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In Santa Cruz known as bagbabolan or mananagámen. The people are warned of disaster or impending danger by various signs. A snake crossing the trail is an imperative order for the traveler to turn back; the call of the limokon is likewise a warning, while should one of the principals to any agreement sneeze during the negotiations the project would be delayed or abandoned. See p. 63 note.
If, however, it points to the left, in front, or in back, the Mandaya knows that the omen bird is warning him of danger or failure, and he delays or gives up his mission. The writer was once watching some Mandaya as they were clearing a piece of land, preparatory to the planting. They had labored about two hours when the call of the limokon was heard to the left of the owner.
He, when he had grown up, took his mother for his wife and from this union have sprung all the Mandaya. Quite a different account is current among the people of Mayo. From them we learn that formerly the limokon, although a bird, could talk like a man. At one time it laid two eggs, one at the mouth and one at the source of the Mayo river.
Although they, better than all others, know how to read the signs and warnings sent by the spirits, yet, all of the people know the meaning of certain omens sent through the medium of birds and the like. The call of the limokon is recognized as an encouragement or a warning and its message will be heeded without fail.
The people are instructed when to plant by the spirits who place certain constellations in the skies. These are the same for all the groups, although often known by different names. The limokon warns or encourages the traveler, while certain acts of the individual, such as sneezing, are looked upon as warnings from unseen beings.
These consist of a mall axe, working knife, and planting stick. We have already referred to the important part the limokon plays in the selection and clearing of a new plot of ground, and to the offerings made to the spirits when it becomes necessary to cut down certain trees.
A common method used by the spirits to communicate with mortals is through the call of the limokon All the people know the meaning of its calls and all respect its warnings. If a man is starting to buy or trade for an article and this bird gives its warning the sale is stopped.
Some informants stated that this is the name given to the first man and woman, who emerged from the limokon eggs. They are now true spirits who exercise considerable influence over worldly affairs. Other informants, including two ballyan denied any knowledge of such spirits, while still others said magbabaya is a single spirit who was made known to them at the time of the Tungud movement.
This close relationship of the limokon to the Mandaya is given as the reason why its calls are given such heed. A traveler on the trail hearing the cooing of this bird at once doubles his fist and points it in the direction from whence the sound came. If this causes the hand to point to the right side it is a sign that success will attend the journey.
But he was in such a hurry that he pressed his finger at the root, and it left a mark in the soft clay which you can still see on the faces of people. The Children of the Limokon One limokon laid two eggs, one at the mouth of the Mayo River and one farther up its course. After some time these eggs hatched, and the one at the mouth of the river became a man, while the other became a woman.
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