The story of the creation of the world is variable throughout the
whole Agúsan Valley. In the district surrounding Talakógon, the
creation is attributed to Makalídung, the first great Manóbo. The
details of his great work are very meager. He set it up on posts
(some say iron posts) with one in the center. At the central
post he has his abode, in company with a python, according to
the version of some, and whenever he feels displeasure toward
men, he shakes the post, thereby producing an earthquake, and at
the same time intimating to man his anger. It is believed that,
should the trembling continue, the world would be destroyed.
In the same district it is believed that the sky is round and that
its extremities are at the limits of the sea. Somewhat near these
limits is an enormous hole called the navel of the sea through
which the waters descend.
It is said that in the early days of creation the sky was low,
but that one day a woman, while pounding rice, hit it with her
pestle and it ascended to its present position.
Another version of the creation, prevalent among the Manóbos of
the Argauan and Híbung Rivers, gives the control of the world to
Dágau, who lives at the four fundamental pillars in the company of
a python. Being a woman, Dágau dislikes the sight of human blood,
and when it is spilled upon the face of the earth she incites the
huge serpent to wreathe itself around the pillars and shake the
world to its foundations. Should she become exceedingly angry,
she diminishes the supply of rice either by removing it from the
granary or by making the soil unproductive.
Another variation of the story to be heard on the Upper Agúsan,
Simulau, and Umayan Rivers, has it that the world is like a
huge mushroom and that it is supported upon an iron pillar in
the center. This pillar is controlled by the higher and more
powerful order of diuwáta, who on becoming angered at the actions
of men manifest their feelings by shaking the pillar and thereby
reminding men of their duties.
Three points in the beliefs just mentioned should be kept in
mind. First, the recurrence of the idea that the earth world is
supported by a post created by the chief deity and near which he
dwells. Second, the belief in the púsod nang dágat, or "navel of the
sea," which is common to all of the pagan tribes of Mindanao and was
also known by the ancient Bisáyas, Tagálogs, and other peoples now
Christianized. It is extremely probable that this belief originated
from some great whirlpool, known to the ancestors of the Philippine
peoples or passed by them on their voyages. [11] Third, the belief that
the sky was once very near the earth, and was raised to its present
position by some deity. This belief is also common in northern Luzon.
The idea of the origin of curious-shaped rocks, hills, or mountains
by petrifaction of some living animal or plant is common in the
Philippines. Garvan gives the two following Manóbo legends of this
character: