he Kapampangan people are an ethnolinguistic group residing in the Philippines, primarily in the central plain of Luzon, especially in the province of Pampanga. They also inhabit parts of other neighboring provinces, and their population numbered around two million in the early 21st century. The Kapampangan language, closely related to other central Philippine languages, belongs to the Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) family.
The Kapampangan homeland, extending north from Manila Bay, is characterized by a relatively high population density. Many Kapampangans are engaged in agriculture, with a significant portion working as tenant farmers and landless laborers. The artistic traditions of the Kapampangan people include pottery, jewelry crafting, lantern making, blacksmithing, and wood carving. The majority of Kapampangans adhere to Christianity, with Roman Catholicism being the predominant faith.
In the old times, the Kapampangan people had a rich mythology with a pantheon of gods and goddesses. Here are some of the key deities in the Kapampangan pantheon:
Mangetchay (Mangatia): The supreme deity who created life on earth in memory of his deceased daughter. In some versions, Mangetchay is considered the creator and net-weaver of the heavens and resides in the sun.
Daughter of Mechetchay: A daughter of Mangetchay whose beauty triggered a great war among the gods, resulting in the formation of the earth through stones thrown by the deities. She lived on the planet Venus.
Suku (Sinukwan): A gigantic being radiating positive traits. Suku married the goddess Makiling and fathered Malagu (goddess of beauty), Mahinhin (goddess of modesty), and Matimtiman (goddess of charm).
Aring Sinukûan: The sun god of war and death, residing in Mount Arayat. Aring Sinukûan taught early inhabitants various skills, including metallurgy, wood cutting, and rice culture.
Apolaqui: Sun god who engaged in battle with his sister, Mayari.
Mayari: The moon goddess who battled her brother, Apolaqui.
Apûng Malyari: Moon god residing in Mt. Pinatubo and ruler of the eight rivers.
Tálâ: The bright star credited with introducing wet-rice culture.
Munag Sumalâ: The golden serpent child of Aring Sinukuan, representing dawn.
Lakandanup: Son of Aring Sinukuan, the god of gluttony representing the sun at noon.
Gatpanapun: Son of Aring Sinukuan, a noble figure representing the afternoon.
Sisilim: Child of Apûng Malyari, representing the dusk and greeted by the songs of the cicada upon arrival.
Galurâ: Winged assistant of Aring Sinukuan, a giant eagle and bringer of storms.
Nága: Serpent deities known for their protective nature. They are considered talismans against fire.
Lakandanum: Variant of the Naga, ruling over the waters.
Lakandánup: Serpent goddess appearing during total eclipses, followed by famine. She eats a person's shadow, leading to withering and death. Lakandánup is the daughter of Aring Sinukuan and Dápu.
Apung Iru (Lord of the River): Depicted as a gigantic cosmic crocodile supporting the earth on its back. If angered, Apung Iru causes floods, and the yearly celebration called Bayung Danum involves a water procession to appease the deity.
Dápu: Crocodile deity holding the earth on her back, considered a nunu or earth goddess and known as the mother ocean.
Láwû: A giant creature resembling a mixture of a bird, a serpent, and a crocodile. Láwû seeks to swallow Aldó and Búlan, representing the soul of Dápu.
Batálâ: Kingfisher deity known as the father sky, swallowed by Dápu. Batálâ dissolved within Dápu, and his two souls emerged as Aldó (the white fiery bird) and Búlan (the red fiery bird).
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