ang kapatid at tagapagtanggol ni Bulan, ang diyos ng buwan, na inilarawan bilang mahina at mas maamo. Sa kanilang dalawa, si Haliya ang kumakatawan sa katatagan at determinasyon. Kahit kapwa sila hinahangaan sa kanilang kagandahan, pinipili ni Haliya na magsuot ng maskara upang itago ang kanyang anyo, na nagpapakita na mas mahalaga ang lakas ng loob kaysa panlabas na anyo.

Inilalarawan si Haliya bilang isang napakagandang dalaga na may makinang at maputing balat na tila kumikislap sa liwanag ng buwan. Mayroon siyang mahabang itim na buhok at malalim na mga mata na parang hatinggabi. Kasama ang kanyang kambal na si Bulan, sila ay itinuturing na mga nilalang na makalangit dahil sa kanilang kakaibang ganda at alindog. Ayon sa alamat, bumaba si Haliya sa mundo matapos siyang hikayatin ng mga nilalang ng hangin na maligo sa tubig. Ipinapakita nito ang koneksyon ng mga diyos sa kalikasan at sa mundo ng tao.

The Moonlit Warrior Goddess:

Mayroon ding ritwal na tinatawag na “Halya” na isinasagawa tuwing kabilugan ng buwan. Sa ritwal na ito, lumalabas ang mga tao, nag-iingay gamit ang mga tambol at iba pang instrumento upang takutin si Bakunawa at pigilan itong kainin ang buwan. Sa paglipas ng panahon, ang simpleng pagdiriwang na ito ay naging mas espiritwal. Naniwala ang mga tao na sa pamamagitan ng ritwal, tinatawag nila si Haliya upang protektahan ang buwan at ang kanilang komunidad laban sa panganib at kadiliman. Nagiging bahagi rin ng selebrasyon ang kainan at kasiyahan, ngunit may kasamang paggalang sa mga diyos at sa kapangyarihan ng kalikasan.

Haliya moon goddess

Haliya Masked Goddess of the Moon

Physical Attributes and Beauty:

Depicted as a strikingly lovely young woman, Haliya possesses fair and radiant skin that seems to glow in the moonlight. Her long black hair and eyes as dark as midnight contribute to her ethereal beauty. Alongside her twin brother Bulan, they shine as celestial beings, captivating the heavens with their unparalleled grace and charm. The mask she wears becomes a symbol of her decision to shield her beauty from the admiration of others.

The Mythical Descent:

According to mythology, Haliya's descent to the earthly waters was influenced by the wind people, or Taong Lipod, who convinced her to bathe in the waters below. This act is significant as it emphasizes the connection between the divine and earthly realms. Haliya's interaction with the waters symbolizes her engagement with the forces of nature and the elements, showcasing her dynamic role in the mythology of Bicol.

Otherworldly Beauty:

Haliya's beauty is often described as otherworldly, with her fair and luminous skin radiating a celestial glow. Her long black hair, darker than midnight, echoes the characteristics of her twin brother, Bulan. This sibling pair, with their enchanting allure, becomes central figures in Bicolano mythology, capturing the imagination and reverence of those who worship them.

Halya and Bulan

 Summoning the Moon goddess in myths

"Halia" was a ritual performed during the full moon. Tribespeople would exit their homes, gather in the streets, and create a cacophony of noise to deter the serpent Bakunawa from devouring the moon. The ceremony also aimed to dispel malevolent spirits.

The ancient ritual of Halya, once a simple celebration of the full moon, gradually transformed over time into a mythical summoning of the goddess of the Moon, known as Haliya. As stories and myths evolve through generations, the Halya ritual took on deeper spiritual significance, incorporating elements of divine intervention and protection.

Originally, the festival of Halya was marked by extravagant festivities, characterized by the thunderous noise of drums, tambourines, and hollowed-out logs. The purpose of the celebration was to honor the full moon and ward off the threat of the Baconaná (Bakunawa), a feared creature believed to devour the moon, plunging the world into darkness. The disappearance of the moon during eclipses reinforced this belief, as the people interpreted it as evidence of the Baconaná's influence.

As the ritual evolved, so too did the mythology surrounding it. Over time, the people began to personify the protective forces of the moon, giving rise to the concept of Haliya, the goddess of the Moon. Haliya became a symbol of strength and defense, defending the male lunar deity Bulan from the threat of the Bacunawa

In the revised narrative, participants in the Halya ritual not only celebrated the beauty of the full moon but also invoked the protective powers of Haliya to safeguard their world from darkness and disaster. The ritual took on a deeper spiritual significance, as participants believed they were actively engaging with divine forces to ensure the prosperity and well-being of their community.

The culmination of the ritual was marked by feasting and revelry, as participants indulged in tuba and enjoyed the bounty of the land. However, underlying the festivities was a sense of reverence and awe for the mythical beings they invoked and the cosmic forces they sought to appease.

Thus, the ancient ritual of Halya transformed into a mythical summoning of Haliya, the goddess of the Moon, as the people's beliefs and traditions evolved over time.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance:

Haliya's stories and worship hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual heritage of Mythology in Pre-Hispanic Bicol. As the goddess of moonlight and a symbol of strength, she embodies the qualities that women in the region might have aspired to emulate. The concealment of her beauty through the mask underscores the idea that true strength lies not only in physical attributes but in the wisdom and fortitude that come from within.

Haliya, the moonlit warrior goddess, emerges from the pages of  Bicolano mythology as a captivating and multifaceted figure. Her role as the protector of Bulan, her mythical descent, and her otherworldly beauty contribute to the rich cultural and spiritual narrative of the region. Haliya stands not only as a symbol of celestial beauty but also as a representation of inner strength and resilience, inspiring generations with her timeless tales.

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.