Author's Note:
This story is inspired by the rich history of pre-colonial Philippines, drawing from the traditions, customs, and folklore of various indigenous tribes. While incorporating fictional elements, it aims to capture the essence of the archipelago's unique cultures before European colonization. In every chapter's end, I will provide meanings to unfamiliar words. Pardon me if the accuracy of some pre-colonial facts is not on point; research is challenging due to the limited information available, and also, the fucking colonizers burned the records lol.“
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Diwa...” he whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. "A slave, a serf. You are but a young woman, ignorant of the ways of the world; and if I were to kill you, you would be utterly defenseless..." The Rajah's voice grew gentle, sweet like honey. As he brushed aside my long hair, which served as my only covering, I realized he sought more than just my voice or my life.
“Yet... of all the lands I have conquered, of all the enemies I have slain... Diwa, I know you are the most...” He murmured softly in my ear. “Dangerous...”
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UNANG KABANATA - tr. CHAPTER 01
Ang iyong mga mata ay sinliwanag ng buwan
Your eyes shine as bright as the moon.
DIWA, YEAR 1500s
Day and night, I wonder why I am here on this earth. I cannot fathom what Bathala desires, but I am certain that every being in the world has value. The only thing I don't understand is whether someone like me has any value. Has Bathala abandoned me? Has he disregarded me and left me to suffer? I cannot comprehend it.
But one thing I am sure of... is that I am like all the other beings in the world--
Just like them, I can breathe. Every exhale and inhale are proof that I am still alive.
Like the animals I have cared for and killed, I have eyes, I can see. But I have no choice but to turn a blind eye and look away.
I can hear, too. The cries, the anguish, and the pleas of my fellow slaves are etched in my mind. It is no longer new to see their cold bodies the next day, not one of them ever returning.
I heard them with my ears, but I have no right to use my mouth to speak.
My body is mine, and I have the ability to use it -- but -- my soul is not my own, and it feels as if I am bound with no hope of escape.
I remember how it all began. When and where it started.
It was a full moon in the village of our Datu Talim. After offering a sacrifice to Bathala, I immediately went to my hut to rest after a long day of harvesting. I blew out the fire, and darkness flooded the surroundings.
I stayed awake as my mind raced.
My mother recently passed away, and I didn't know how to feel. She lived her life as a slave, without a husband because my father died early. She never became free, and I knew that would be my fate as well. I will die a slave, grow old, and perish without ever experiencing comfort.
I lay down and let out a soft sigh. I couldn't understand what it was about breathing, but to me, it sounded pleasant and I felt something strange every time I heard myself.
Slowly, I closed my eyes. The thoughts racing in my mind began to fade, and I was consumed by my own... spirit.
The next day, I would harvest again. Dayang would come to me to arrange a marriage with her older brother, who wanted to marry me. I didn't like him at all. I didn't want to marry that man, even if he cried tears of gold.
I never needed a man's help.
Nothing ever changed in my daily life. It was exhausting because my meaningless life ran in endless circles. Harvesting, helping to serve our Datu who also wanted to make me his concubine. I didn't want that old man, even though I wanted to become free. I would not sleep with that decrepit man.
"Diwa! Diwa! Are you there, Diwa--W-Wait, don't kill me-- No! No-- DIWA!"
I jolted upright when I heard the shouting outside...
What is happening?
I immediately stepped out of my hut, and I was almost speechless when I saw what was happening...
The... The surroundings.
The houses were burning! And from the shore, I saw... Raiders! They were on massive boats, slaughtering our warriors.
And we were losing. Our huts were close to the shore, so we needed to... Has the news reached our--
My eyes widened, and I couldn't move from my spot.
Will I die like my mother?
"Diwa!"
I quickly turned to the voice calling my name. I snapped back to reality and immediately recognized who it was. Our chief Babaylan. My legs trembled, but I forced myself to run towards her.
When I grasped the Babaylan's hands, I immediately wept. "W-What is happening? Why... Why are they..." I swallowed hard. "T-Tandang Huray--"
She quickly cut me off. "Diwa, this is one of my visions," she said. "But no one listened, and my warnings were ignored!"
My body shivered. I quickly pulled the old woman's hand, hoping to escape. But before I could take a step, I fell to the ground, pushed down and crashing into the grains we women were drying. I desperately searched for the Babaylan. But I screamed loudly when I saw a large man stab the chief Babaylan with his kampilan!
"Tandang Huray!" I cried as I watched her fall to the ground, her chest bloodied and...
I-Is she dead?
This can't be!
I quickly got up to approach the old woman. But a sharp object immediately pressed against my neck, causing me to kneel on the ground. I froze. I knew the man would thrust his kampilan into me if I tried to move.
I trembled as I looked up at him. In the light of the fire consuming our huts and belongings, I could clearly see his face.
A raider. He wore a magnificent headwrap, and every mark on his skin told me... he was not just an ordinary warrior.
The man stared at me intently. His eyes were as bright as the moon. And when his deep voice echoed, I knew... the outcome would not be good.
"Take all the valuables!" The tip of his kampilan pressed into my skin. "Capture the women, kill those who resist!"
Everyone shouted. It seemed they were delighted by the words of...
"Rajah Maisog! This is another victory!"
I whimpered softly.
Raiders from... afar. Wherever they came from...
They destroyed our beloved village.
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MEANINGS:
Datu - A title which denotes the rulers (variously described in historical accounts as chiefs, sovereign princes, and monarchs) of numerous Indigenous peoples in the Philippines
Rajah - A title used by rulers in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan. The title is related to the Sanskrit word "rāja" meaning king.
Kampilan - A type of single-edged sword used in the Philippines. The kampilan has a distinctive shape, with a long blade that curves upwards at the tip and a prominent wooden or metal crossguard. It was traditionally used by the datus and warriors of various Philippine ethnic groups, especially in the southern Philippines.
Babaylan - A shaman, healer, or religious leader in the pre-Hispanic Philippines. Babaylans were usually women, but there were also male babaylans called asog. They played important roles in their communities, serving as spiritual leaders, healers, and mediators between the physical and spiritual worlds.