Guardian of the Elemental Kingdom

      

 

     The Tikbalang is a creature of Philippine folklore that is said to be living in the mountains and forests of the Philippines. Old people described the tikbalang as a bony humanoid creature that has the head and feet of a horse. Its torso is that of a human’s torso. It has long limbs disproportional to its body. Overall it has a disproportional body that its knees even reach above its head when it squats down.

       Tikbalangs are said to be the guardians of elemental kingdoms. They are somewhat the security forces in the supernatural world. They are often found standing at the foot of large trees spotting for anyone who would dare harm the elemental kingdom.

      They are also said to scare travellers in the forest leading them astray. Tikbalangs usually play tricks on these unlucky travellers. They would use a spell wherein the travellers would just keep on coming back on the route they originally take. In the local dialect, the spell is called mino. According to the stories of the old, in order to counteract this spell is by wearing one’s shirt inside out.

      Tikbalangs can get married to another tikbalang through their unique wedding ceremony. Well I suppose that mythical creatures may also have their romantic and civilized side. It is said that if it is raining even if the sun is up, then a tikbalang is getting married. After the rain, then the supernatural world already have a newly- wed couple!

     According to stories, a tikbalang can actually be tamed. If a person could tame a tikbalang, then he or she can make that tikbalang his/her servant. Acquiring this may need hard work. One must obtain one of the three sharp spines in its mane. The tikbalang must be subdued first by leaping onto it and tying it with a special rope intended to catch tikbalangs. If the person would be able to successfully subdue the tikbalang, despite of its struggle, then the service of that tikbalang will be acquired.

     The tikbalang is one of the coolest mythical creatures in the Philippine context. If you would have a chance to encounter one while doing a travel in the forest, will you take the challenge of subduing it and probably acquiring the guardian of elemental kingdom to be your servant?     







http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tikbalang