Kulalaying

 

Buan - Kulalaying or Dalagang nasa Buwan – Goddess of the Moon

Buan, also known as Kulalaying in Tagalog mythology, one of the the Moon Goddess. According to ancient tales, the moon was revered as a luminous and divine being, taking the form of a beautiful maiden in Tagalog tradition.

dalagang nasa buwan

Moon gods were concidered evil and demons by the Spanish

The Moon Goddess Kulalaying, along with other moon deities, became victims of eradication due to foreign dominance and colonization. The imposition of foreign belief systems and customs marginalized native beliefs, relegating moon gods to the status of myths and legends. The Spanish rulers sought to abolish and eradicate the worship of indigenous gods, contributing to the fading recognition of Buan and other lunar deities.

Tagalog Moon goddess

The Tagalogs celebrated the new moon with grand festivities, offering heartfelt prayers for their deepest desires, such as wealth, bountiful harvests, noble spouses, good health, and longevity. The moon, referred to as "Buwan," was considered a deity, and specific prayers, like "Buwáñg Panginóon kó, payamá
nin mó akó" (Moon, my Lord/Lady, make me rich), were recited during the new moon.

Kulalaying or Dalagang nasa Buwan – Goddess of the Moon

Ang dalagang Nasa Bwan

The moon was also known by the name "Colalaiyng," representing both the celestial body and a mythical maiden within it. This moon entity was affectionately called "Dalágañg nása Buwán" (Maiden in the Moon). The appearance of a ring around the moon was interpreted as a forewarning of a chief's demise, showcasing the Tagalogs' keen attention to celestial signs.

Ceremonies dedicated to the Moon Goddess were performed during both the new moon and the full moon. Offerings, symbolized by roosters, were made as an expression of devotion. The moon was also referred to as "Dalágañg Binúbúkot" (Cloistered Maiden), connecting to the practice of cloistering observed among nuns or Muslim women.

kulalaying Tagalog Moon goddess

The arrival of Spanish colonization marked a shift in beliefs, as the Catholic Church and Spanish authorities associated indigenous deities, including the moon goddess, with paganism and demonic influences. The Spanish missionaries aimed to convert the native population to Catholicism, leading to the suppression of indigenous worship practices.

Kulalaying or Dalagang nasa Buwan – Goddess of the Moon