Notes on Filipino God of Death and Lifespans: Sidapa

Introduction

• Host: Dani
• Topic: Filipino god of death and lifespans, Sidapa.
• Context: Worship in traditional Visayan mythology and Ibalong folklore.

Characteristics of Sidapa

• Nature:
  • Originally considered cruel due to never knowing love or good food.
  • Dual nature: protector who extends lifespans and claims souls for the afterlife.
• Depiction:
  • Tall and muscular.
  • Crown of ten golden horns.
  • Associated with black butterflies.
• Residence:
  • Lives on Mount Majas.

Consort

• Bulan:
  • Husband of Sidapa.
  • Maintains significance across different narratives.

Transformation and Kindness

• Initially came to Earth as a beautiful yet fearsome woman.
• Touched by kindness from a slave who offered her food.
• Planted a tree to measure the lifespan of newborn humans.
• Transformed into the Black Horned God after experiencing kindness.

Role as a Protector

• Belief that prayers to Sidapa could extend lifespans.
• Claims souls already belonging to other deities and delivers them to Maguien for safe guidance to the afterlife.

Interactions with Lunar Deities

• Admiration:
  • Became enamored with seven lunar deities after witnessing their beauty.
  • Deities described as beautiful with luminous pale skin, long silky black hair, and clear black eyes.
• Conflict with other gods:
  • Defeated the god of war to protect the lunar gods.
  • Faced the goddess of tide and the god of the ocean, demonstrating strength.

Connection with Bulan

• Sidapa's actions: made flowers bloom, creating sweet perfumes.
• Created fireflies to guide Bulan down from the skies.
• Saved Bulan from an evil sea monster's attack, leading to an offer of love and partnership.

Conclusion

• Legend of Sidapa and Bulan: they sleep under the tree planted by Sidapa each night.
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Additional Notes

• Sidapa's story reflects themes of kindness, transformation, and the intersection of love and conflict in mythology.