Darangan Land-Between-Two-Seas and turned out to be the only one who
could reveal Bantugan`s identity.
Darangan is a set of 25 Maranao epics. Among the 25, the tale of
brilliant prince Bantugan and Princess Timbang is the most
popular.
The Tale of Brilliant Prince Bantugan
The king of beautiful Bumbaran was saddened upon hearing from
Captain Gambayolan
that his brother Bantugan went courting in Babalay anonan.
With great sadness the king went back to the castle and slept for 5
days under 10 colored mosquito nets.
On the 5th day all the lords of the land were summoned by the
Prime Minister Ranga-ig. On that meeting, the king ordered them
never to speak to Bantugan again once he returns.
Everyone was saddened by the decree;
Sabarat, Lord Lumbatan and young Prince Mabaning of Gadong
tried to reason politely to the King but to no avail.
And so, when Bantugan arrived, signaled by the bell on his
Campilan, he found unusual quietness in every houses and streets
of Bumbaran
And upon reaching the palace, no one would speak to him. Not
even his dear friends Sabarat and Prince Lumbatan.
Prince Bantugan with his Campilan (sword), Kris (dagger) and
shield.
The Tower of Dinandingan
Because of the rude treatment, Bantugan left the palace after
speaking to his nephew, Da`romim`bang.
Then he went to the tower of Dinandingan where he told his son,
Baratamai Lumna, to follow after playing.
At the tower, he found his sister, Princess Liaminna who oiled and
combed his hair, and prepared Betel nut for him.
When Baratamai Lumna arrived, Bantugan told him of his plan to
leave Bumbaran until he losses his grief.
Baratamai Lumna wished to come along; however, he was told by
Bantugan to stay.
And so, Bantugan left and arrived at a river bank where he sat on a
rock and decided where to go.
He wandered on until he reached a little groove and saw a Cota
beside a little lake. There, a violent pain struck his heart.
Bantugan went further until he reached a Baliti tree where the
pain struck him unconscious.
Bantugans Diwata, Magaw
When he woke up, Bantugan was tremendously weakened.
So he decided to call his friendly daimon (diwata), Magaw, who
flew him into the doorway of Princess Timbang`s tower.
The tower window of Princess Timbang
With his last strength, Bantugan announced his wish to stay at the
castle. Which was eventually granted.
At the castle of The-Land-Between-Two-Seas` (Natangkopan a
Ragat) Princess Pinantaw
And Princees Timbang, took care of Bantugan.
All the best doctors and sorcerers of The-Land-Between-Two-Seas
were summoned to find a cure for Brilliant Prince Bantugan.
But alas! He still died
Princess Timbang was saddened by Bantugan`s deathsaying she
would have been glad to talk to him before he died.
Meanwhile, all the people of The-Land-Between-Two-Seas were
called to gaze at Bantugans dead body to find someone who
knows his identity. But no one knew him.
Meanwhile, a parrot from Bumbaran just heard from five other
parrots of the fate of his master, Bantugan, and so it flew to The-
The King of Natangkopan a Ragat decided to send Bantugan`s
body back to Bumbaran. And to avoid surprising the Kingdom,
Princess Timbang sent her own parrot in advance to tell them the
bad news.
Back to Bumbaran, Princess Lawanan (Liamina)
told the nobles of her dream where Prince Bantugan was carried
by the angel of death to the sky. This omen was later confirmed
true when Princess Timbang`s parrot arrived at the castle of
Bumbaran.
With great haste, all the left for Natangkopan a Ragat for Bantugan
except for Princess Mabaning and Madali who took off with their
flying shield to the sky.
For 15 days Mabaning and Madali flew until they reached the gate
of the sky and a month later reached a second gate. On both
gates, they told the inquisitive keepers that they came to ask the
angel of the dead when they will die. Then, they arrived at the
abode of the angel of the dead.
Mabaning, disguised as a beautiful woman, went to talk to the
angel of the dead and tricked him into leaving to ask some
questions to the king of heaven in exchange for their marriage.
When the angel was gone Mabaning looked for and took the large
blue bottle imprisoning Prince Bantugan`s soul. And with lightning
speed, they went back to Bumbaran.
Reunited with his soul, Bantugan revived bringing joy to everyone.
Except for his enemies, led by Miscoyaw, who still thought he was
dead and are advancing towards Bumbaran.
Bantugan angered by the invaders, so he launched assaults and
war soon exploded.
Bantugan faced his enemies for one day and one night his
Campilan and his Diwatas as well as his friend spirit Crocodile.
War went until Bantugan grew weary and was locked up by
opponents inside the cabin of Miscoyaw`s ship. The invaders then
went away leaving young men to guard the cabin.
Bantugan awoke and freed himself from the cabin. He then called
his spirit to blow the ship from land to land to collect his would be
wives:
Maginar of Babalay Anonan
Minoyod of Sun Girina Ginar
Manginawan of Bagumbayan Luna
Bolontai a Pisigi of Solauan a Rogon
Datimbang of Natangkopan A Ragat
Bantugan courted 40 other ladies
Then he returned to Bumbaran where he was met with kisses, by
the whole realm.