Nan Banga (The Pot)

The following words are inspired by the cover page of "TRIBU TARIES", a book containing a collection of poems, creative non-fiction, essays, and short stories of members of Ubbog Cordillera Youngwriters, a group based in Baguio/Benguet.  This self-published book is the third journal of the group and launched during the ASPULAN, a gathering of Baguio writers in Baguio City at the University of the Philippines Baguio in May 18, 2015.  The book is available at Mt. Cloud Bookshop, Casa Vallejo, Session Road, Baguio City.

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Nan Liting hi Banga

Wada han bangan di In-ina
Natal'wan hi liting an mapagana
Immali han ohan unga
Inwahwanay ta'lena
Nih'nod boy oha
Ya nunmulumugana
Tuwe han miatlu
Ot on bo mun-ihu
Nihnod da pay di dakol
Te dan kittay di maulahan hitun adol
Wadaday nunba'ba' hi nadongdong
Nunulah' namamanteka an gamong
Dumdumlig di algoh' ad daya
Ya dan bo wahna di liting an mapagana
Bumohol mo'y Am-ama
Te kilut di matmattigona
Tuwe bihdot hi ingngi, matte-matteh' inuwona
Mu liting hinan banga ya ininumna damdama

Liting an mapagana,
Umayu pay ngata?

*****
The following is an unvarnished translation of the above Ifugao words:

The Water in the Pot

There was a pot of a Motherly Being
Filled with water that is clear
A child came
Rinsed hands
Another came next
And used it to gargle
A third came after
And washed face
Many others followed
For isn't there a lot to wash on this body
There are those who laundered the dirty
Washing greasy belongings
The sun moves in the sky
But does water exists that is clear
Angry was the Fatherly Being
For murky is what he see
And coming is a little baby, dying of thirst
But water from the pot, the baby has to drink

Clear water,
Will it flow again?