Tiyamacan
Amis · mortal · Amis traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
Tiyamacan is the shining maiden of the Tafalong (Tafalong/Tapangan) origin legend among the northern Amis. Her body emits a light so bright that it draws the attention of Felalakas, son of the sea god, who asks for her in marriage and promises to return in five days. Her family, refusing the union, try in vain to dim her glow; on the appointed day Felalakas raises a great tidal wave that carries her off to him and in doing so tears her kin apart, scattering them across the land to found the lineages of Tafalong. Some scholars note that Tiyamacan is unusually passive among Amis heroines and suspect the episode was shaped during the Japanese colonial period under the influence of the Japanese Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.
Domains
- light
Powers
- shines with an inextinguishable light
Relations
- spouse: FelalakasClaimed by Felalakas, who carries her off on a great wave.Ihot Sinlay Cihek, interview, The Theatre Times (2019) (secondary)
Sources
- Tiyamacan is a luminous maiden of Tafalong whose light attracts Felalakas, son of the sea god; his taking of her by tidal wave scatters her family and founds the village.: Ihot Sinlay Cihek, interview, The Theatre Times (2019) (secondary)