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The Wild Tribes of Davao District, Mindanao - The R. F. Cummings Philippine Expedition by Fay-Cooper Cole
page 170 of 211 (80%)

Several stories accounting for natural phenomena and the origin of the
tribe were heard. One of these relates that the sun and moon were
married and lived happily together until many children had been born to
them. At last they quarreled and the moon ran away from her husband who
has since been pursuing her through the heavens. After the separation of
their parents the children died, and the moon gathering up their bodies
cut them into small pieces and threw them into space. Those fragments
which fell into water became fish, those which fell on land were
converted into snakes and animals, while "those which fell upward"
remained in the sky as stars.

A somewhat different version of this tale agrees that the quarrel and
subsequent chase occurred, but denies that the children died and were
cut up. It states that it is true that the offspring were animals, but
they were so from the time of their birth. One of these children is a
giant crab named _tambanokaua_ who lives in the sea. When he moves about
he causes the tides and high waves; when he opens his eyes lightning
appears. For some unknown reason this animal frequently seeks to devour
his mother, the moon, and when he nearly succeeds an eclipse occurs. At
such a time the people shout, beat on gongs, and in other ways try to
frighten the monster so that he can not accomplish his purpose.[106] The
phases of the moon are caused by her putting on or taking off her
garments. When the moon is full she is thought to be entirely naked.

[106] The writer found almost identical beliefs and practices among the
Batak and Tagbanua of Palawan.

According to this tale the stars had quite a different origin than that
just related, "In the beginning of things there was only one great star,
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