Javanese Mythology - Creation Myth

Creation Myth

Creation myth explain the creation of universe and the origin of the world, their lands, and often explain the story of their ancestor. Most of native Indonesian ethnic groups, especially those whom not influenced by foreign influences such as Hindu-Buddhist or Islamic influences, have their own native mythology that explain the origin of the universe, their gods and deities, as well as their ancestors. Following stories are some examples of creation myth.

Ancient people in Java and Bali believed in the unseen spiritual entity that has supernatural power identified as Hyangs. This spirit can be either divine or ancestral. The reverence for this spiritual entity can be found in Sunda Wiwitan, Kejawen, and Balinese Hinduism.

According to the myth of some ethnic groups in Sulawesi, the earth sat upon the back of gigantic babirusa. The earthquake was happened when the boar felt itchy and rub its back against a gigantic palm tree. This mythology somehow have its counterpart, a similar theme with Hindu myth of Varaha, the third avatar of Vishnu as a gigantic boar that carry the world upon his back.