The Nightsky of Bicol

In old Bicol , the night sky, moon, and stars were objects of fascination and romantic longing for various reasons. These celestial bodies held spiritual and mythological significance, serving as navigational tools for seafarers, influencing agricultural practices, marking cultural events, and inspiring romantic themes in traditional folklore and oral storytelling. The celestial elements played a vital role in daily life, contributing to the rich cultural heritage of both modern and indigenous people and shaping their worldview.

In pre-colonial Philippines, the night sky, moon, and stars held a profound significance and were objects of fascination and romantic longing for several reasons:

Spiritual and Mythological Significance (Bicol)

   - Pre-colonial Filipino societies had animistic beliefs, and they often associated celestial bodies with deities and spirits. The moon and stars, in particular, were believed to have divine qualities and were sometimes linked to creation myths and epic narratives. In Bicolano mythology the night sky was considered by many as the vast Celestial ocean, realm of the deity Tubig (Tubigan) and all the ancient Swimming monsters

 Navigation and Timekeeping:

   - The indigenous peoples of the Philippines were skilled seafarers and traders. The night sky served as a natural navigational tool for maritime activities. The position of the stars and the phases of the moon were used to determine direction, helping seafarers navigate the vast archipelago.

  Agricultural Practices

   - The pre-colonial Filipinos were primarily agrarian communities, and celestial events were often linked to agricultural practices. The phases of the moon, for instance, were essential for determining planting and harvesting seasons, as well as for other agricultural activities.

Cultural and Festive Observations

   - Celestial events often marked important cultural and festive occasions. The cycles of the moon, for instance, might be associated with the timing of rituals, celebrations, and festivals. The appearance of certain constellations might be linked to specific cultural practices.

Bulan at Haliya

Symbolism and Romanticism:

   - The moon and stars held symbolic meanings, representing love, beauty, and inspiration. The night sky became a canvas for poets and storytellers, and its beauty inspired romantic themes in traditional folklore, songs, and poetry.

Oral Tradition and Storytelling

   - In the absence of a written language, the pre-colonial Philippines relied heavily on oral traditions for passing down knowledge, stories, and cultural values. The night sky, with its celestial bodies, became a source of inspiration for myths, legends, and stories that were orally transmitted from one generation to the next.

Connection to Everyday Life

   - The movements of the moon and stars influenced daily activities, from timekeeping to religious rituals. Observing the celestial bodies provided a sense of order and connection to the broader cosmos, fostering a deep appreciation for the natural world.

The night sky, moon, and stars, therefore, played a multifaceted role in old Bicol  societies, serving as sources of guidance, inspiration, cultural identity, and romantic symbolism. The celestial elements were intricately woven into the fabric of everyday life, shaping the worldview and cultural expressions of the indigenous people in the Philippines.

Haliya goddess of moonlight

 astronomical terms found on Vocabulario de la lengua 

Compiled Jeremiah Cordial ❤️

𝗠𝗮𝗴̃𝗻𝗮 𝗬𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝗴̃𝗻𝗶𝘁  Astronomical terms in Bikol based on Vocabulario de la lengua Bicol by Maŕcos de Lisboa (d. 1628)

𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴- (or Aldaw) the Sun, its brightness and heat.

𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗻- star. A big star is called 𝗡𝗮𝗴𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴, literally referring to the emitted light from the sun. A particular star called 𝗣𝗼𝗴𝗼𝘁 is used as a sign of coming typhoon, while a particular group of three stars called 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 is used as a sign for typhoon season or impending storm. A group of stars are called 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗻.

𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴- the Southern Cross constellation.

𝗟𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴- the three stars found on Orion's belt.

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗼- Pleiades, or a cluster of stars.

𝗦𝘂𝘄𝗮𝗴- quadrangle of stars, used as a sign of midnight.

𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗹𝗮𝗴- Venus, first believed to be a star.

𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗮𝘄- comets and asteroids.

𝗞𝘂𝗹𝗼𝗽- solar or lunar eclipse.

𝗠𝗮𝗴̃𝗻𝗮 𝗬𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝗴̃𝗻𝗶𝘁 - Phases of the moon and words related to earth, tide, and night. Based on 1950 Kalendaryong Bikol and Notes from Vocabulario de la Lengua Bicol.¨

𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗻- the moon, the natural satellite of planet Earth.

𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗴- full moon. Written as 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 by Lisboa which lasts the whole night.

𝗚𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗮- new moon. Written as 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗮 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗺 by Lisboa which happens five to six days. 𝗡𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗮 means to become a new moon.

𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮- waning moon. 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗻 also means the same but takes longer in coming/fading out (from the word subang, to emit light).

𝗣𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗸𝘂𝗹𝗮- waxing moon.

𝗧𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗼𝗹- the tide rising as the moon becomes bigger. Also written as 𝗟𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗴 by Lisboa. I usually hear this word spoken as "tignarakol" but Lisboa spells it Tig̃narakol.

𝗞𝘂𝗯𝗼𝘀- the tide decreasing as the moon becomes smaller. Also written as 𝗨𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 by Lisboa. When the tide stops ebbing, 𝗔𝘆𝗮𝗮𝘆 is used.

𝗗𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗺- refers to the darkness when the moon is no longer seen above the sky.

𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗶- refers to the sun rising when the moon is still in its last quarter, as in 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗸𝗮𝘁𝗶 𝗻𝗮 𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗻. The word 𝗞𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁 is also used when the sun rises while the moon slowly disappears early in the morning.

𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗻- the Earth.

𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘆𝗮𝗽- the moon or sun when covered by the clouds, dimming their light.