Lumalindaw

Lumalindaw, the hero of the Ga'dang, was the son of Chief Lumalibac of Nabbobawan and his wife Caricagwat. He was an extraordinary being. In a few days he grew into a strong young man with a voice so loud that if he shouted at a flying bird, it would stop instantly in front of him, and if he shouted at a coconut tree, its fruits would fall.

One day he went on top of a mountain, climbed a tree, and started playing his "ayoding", a magical musical instrument that could speak words of advice to its master. That day, his ayoding told him that they should go East, to Manimbawan, to look for a beautiful lady. Accordingly, Lumalindaw asked his mother to give him his father's magic bolo which sings when it swings and is so shiny that its brilliance blinds the opponent and thus makes it easy to subdue him. With this bolo, Lumalindaw went on a raid with his friends and got a head to give to his lady-love. He then left his mother and, accompanied by his pet birds and monkey, he set out on his search for his beautiful lady.

While drinking in a stream, Lumalindaw saw reflected on it the face of a beautiful lady. The voice even provided him with gold to give to the lady. Lumalindaw set out on his journey. The sight of a rainbow gave him renewed strength.

He reached a house. He asked for a drink of water from the owner, an old woman, who had a daughter, Menalam. Lumalindaw was able to win the hand of Menalam after a bolo combat with Menalam's brothers. There was a lavish wedding feast, with the folk of Nabbobawan bringing everything needed.

The parents of Lumalindaw and the young men and women of Nabbobawan came for the wedding and were happily received by Menalam's parents, Mabbaniaw and Alottu. For the whole day and night there was eating, dancing, and drinking. There was also the observance of age-old customs, such as hanging coins on the shawls of the guests, old folks telling stories, chanting tales, riddles, and proverbs and giving advice to the newlyweds.

After a few days, Lumalindaw brought his bride home to Nabbobawan. After nine months, Menalam gave birth to twins, a son and daughter whom they named Yadan and Busilelaw, meaning "morning star." Menalam, accompanied by Lumalindaw, brought her children to her home Icawayan at the request of her parents. Lumalindaw had to leave them there and go back to Nabbobawan to attend to his duties as the protector of his village.

After ten months, Lumalindaw became restless, for he wished to marry again. Upon the advice of the Voice (in Manimbawan) he went to Iquiladan and there he won the hand of Muwan, after proving his strength and courage through combat. After nine months, this second wife gave birth to twins. The boy was named Yadan and the girl Imugan, meaning "charm." After ten months it became necessary for Lumalindaw to go back to his village to see his mother and his people. He was joyously welcomed home by his people.

After ten months Lumalindaw became restless; he wanted to marry again. The Voice, upon being consulted, told him he could court Carinuwan from the river Binalan, if he wished. Passing by a river, fishes followed him and led him to the cave of Binalan. Here he was welcomed by Carinuwan, who was a "sirena" of goddess of fishes. When Lumalindaw expressed his love for her and held her hand, Carinuwan's tail suddenly turned into two feet. She had been turned into a fish by a powerful goddess and she could only regain her human form if somebody would be willing to marry her. Now the spell was broken and Lumalindaw brought her home to Nabbobawan. Nine months later she gave birth to a baby boy whom they named Yadan. Later Carinuwan went back to her home in Binalan.