The Rice Myth (Bohol Version)

There was a time, many, many years ago, when rice was not known to our people. At that time
our ancestors lived on fruits, vegetables, birds, and wild animals which they caught while hunting in the
mountains or the forests. Tilling the soil was still unknown. And poultry and hog was not yet a part of
their way of living. Because our people depended on the food which nature provided and not what they
themselves grew or raised, their stay in one place was only temporary. When there was nothing more to
be hunted or gathered in a certain place, they would go to another region where there was plenty of
food. Thus, they travelled from one place to another. But our ancestors were proud, thankful and
happy. They were proud of the things they had- their brown skin, the race to which they belonged, and
the customs and traditions which they practiced. They were thankful to
Bathala, their god. And they were happy in the manner of living which they led. On a typical day, the
men could be seen going to the mountains or forests to hunt, while the women and small children could
be seen busily engaged in such useful tasks as fishing and gathering of fruits and
vegetables. After a day’s work, all wild animals that had been killed in the hunt and all fruits and
vegetables that had been gathered, would be divided equally among all the group of families which
made up the balangay .
One day, a group of hunters went out to hunt deer. In their desire to have a good catch, they traveled
far and wide until they reached the Cordillera Mountains. Having traveled so far, and feeling dead tired,
they decided to take a rest under a big tree. It was nearing noon and all of them were hungry. While
resting in the shade of the tree, they saw, not far from where they were, a group of men and women
whose features were quite different from those of ordinary mortals. The hunters realized that they were
gods and goddesses who lived in that part of the mountain. All at once the hunters stood up and gave
the deities due respect. The gods were glad of this gesture. In return, they invited the hunters to join
them in their banquet. The hunters helped in the preparation of the food. They butchered the deer and
wild boar and then placed them one after another over the live coals. In a short while, a servant of the
gods got some bamboos and placed them over the fire. The bamboos contained small, white kernels
shaped like beads. Soon after, the cooked kernels were placed in saucer-shaped banana leaves. The
table laden with roasted meat, cooked vegetables, and fresh fruits. Other bamboos were brought in and
these contained what looked like pure water. The hunters soon learned that the crystal-like substance
was not water but rather, the wine of the gods. At first, the hunters were reluctant in joining the feasts
–after seeing the small, white kernels. “We do not eat worms,” the chief hunter said.

The gods smiled. “These white bead-shaped kernels are not worms,” replied one of the gods. “They are
cooked rice. They come from a certain kind of plant which we ourselves grow. Come and feast with us.
After we have eaten, kill us if you find anything wrong from eating rice.”
After hearing the god’s words, the hunters did not argue anymore. They feasted with the gods. They
were satisfied and happy, not because they were fed but because of the energy they felt after eating
cooked rice. Their weak bodies became strong. After the feast, the hunters thanked the gods.