The Tales of Tikum Kadlum

AUTHOR'S NOTES

GOD COUNTRY: THE PLACES & GODS OF VIJAYAS

VIJAYAS: inspired by VISAYAS-

In the story, it is a group of islands in the midst of the Great Archipelago, known for ancient magic, mysterious creatures, numerous devatas, and shadowy fiends from other dimensions.

BUGLAS : old name of NEGROS Island-

In the story, the city-states here export shells and marine bounty. Datus with Bornean/ Kalimantan lineage occupy the port towns of Buglas and a large number of babaylans (shamans) congregate here too. Often describe by non-natives as a very strange land full of lore and ancient magic.

In the story, Ati tribes populate the inland region of Buglas- leaving ruins, sentinel stones and carve figures of their Taglugar deities around. The tribes here venerate myriad devatas and other lesser spirits. But most pray to Kanlaon / Kang Laon - god of time (Central Buglas) & Lidagat - goddess of the sea, most of the devotees of this deity congregate in Buglas' port towns.

ANANIPAY : old name of PANAY-

In the story, the people here, export salt and woven clothes with the panubok patterns. Also known for the Tumandok tribe, who won fame during the First Rebellion.

The people of Ananipay mostly venerate the god of rainbows, Varangao. While the scattered ati tribes in the low-lands pray to the divine Taglugar, god-spirits who dwell in the deep forests. They are also guardians of nature and the punishers of all who desecrate it.

BO-OL : old name of BOHOL-

In the story, their main export is gold and various minerals. Also known for its artificers and weapon smiths. Most of the Living blades in Vijayas are forged in this place too. It is also called the gateway to the south by some Vijayasans. And is often describe by travellers as a very strange land due to its numerous hills. The people here mostly venerate the god Panlinugan, devata of earthquakes and Burigadang Sinaklang Bulawan, goddess of greed and gold.

IRONG-IRONG : old name of ILOILO-

In the story, Irong-Irong trade agricultural products like rice and corn/ wild maize. This place grew prosperous after the First Rebellion against the Makaporos nga Datuk in the city-state of Madia-as. Farm towns or villages devoted to farming littered the flatlands of Irong-Irong. Its people mostly venerate the goddess Magayon Lalahon- for her fertility aspect to help in their harvest. Some tribes also pray to other devatas.

ZUBU : old name of CEBU-

In the story The Songs of Strife, they are famed for the Daragangans (timawa class warriors) who defended the Rajahnate and Chiefdom of Zubu against the traitors and raiders from the south (decades after the Tales of Tikum Kadlum). Zubu is also the seat of the Rajahnate in Vijayas. Corn/wild maize is their main crop, followed by precious metals like copper and silver which they trade to other city-states and foreign traders. Its people follow various gods or devatas, but the majority venerate Kaptan, sky-god. Zubu is only mentioned in passing during the events of Tales of Tikum Kadlum. But it is the main setting of The Songs of Strife.

ISLAND OF SORCERERS : inspired by SIQUIJOR-

In the story, not much is really known about this island. Once ruled by Sri Kihod the sorcerer-king, a leader who dabbled in black magic and consorted with demonkind.

Sri Kihod's infamy has made other Vijasayans wary of his little island kingdom, making trading with the other islands difficult. His successors (the buruhisans who became manghihiwits or hexslingers) are said to have beguiled the people from the south, and hoardes of Magalos to avoid his domain and instead attack the northern city-states of Vijayas.

Although fewer in number, the tribes in this place venerate Nagmalitong Yawa, goddess of lust and monsters, and also her partner, Saragnayan, demi-god of darkness and ruler of all Gadlum. And lastly, Maguayen- ferry woman of the dead and the ruler of the vast seas.

It must be noted that Sri Kihod is not the first to be considered the sorcerer-king. Many before him claimed that rank but only few surpassed him in infamy.

MADIA-AS-

One of the grandest city-state in all of the Great Archipelago. The people here venerate many gods and some obscure cults. The leader of all kenadatuan (chiefdoms), the Makaporos nga Datuk, reside in this place. Some god-touched individual still  say that the devatas of Vijayas still roam its myriad temples and secret alleys.

In the story, it is mentioned a couple of times and Mount Madi-as near it is considered as a place of power and home of the major devatas.

***Author's Note***

Although most of the names of places in the story are "somewhat" historically accurate, their depiction, on the other hand, is not bound by any historical record. I took artistic liberties in the story to make a rich and varied setting (although not much of the information here are explicitly stated in the Tales of Tikum Kadlum). I just wanted a guide of the world the characters inhabit for me to use as I told the story.

I also visited all of the actual places and they are all pretty great vacation destinations (especially Siquijor, love it and was mildly disappointed that there were no actual manghihiwits there).

If you read this, please visit those wonderful places! Visayas is the best specially during summertime!

This and the rest of the worldbuilding elements I used in Tales of Tikum Kadlum and Songs of Strife could also be read in THE LAND OF DEVATAS: BAGANI SAGA PRIMER

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