Iwil an Yumina

Iwil an Yumina

(The Legend of the Salinas Salt Spring)

Characters:

Gumined

Indawat

Yumina

In a village nestled in the valley between the tall mountains of Nueva Vizcaya, there lived a pretty maiden named Yumina, the sole child of the chief. As she was lovely and kind-hearted and of high status, suitors vied for Yumina's hand. Among her suitors were her childhood friend Gumined, who has distinguished himself as warrior, hunter, and musician, and Indawat, another distinguished young man with a passion matched only by his temper. Yumina's father realized that his choice on who should marry his daughter was crucial not only for her future happiness but also for their village. Who among these young men was worthy of his daughter and worthy of his position as chief?

This was the dilemma he presented to the village elders he called to a meeting. The village elders decided that suitors would compete in an archery match. Yumina was to hold a hollow segment of bamboo on her shoulder a hundred paces away. The suitors would take turns attempting to shoot an arrow through the bamboo. Whoever succeeds earns the right to marry Yumina and eventually to succeed her father as chief. Whoever commits the fatal mistake shall be beheaded immediately.

The day of the archery match dawned. The whole village assembled to watch at the appointed clearing. Yumina took her place at the clearing and held the bamboo in position. The wind blew against her long black hair and the sun shone brightly on her putting a faint blush to her cheeks and a squint in her eyes. The suitors were assembled a hundred paces away. One after another they took aim and sent their arrows flying. But some arrows flew over the bamboo while some arrows flew short, hitting the ground beneath Yumina's feet. Finally, it was down to only two suitors, Indawat and Gumined.

Indawat planted his feet firmly on the ground, took careful aim, and let his arrow fly. A hush fell over the gathered crowd as the arrow approached the fair Yumina. The arrow whistled past Yumina, whizzing through the space between the bamboo and her ear before striking the ground several paces behind. But there was no denying it. Indawat had missed.

Now it was Gumined's turn. He whispered a quiet prayer to the gods, both for himself and his childhood friend. A hundred paces away, the Yumina closed her eyes and did the same. Gumined assumed the stance, took aim, and shot his arrow into the air. Perhaps because the gods smiled upon them and his aim was true and sure, the arrow slipped right through the bamboo's narrow mouth, piercing its bottom, and flying through. A collective cry swelled through the crowd and blended with the song in the hearts of the two friends.

The friends were betrothed and were married in short order. Life in the village went on as before.

Except for Indawat, who continued to nurse a grudge against Gumined. Bitter feelings of defeat led to dark plans of vengeance. Indawat bided his time.

Hunting season came. Indawat and Gumined joined the other able bodied men of the village in a hunting party. The two former rivals were in the same squad. Indawat saw his chance. When Gumined had tracked a wild boar and was taking careful aim, Indawat took his spear and stabbed Gumined. As the stunned Gumined watched, Indawat took his own bow and arrow and shot the boar and took the game with him.

How she knew no one ever figured out. But when her husband did not return with the others, an other-sense guided Yumina to the clearing where she found her husband. She fell over his dying body, crying tears of sorrow.

And her tears continued to flow covering the entire valley with a blanket of salt as pure as her love.