Hyang
The gods and spirits of the Mangimoi Archipelago.
The specific nature and activities of the Hyang vary greatly depending on the island and local culture:
The Hyang of Ombi is Oma Latu (the Old Woman of the Mountain), tied closely to Gunung Puncak. She is seen as judging all activity in daylight and sends her spirit into people to scold them for poor behavior, retiring deep below the earth only at night.
The Hyang of Golowu is Maradika (the king in the smoke), who is the lord of the Jiwa Samai (a Dreamland within the volcano). Maradika aids his favorites and hinders those he dislikes, favoring those who live heroic and interesting lives. Those favored may receive powers like being unharmed by fire or vanishing like smoke.
The Hyang of Alok is Talaru, a god who resides beneath the surface and is responsible for the hot springs on the island. Talaru initially created the intensely fiery Talaru Pepper to discourage newcomers but found humans came to love it instead.
The Hyang include Gurulani, the volcano god of Lamagama, who is the father of the Bibibari (seven winged maidens who are goddesses of one-seventh of the island). Gurulani is described as vainglorious and short-tempered, requiring compliments to prevent eruptions, after which the Bibibari step in to repair the damage.
The Hyang of Ngofa is Opu Ngamutu, the Crocodile King, who is the patron god of the Kingdom of Kodu. Opu Ngamutu has avatars (blessed crocodiles) that are pampered by the kingdom and used in trials by combat.
The Hyang of Guning Sangat is Sang Layara, the queen of bats and ruler of the Sopali Malapua (gigantic, primate-like bats). She serves Ibunda Rimba (the Wild Mother of Inagimoi) and is known as a trickster and temptress who lures humans into trouble.
The Hyang of Gunung Sahu is Apirangi, a great white serpent residing deep below the volcano. Eruptions are seen as Apirangi visiting his wife, the sea goddess Ibukidul, and the aftermath brings temporary blessings of abundance.
The patron deity of Sangaji is Limalang, goddess of the groves, who is believed to have created the prized Sangaji Lime. This deity has blended with a Mangimoi ancestor, and is also known as Halue Malaha.
The Hyang of Ombi is Oma Latu (the Old Woman of the Mountain), tied closely to Gunung Puncak. She is seen as judging all activity in daylight and sends her spirit into people to scold them for poor behavior, retiring deep below the earth only at night.
The Hyang of Golowu is Maradika (the king in the smoke), who is the lord of the Jiwa Samai (a Dreamland within the volcano). Maradika aids his favorites and hinders those he dislikes, favoring those who live heroic and interesting lives. Those favored may receive powers like being unharmed by fire or vanishing like smoke.
The Hyang of Alok is Talaru, a god who resides beneath the surface and is responsible for the hot springs on the island. Talaru initially created the intensely fiery Talaru Pepper to discourage newcomers but found humans came to love it instead.
The Hyang include Gurulani, the volcano god of Lamagama, who is the father of the Bibibari (seven winged maidens who are goddesses of one-seventh of the island). Gurulani is described as vainglorious and short-tempered, requiring compliments to prevent eruptions, after which the Bibibari step in to repair the damage.
The Hyang of Ngofa is Opu Ngamutu, the Crocodile King, who is the patron god of the Kingdom of Kodu. Opu Ngamutu has avatars (blessed crocodiles) that are pampered by the kingdom and used in trials by combat.
The Hyang of Guning Sangat is Sang Layara, the queen of bats and ruler of the Sopali Malapua (gigantic, primate-like bats). She serves Ibunda Rimba (the Wild Mother of Inagimoi) and is known as a trickster and temptress who lures humans into trouble.
The Hyang of Gunung Sahu is Apirangi, a great white serpent residing deep below the volcano. Eruptions are seen as Apirangi visiting his wife, the sea goddess Ibukidul, and the aftermath brings temporary blessings of abundance.
The patron deity of Sangaji is Limalang, goddess of the groves, who is believed to have created the prized Sangaji Lime. This deity has blended with a Mangimoi ancestor, and is also known as Halue Malaha.
Type
Religious, Pantheon
This article is a stub, and will eventually be updated with more complete information. Let me know in the comments if you would like me to prioritize it!
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2024. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2023. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
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