Philippine freshwater crocodile
The Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis), also known as the Mindoro crocodile, the Philippine freshwater crocodile, the bukarot[1] in Ilocano, and more generally as a buwaya in most Filipino lowland cultures,[1] is one of two species of crocodiles found in the Philippines; the other is the larger saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).[2][3] The Philippine crocodile, the species endemic only to the country, went from data deficient to critically endangered in 2008 from exploitation and unsustainable fishing methods,[4] such as dynamite fishing.[5] Conservation methods are being taken by the Dutch/Filipino Mabuwaya foundation,[6] the Crocodile Conservation Society and the Zoological Institute of HerpaWorld in Mindoro island. It is strictly prohibited to kill a crocodile in the country, and it is punishable by law.
Mythology, folklore and cultural significance[edit]
In the pre-colonial anito beliefs throughout the Philippine islands, crocodiles (both C. mindorensis and C. porosus) were feared and revered, which played a key role in their survival up until modern times. The Spanish recorded that rivers and lakes were filled with crocodiles, and people often lived and fished close to them, which alarmed most European observers. Some communities put up small bamboo fences to keep crocodiles out from certain areas and people avoided provoking them, but in general, they didn't take many specific precautions against them. There was an unspoken "peace pact" between crocodiles and people. There were very strict taboos against killing crocodiles or eating crocodile meat. And crocodiles which attack or kill a person are always killed by the community.[7]
It was widely believed that crocodiles never attacked people arbitrarily. Thus attacks by crocodiles were regarded with fatalistic attitudes, as being the fault of the victim for transgressing taboos, or as punishment by the spirits for breaking an oath. The Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi records in 1571 that his treaties with Sulayman, Ache, and Lakandula of Manila and Tondo were sworn on the condition that they would die and be eaten by crocodiles if they break the agreements. Regardless, being eaten by a crocodile was regarded as an honorable death, as it ensured that the soul of the person would be safely transported to the spirit world by the crocodile via the rainbow.[7]
Crocodiles regarded with superstition can be generally divided into three kinds: crocodiles which are reincarnations of ancestors (anito), embodiments of powerful nature spirits (diwata), or shapeshifted malevolent spirits or witches (aswang). Not all crocodiles are seen as personifications of these three, but crocodiles with extraordinary traits, like being very large, being uncharacteristically docile, having strange coloration, being crippled or having visible birth defects, are often regarded as such. In several creation myths of the islands, the creator deity is a crocodile, and crocodiles were often seen as guardians of the spirit world (where the dead go) and psychopomps who lead the spirits of the dead safely. Crocodiles were also believed to also exist in a sort of parallel spirit world, often interpreted as an underwater village. Several ethnic groups also consider crocodiles to be their direct ancestors, and datu and warriors often traced their lineage to crocodiles. Crocodiles were also often addressed with kinship titles like nono ("grandfather").[7]
Depictions of crocodiles were commonly carved into coffins or woven into funeral clothes to protect the spirit of the deceased. Crocodile teeth were also commonly worn as agimat (amulets) for protection against disease and evil spirits.[7]
In modern Filipino culture, crocodiles are perceived negatively. They are regarded as vermin and a threat to small children and livestock. They are also associated with greed, deceit, corruption, and nepotism. The term buwaya is frequently used as an insult for corrupt politicians and government officials, moneylenders, and the police.[7][8]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Crocodile Surveys - iucncsg.org"
- ↑ "Only in the Philippines - Endemic Animals in the Philippines" Archived 2017-08-06 at the Wayback Machine. TxtMania.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-22.
- ↑ Ross, Charles A. "Crocodile Status in Ligawasan Marsh". Philippine Crocodile. Retrieved on 2012-07-12.
- ↑ "Crocodilian Species - Philippine Crocodile (Crocdylus mindorensis)". Crocodilian Species List. Retrieved on 2007-10-22.
- ↑ "Wildlife Conservation in the Philippines". BP.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-22.
- ↑ "Philippine Crocodile Comeback" Archived 2007-11-10 at the Wayback Machine. cepf.net. Retrieved on 2007-10-22.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Van Der Ploeg, Jan; Van Weerd, Merlijn; Persoon, Gerard A. (2011). "A Cultural History of Crocodiles in the Philippines: Towards a New Peace Pact?". Environment and History. 17 (2): 229–264. ISSN 0967-3407.
- ↑ Madarang, Catalina Ricci S. (2021-06-23). "Crocodiles are not hated creatures, symbols of corruption centuries ago. Here's why". Interaksyon. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
Further reading[edit]
External links[edit]
- Mabuwaya Foundation [1]
- Philippine freshwater crocodile at the Encyclopedia of LifeLua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 23: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Template:Crocodilia Template:Crocs Lua error in Module:Taxonbar at line 146: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
- ↑ Weerd, Mabuwaya Foundation, Merlijn van. "Mabuwaya - Home". www.mabuwaya.org. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
