Wednesday, October 13, 2021

PNU USAP Tayo: Women and Literature: Stories. Storytelling and Sacred Sexuality (2 of 3)

I turn to folk literature and a book by woman writer who has become my companion at the onset of my early midlife crisis. Let me share with you the myth of Tungkung Langit and Alunsina and the folk tale, Baubo, The Belly Goddess from the book by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Women Who Run with the Wolves (Ballantine, 1992). In these two works of literature, I find some answers to the above questions. For the time being, at least



-      Show video of TL and A from Sentro Rizal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOjNuirEBnk


The language used in the myth to essay the roles of Tungkung Langit and Alunsina, as man and woman are pronounced as traditional stereotypes. This is evident when the storyteller said “…tinatag ang unang kaayusan ng mga bagay-bagay” and “isaayos ang kilos ng sanlibutan” pertaining to the work of Tungkung Langit in the universe, versus the description of Alunsina and the nature of her labors as “masayahin at mapagwalang bahalang diwata” and “pagtitipon at pagapapalipad ng maliligayang kaisipan”. There is already a dileniation in the roles that they play in shaping and creating the universe, the elements and the worlds with in it. Tungkung Langit as man suggests order and an organizer while Alunsina brings forth joy, beauty and a dose of frivolity. Tungkung Langit’s role is serious and essential in setting straight the complexities of the cosmos while Alunsina provides the aesthetic in the celestial heavens. This assignment of roles apparently is the cause of their conflict.

Tungkung Langit regards Alunsina as an accessory thus, when he went off to do his duties as god, he did not consult Alunsina nor tell her of his important work in creation. This led Alunsina to doubt. What happened next is a bitter break up wherein Tungkung Langit rendered himself vulnerable and forever in longing for Alunsina. In effect, the world was created out of this pain and grief. But what a sorry start to begin life and living about in a new world. Nabuo ang mundo sa hinagpis at sama ng loob. Alunsina’s joy and frivolity are nowhere to be found in this creation story. However, the story of Tungkung Langit and Alunsina is a creation myth favored by many feminists because the later did not submit to the whims and temper of the former (Almario, 2021). Alunsina, having  her own mind made the decision to leave. She never looked back.

Don’t you think there is a need to rewrite this creation myth or retell another version when allowed? Maybe come up with an extended version, like a myth making exercise where the roles of men and women in the process of creation are examined in equal footing.


The second tale I am to read aloud to you comes from the book, Women Who Run with the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes. She retells Baubo, the Belly Goddess and how she pulled Demeter out of her depression eventually finding Persephone from Hades’ realm.

-        Read Aloud from Kindle: Baubo the Belly Goddess from Women Who Run with the Wolves (Estes, Ballantine Books, 1992)

What struck me in this story is the bond that transpired between two women deities and the manner in which one helped the other rediscover the source of her creative power. Baubo, being described as a woman’s reproductive organ is indicative of the valuable sexuality that females possess. It is a sexuality that moves women to acknowledge her role in creation and in the restoration or rebuilding of worlds either one’s own, that of another, and even an entire society or nation. This sexuality, therefore is sacred because it is life giving.

Estes speak of the life-death-life process in the entire book. A cycle that is present in the very nature of women. We go through cycles like the waxing and the waning of the moon. With it is the ebb and flow of our passions, our desires and inner strength. We grow and age along with the seasons. There we find the dying of the self but also, the rebirth unto our own identity. Whatever we find there, the source of our creative power is in the sexuality and sensuality of our being that is both healing and vitalizing.

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