Jata

The earth goddess of the Ngaju Dayak. She lived in the primeval waters as a snake. Jata is part of a dual supreme being with the sun Mahatala; he is the upperworld and she the underworld. They represent the duality of all things — sun and moon, life and death, good and evil, peace and war, sacred spear and sacred cloth, etc. Mahatala and Jata created the world and the humans.

Although Jata is beneficent in some ways, she is also a destroyer. Also called Putir Selong Tamanang.

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