Tambanokano

A gigantic crab, the son of the Sun and the Moon. Each time the crab opens and closes his eyes there is a flash of lightning. It lives in a large hole in the bottom of the sea. When he is inside his hole there is high tide but when he leaves it, water rushes in, causing low tide. His movements also causes the great waves on the ocean's surface.

Occasionally he becomes so angry with his mother the Moon, that he tries to swallow her. When the people see the crab near her they shout and beat on gongs to frighten him away, thus saving the Moon.

References

Sources

  • Cole, Fay-Cooper. (1913). The Wild Tribes of Davao District, Mindanao. Chicago: Field Museum of Natural History, p. 172.
  • Cook Cole, Mabel. (1916). Philippine Folk Tales. Chicago: A.C. McClurg & Co.