The buso of Bagobo myth are various malevolent man-eating beings that were once friendly and helpful to humans. They live as a tribe surrounded by fruit-bearing plants like papaya. They barter these fruits in exchange for human children to eat. When no one is willing to barter, they raid human habitations, slaughtering with iron axes and machetes. They pile the bones of their victims under their dwellings. Having matulus or magical powers, they could run faster than a man and some can fly without wings. Their blood, when sprinkled on a plant, can make it grow faster and abundant.
Among the Mandaya, these beings are known as tuglinsau, tagbusau, or mandangum while the Manobo call them busaw. Tagbusau can possess warriors and fill them with rage and a desire to kill. In order to calm down the possessed warriors, cold water is dashed on them.
Some buso, as believed by the T’boli tribe, assume a shadow-like form of varying sizes and have a taste for human corpses, which they consider a delicacy. Unseen, these corpse-eaters hang out in groups in the trees in graveyards where an internment is being held. When the grave is finally left alone, they descend on it and dig out the corpse, which they eat, leaving nothing but bones. When fresh corpses are rare, they dig out old corpses and feed on the carrion.
Strong-smelling herbs or vinegar rubbed on a corpse keeps these corpse-eaters at bay. It is believed only dogs can see and smell the corpse-eating buso; therefore, one method in order for a person to see the being’s true form is to dampen his eyes with dog tears.
Reference:
Ramos, Maximo D. Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology.
Among the Mandaya, these beings are known as tuglinsau, tagbusau, or mandangum while the Manobo call them busaw. Tagbusau can possess warriors and fill them with rage and a desire to kill. In order to calm down the possessed warriors, cold water is dashed on them.
Some buso, as believed by the T’boli tribe, assume a shadow-like form of varying sizes and have a taste for human corpses, which they consider a delicacy. Unseen, these corpse-eaters hang out in groups in the trees in graveyards where an internment is being held. When the grave is finally left alone, they descend on it and dig out the corpse, which they eat, leaving nothing but bones. When fresh corpses are rare, they dig out old corpses and feed on the carrion.
Strong-smelling herbs or vinegar rubbed on a corpse keeps these corpse-eaters at bay. It is believed only dogs can see and smell the corpse-eating buso; therefore, one method in order for a person to see the being’s true form is to dampen his eyes with dog tears.
Reference:
Ramos, Maximo D. Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology.