FILIPINO MYTHICAL CREATURES

KIBAAN

By - Ethan Kyle S. Lopez

Mythical Creatures

The world is full of stories about mythical creatures, legendary beasts, and supernatural and god-like

beings. For thousands of years, humans everywhere—sometimes inspired by living animals or even fossils—have brought mythic creatures to life in stories, songs,

and works of art. Today these creatures, from the powerful dragon to the soaring phoenix, continue to

thrill, terrify, entertain, and inspire us. Some, such as the Loch Ness Monster or Sasquatch, continue to be "sighted" and sought to this day. While the origins of

these fabulous creatures are varied, and often disputed, they have played significant roles in human society, and have served to stimulate the imagination

and desire that is ingrained in human nature to experience more than this physical world. Whether

they truly exist in physical form is indeed secondary to their existence in the minds of so many people

throughout the world and through history.

Kibaan

The Kibaans are fair-skinned, their mouths gleam with gold teeth, heels point

forward and toes behind. They have long hair that reaches their feet, but they

are only as big as a two-year old child. They can be found in the Bangar tree,

in bushes and small trees frequently visited by “alitaptap” or fireflies at night.

By its frustration, it is kept in a mortal’s yard. It keeps the ground under its

tree home well swept. It has a kitchen where a spicy odor emanates from

after sunset. It sings in small groups on vines in groves while strumming tiny

guitars. The Kibaan steal yam from fire, but is fooled by stones roasted in

place of the tubers .It gives mortal friends a magic pot, purse, hat, net chain,

goat, whip and/or drum.

They are only one foot tall and have long wavy hair that serenely touches the

ground. They have sharp eyes and golden teeth so bright that they use to it

lighten their path. They have a high pitched voice and sweet singing voices.

Their feet are different from men as the tiny toes are at the back while the

smooth heels are at front.

The Kibaans reside in trees with many fireflies flickering in the dark and cooks

at sundown that smells like fresh crushed grass on a dewy day. They would

play tricks by stealing rice or fish from humans and even pulling strands of

human hair. They can shift their form into bamboo sticks. These benevolent

creatures give out treasures or magical items like pots to their human friends.

These are th

e Kibaan's weaknesse

s and also how to get

them away from you. Firs

t, the Kibaan likes pretty girls

with long hair. The Kibaan would stare at

it for hours

and wouldn't move a muscle.

Here's how to get them

away from you, show them pictu

res of ugly girls t

hat

look like men.

Kibaan The Story of the Kibaan

Kibaans are nomads. They are frequently seen trekking the mountains and walking on busy streets looking for something. Some said that they like picking stuff up like coins, buttons, pins pictures, rice and even clothes that you throw away and the Kibaan would place it inside it's big pouch that it treasures so much.

Another version of a story of the Kibaan I've heard is it would walk a whole mile looking for a person who threw some of the objects I've mentioned earlier and curse the person to aliment for throwing some such precious items. (For the kibaan, these items are EXTREMELY precious for them)

The Story of the Kibaan The Story of the Kibaan

The reason why their feet are reversed is so that the people who would try following him and would try to steal their precious pouch with all their loot. If you were able to steal the Kibaan's pouch and you also managed to hide it, the Kibaan would do anything to get it back. It would even tell you where to get precious treasures like gold and precious stones in exchange of the pouch filled with buttons, rice, coins and clothes.

The story of the Kibaan

I Think this is another story that our ancestors made to be more aware of the value of the things you throw like rice and clothes. Here is another story about the Kibaan, if it sees a pretty girl it would court her and even try marrying her. This is why young pretty girls wouldn't try combing her hair, wear make-up and wear shorts in public. The girls are afraid that the Kibaan might see them and try marrying them and courting them. This is another story made by our old ancestors.

Made by Ethan Kyle Lopez

Thank You For Reading!