Wednesday, November 2, 2011

DIWATA

In the Philippine mythology, a diwata or lambana is a mythological figure similar to fairies or nymphs. They are said to reside in large trees, such as acacia and balete and are the guardian sprits of nature, bringing blessing or curses upon those who bring benefits or harm to the forests and mountains. It is a Filipino spelling for the Sanskrit word devadha, but the name is ultimately derived from the Sanskrit word dev, meaning deity. A male diwata is also called encanto, and it resides primarily in the sea. It is customary for Filipino fishermen to offer meat and other delicacies to the encanto by throwing them into the sea, after a day’s bountiful catch.

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