Supernatural beings known as the Bawa have lips that hang so widely that they conceal their faces. They can appear as a chicken and use the sound of a cackling to announce their presence. Additionally, they have the ability to change into a dog, pig, cow, or stone. If left alone, the Bawa are said to be harmless. However, they have the ability to wring a man's or carabao's neck, which makes them extremely vicious once injured.
The Bawa (or Baua) is a mythical, bird-like creature from Western Visayas (specifically Kinaray-a mythology in Antique) that lives in a sky cave called Calulundan, guarded by blue smoke. It causes eclipses by swallowing the moon when food is scarce, typically two or three times a year.
Key Details about the Bawa:
Behavior: It is described as a giant bird.
Eclipse Belief: When the Bawa eats the moon, it causes a lunar eclipse.
Defense: People traditionally played music or made noise to force the creature to release the moon.
Distinction: It is distinct from the Bakunawa, which is a sea-serpent dragon, though both are associated with consuming the moon in Philippine folklore.
It is not to be confused with the Popobawa, a shapeshifting, bat-like demon from Zanzibar.
Sources:
"Bawa Philippine Mythological Creature Art". Reddit. May 15, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
"Philippine Creature : BAWA – (Antique)". Youtube. May 31, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
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