The Gods Must Be Crazy: A Philippine Mythology Podcast

Latest Episodes:

47: MARRY MY DEAD BODY | Ghost Marriage Practices Around the World Nov 19, 2023

Show notes

47: MARRY MY DEAD BODY | Ghost Marriage Practices Around the World

We’ve all heard stories of love living on after death, but is it possible for love to BEGIN after death?

In this episode, we veer slightly off the beaten path and explore the little-known practice of Ghost Marriage. Finding its roots in ancient China and India, you would be surprised to learn that the practice still lives on in various forms to this day: in provinces in rural China and India and in Chinese diaspora communities around the world.

How exactly can a marriage take place when both parties are no longer living? How does one go about finding a match in the afterlife? How can a practice meant to ensure the happiness of departed loved ones lead to greed, grave-robbery, and even murder?

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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.

You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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References/Further Reading:

https://www.ancient-origins.net/weird-facts/posthumous-marriage-0018586

https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/ghost-marriages-love-living-and-deceased-003658

https://www.vice.com/en/article/5d33ez/dead-babies-married-decades-after-their-deaths-india

https://www.vice.com/en/article/m7vey8/livestream-ghost-marriage

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-37103447

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/04/china-imprisons-men-ghost-marriage-corpse-bride

https://coconuts.co/singapore/features/secret-city-have-you-been-to-a-ghost-wedding-in-singapore/

The Ghost Bride Book: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/16248223

The Ghost Bride Series (Netflix): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9690302/

The Ghost Bride Film (Philippines): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7582830/

Marry My Dead Body Film (Netflix): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22742964/

Note/s: While Marry My Dead Body (2022 Film) does indeed feature queer themes, it is, sadly, more of a comedy than a romance. Yeah, we know, we’re disappointed, too.

46: UNDER THE SEA | Magwayen, the Hiligaynon Goddess of the Underworld and of the Sea Nov 05, 2023

Show notes

46: UNDER THE SEA | Magwayen, the Hiligaynon Goddess of the Underworld and of the Sea

Talk about a career shift! How does a Goddess who co-created humanity (the first ever collab) end up being a psychopomp and ruler of the underworld? What in pre-colonial Visayan belief would make you end up in the “good place,” and what do crocodiles have to do with it?

In this episode, we learn about Magwayen’s quite unexpected journey, her family, the traditions of the pre-colonial Visayans, dragon battles, and her magical shells. We also dive into (pun intended) Magwayen’s depictions in modern day and how she still continues to inspire from the depths of the underworld and sea.

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You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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References/Further Reading:

https://www.hellapinay.com/article/2016/11/16/magwayen-bisayan-goddess-of-the-sea

Visayan Myths of the Philippines, Pinoy-Culture, Philippine Folklore Stories by John Maurice Miller

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/how-the-visayans-honored-the-dead

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/300558/how-ancient-visayans-revered-the-dead

https://vizayanmyths.blogspot.com/2013/05/magwayen-maguayan.html

https://diwatahan.tumblr.com/post/145514840518/b-i-s-a-y-a-n-m-y-t-h-o-l-o-g-y-s-e-r-i-e-s

https://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magwayen

https://www.tipplehampercompany.com/gin-bottles/psychopomp-magwayen-gin/

https://www.instagram.com/magwayenbistro/`

45: MY EYES ARE UP HERE | Mebuyan, the Bagobo Goddess of Death & Chief of the Underworld Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

45: MY EYES ARE UP HERE | Mebuyan, Bagobo Goddess of Death & Chief of the Underworld She’s more than just a pretty face… and a body covered in breasts. In this episode, we make our first foray into the deep and rich mythology of the Bagobo people. In another installment of our Walang Kamatayang Mini-Season, we cover Mebuyan, the Goddess of Death, and Chief of the Bagobo underworld. She is the being who welcomes the dead into the afterlife, and nurtures young souls to get them ready for paradise. How can this mysterious being be all at once a symbol of fertility, motherhood, and death? Join us as we learn about how a sibling squabble turned men into mortals, why the Bagobos feared the sky more than the underworld, and the strange link between bariatric surgery and immortality. — The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast. You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram). — References/Further Reading: A Study of Bagobo Ceremonial, Magic and Myth. 1916. Laura Watson Benedict. New York Academy of Sciences. A Structural Study of Bagobo Myths and Rites. 1969. Pieter Jan Raats. University of San Carlos, Cebu.

KOZY KWENTO EP 2: My Son-in-Law, The Devil | Philippine Folktale Retelling Oct 15, 2023

Show notes

KOZY KWENTO EP 2: My Son-in-Law, The Devil | Philippine Folktale Retelling

What do you do when the devil himself wants your daughter’s hand for marriage? Enter a protective mother, a vagabond with gambling problems, a princess with the strongest migraine (but without any speaking lines), and hijinks ensue.

In this Kozy Kwento episode, we cover the Kapampangan folktal of “The Devil and the Guanchinango” as well as the Tagalog’s “Mabait and the Duwende” documented in Filipino Popular Tales by Dean S. Fansler.

In the full Patreon-exclusive version, you’ll also get to hear the story of the “The Soldier and Death” (A Russian folktale adapted in Jim Henson’s The Storyteller. You can access that here: (PATREON LINK)

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You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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References/Further Reading:

Filipino Popular Tales. Dean Spouill Fansler. The American Folklore Society. 1921.

44: NOT TODAY, SITAN | Sitan, The Tagalog God of Death in Philippine Folklore Oct 08, 2023

Show notes

44: NOT TODAY, SITAN | Sitan, The Tagalog God of Death in Philippine Folklore

At the moment of death, where did the pre-colonial Tagalogs think they would go, who would decide where they would go, what kind of reptilian psychopomp would ferry them there, and who will rule in their village of rest (or grief)? These and many other questions will be answered in this week’s episode.

This October, we’re covering the different beings and entities representing Death in Philippine mythology, folklore, and urban legends. In this second episode, we’re covering the Sitan, the Tagalog god of death, and his agents.

Join us as we explore the musical pratices around our favorite Tagalog death holiday, Undas, find out why you should be wary of mysterious fires below your house (or any fire, actually), and discover why a happy marriage could just make you a target from a malicious demon. Also, learn the not-so-direct path of how how Sitan came to the Philippines, by way of trade, conquest, and the value of a really good story.

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You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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References:

https://www.aswangproject.com/tagalog-deities-in-philippine-mythology/

https://www.aswangproject.com/sitan/

https://religer.org/philippine-tagalog-sitan/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souls_in_Filipino_cultures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04IC1tjKWHw&t=86s

43: KNOCK KNOCK | ANG KUMAKATOK, The Death Messengers of Philippine Folklore Oct 01, 2023

Show notes

43: KNOCK KNOCK | ANG KUMAKATOK, The Death Messengers of Philippine Folklore

What do you do when there’s a mysterious set of knocks on your door in the middle of the night? Don’t answer it, for it may just be a portent of death.

This October, we’re covering the different beings and entities representing Death in Philippine mythology, folklore, and urban legends. In this first episode, we’re covering the mysterious entity known only as the Kumakatok.

From the war-ravaged streets of Old Manila in the 1940s, mysterious ‘cult-killings’ in the 80’s, and the strange paranormal surveillance sightings during the COVID lock-downs, these mysterious beings haunt the doorways of prospective victims, warning them of their terrible, unavoidable fate.

Join us as we explore the lore of the Death Knock beings in the Philippines, learn of modern-day sightings, and the strange and eerily-similar beliefs that exist in Celtic, African, Balinese and Native-American mythologies.

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You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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References/Further Reading:

Trinidad: The Three Who Knock. Sison, Antonio D. (2021). Journal of Critical Perspectives. https://www.asj.upd.edu.ph/mediabox/archive/ASJ_57_2_2021/16_Trinidad_The_Three_Who_Knock.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumakatok

https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/The-Mythology-Behind-the-Mysterious-Sinister-Knockers-of-the-Philippines

https://www.thesummitexpress.com/2021/04/fear-mindanao-demonic-cult-attack.html

https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/deaths-cult-like-group-leadership-feud-davao/

https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=82909&page=1

https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4498605/4385166/4509519

https://www.tumblr.com/myhauntedsalem/189705241702/three-knocks-an-old-superstition-states-that-when

https://www.nowbali.co.id/late-night-visits/

https://darktales.blog/2019/03/28/the-banshee-irelands-heralds-of-death/

https://seeksghosts.blogspot.com/2014/12/death-harbinger-three-knocks.html

[REBROADCAST] 13: MUMMY MIA, HERE WE GO AGAIN | Death, Burial & the Afterlife in Pre-Colonial Philippines (Part 2) Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

As we gear up for the spooky season, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes. Here's one where we learn about the death & burial practices of our pre-colonial ancestors in Visayas and Mindanao, and how your social class could impact your fate after death.

Enjoy!

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EPISODE 13: MUMMY MIA: HERE WE GO AGAIN (PART 2) | Death, Burial and the Afterlife in Pre-Colonial Philippines

As we close-out the series on this fascinating topic (for now), we move further south and explore the death & burial practices of our pre-colonial ancestors in Visayas and Mindanao.

In this episode we learn how burial practices differed by social class. Find out the perks and perils of being a slave in the pre-hispanic era, rituals one underwent to try and ‘save’ the dead, and just what price a tribe was willing to pay to send off their Datu properly. We also learn about the early origins of the crying ladies, and the strange things they’d have to include in their eulogies for the deceased.

[Trigger warnings for some descriptions of gore and slight sexual themes.]

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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds, and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We also welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes.

You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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SOURCES:

Scott, William H. Barangay: Sixteenth-century Philippine Culture and Society. Quezon City, Manila, Philippines: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1994. Print.

Suarez, Michelle, et. al. A Lolong Time Ago: A Pre-History of the Philipppines. Tahanan Books for Young Readers. 2016. Print.

Indonesian Torajan Tribe - Death & Burial Practice (National Geographic):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCKDsjLt_qU

[REBROADCAST] 12: MUMMY MIA | Death, Burial & the Afterlife in Pre-Colonial Philippines (Part 1) Sep 24, 2023

Show notes

As we gear up for the spooky season, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes. Here's one where we learn about the Philippine's own 'The Mummy Returns', the beliefs behind the manunggul jars and why the hanging coffins of Sagada exist.

Enjoy!

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In this episode (Part 1 of 2!) we jump back in time and learn about how our pre-colonial ancestors practiced their beliefs around death, burial and the afterlife.

From the famous manunggul jars of Palawan to the hanging coffins of Sagada, we explore the stories that shaped these ancient practices–including a well-known creation myth that actually talks about the first instance of death and resurrection. We also talk about: just how much music was there in the 90s, how long should you wait until you move on from a relationship, and–to go back to topic–the Philippine’s own real-life version of “The Mummy Returns.”

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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff, and possibly answer some burning questions after this episode such as: What does a manananggal look like? How do you cook adobo? Who is Gardo Verzosa and why do they keep thirsting after him? We also welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes.

You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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SOURCES:

Contemporary Undas practices derived from pre-colonial influence, beliefs – cultural anthropologist

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/386063/contemporary-undas-practices-derived-from-pre-colonial-influence-beliefs-cultural-anthropologist/story/

Death rituals help restless spirits find peace in the Philippines

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/after-deadly-philippine-typhoon-dead-sent-off-afterlife

A glimpse of the fire mummies of Kabayan, Benguet, Luzon, Philippines and the role of plants associated with the mummification process

http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/43647/1/IJTK%2017%282%29%20307-313.pdf

http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/43647

Apo Anno – A Philippine National Treasure

https://subliblog.com/2019/05/19/apo-anno-a-philippine-national-treasure/

Benguet community races against time to save Apo Anno | Inquirer News

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1081535/benguet-community-races-against-time-to-save-apo-anno

42: TRUE LIES | The Modern Myth of the Tasaday Tribe Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

42: TRUE LIES | The Modern Myth of the Tasaday Tribe

What happens when sinister forces try their hand at modern mythmaking? In this episode, we learn about the Tasaday tribe – the stone-age tribe that was “discovered” in the 70s that put the Philippines on the map as one of the last undiscovered ancient societies.

Learn about what journalists, anthropologists, and gossip mongerers of the day discovered, inferred, and saw with their own eyes to reveal more than what was originally thought. Were they really the cave men they claimed to be? Or was something more sneaky in the mix?

We get super philosophical and hypothesize to the high heavens in this one. Let us know what you think – were the Tasadays a hoax all along or a complicated truth?

Correction: Sabah was “owned” by the North Borneo Chartered Company

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You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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References:

"Tasaday Controversy." Wikipedia.

"The Gentle Tasaday." National Geographic, 1972.

Nance, John. "The Gentle Tasaday: A Stone Age People in the Philippine Rain Forest." Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1975.

"Philippine Cave Dwellers: Primitive Tribe or Elaborate Hoax?" AP News, 1988.

"The Tribe That Never Was." The Independent, 1995.

https://newslab.philstar.com/31-years-of-amnesia/tasaday

https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/tasaday-hoax-a00293-20200803-lfrm
https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/13/science/the-tasaday-revisited-a-hoax-or-social-change-at-work.html

41: SIZE DOESN’T MATTER | The Duwende & Nuno sa Punso - PART 2 (Philippine Dwarfs or Earth Goblins) Sep 10, 2023

Show notes

41: SIZE DOESN’T MATTER | The Duwende & Nuno sa Punso - PART 2 (Philippine Dwarfs or Earth Goblins)

We love our short kings.

In this two-part feature, we finally get to cover the much-requested duwende and nuno sa punso, or the dwarfs & earth goblins of Philippine folklore. Known as guardians of the earth and its liminal spaces, their diminutive stature does not take away from the fear & respect they can inspire.

In part two, we go over the different manifestations of duwende across various Philippine regions and cultures, the different color classifications of duwende and how this affects their temperament, as well as a deep dive on the Nuno sa Punso.

Learn about which color of duwende loves kids a little too much, how to get rid of a duwende’s curse, as well as a way to bait and kill a nuno (please DO NOT try this at home).

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You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

—

References:

The Creatures of of the Philippine Lower Mythology by Maximo D. Ramos (1990)The Creatures of Midnight by Maximo D. Ramos (1990)

https://exemplore.com/legends/Why-the-Nuno-sa-Punso-Deserves-Respect-and-Not-Fear

http://philippinelegend.blogspot.com/2011/11/duwende.html (Tale of the personal encounter with a nuno)

https://www.mangkukulam.com/folklore/344/Dwende