The repopulation of the Earth World.--As soon as the earth was dry,
Wígan journeyed to Kalauítan where he found his sister Búgan,
and their reunion was most joyous. They descended the mountain
and wandered about until they came to the beautiful valley that
is to-day the dwelling place of the Banáuol clan--and here Wígan
built a house. When the house was finished, Búgan dwelt in the
upper part and Wígan slept beneath.
Having provided for the comfort of his sister, Wígan started out
to find if there were not other people left alive in the Earth
World. He traveled about all the day and returned to the house
at night to sleep. He did this for three days, and then as he
was coming back on the third evening he said to himself that
there were no other people in the world but themselves, and if
the world was to be repopulated it must be through them. * *
* At last Búgan realized that she was pregnant. She burst into
violent weeping, and, heaping reproaches on his head, ran blindly
away toward the East, following the course of the river. After
traveling a long way, and being overcome with grief and fatigue,
Búgan sank down upon the bank of the river and lay there trembling
and sobbing. [64] After having quieted herself somewhat, she arose
and looked around her, and what was her surprise to see sitting on
a rock near her an old man with a long white beard! He approached
her and said: "Do not be afraid, daughter! I am Maknóngan, and
I am aware of your trouble, and I have come to tell you that it
is all right!" While he was speaking, Wígan, who had followed his
sister, appeared on the scene. Then Maknóngan placed the sanction
and blessing of the gods upon their marriage, assuring them that
they had done right, and that through them the world must be
repeopled. He told them to return to their house, and whenever
they were in trouble to offer sacrifices to the gods. After
Búgan had become convinced in this manner, they left Maknóngan
and returned home.
In the course of time nine children were born to Wígan and Búgan,
five sons and four daughters. The four oldest sons married the
four daughters, and from them are descended all of the people
of the Earth World. The youngest son, who was named Igon, had no
wife. [65]