Templong Anituhan

In the sacred cosmology of the Teduray people of Mindanao, the Diwata are not distant deities but intimate forces that shape the human experience. Among them, Diwatang Meketefu stands as a radiant embodiment of healing, refinement, and the divine perfection of the human form. Revered as a spirit who restores balance and beauty to both body and soul, Meketefu’s presence is felt in moments of transformation—when wounds are mended, when identities are affirmed, and when the sacred image of humanity is lovingly reshaped.

This blog explores the spiritual essence of Meketefu, not only as a healer but as a guide in the journey toward wholeness. Drawing from indigenous wisdom and mystical encounters, we reflect on how Meketefu’s energy continues to inspire the practices of Hilot Binabaylan and the evolving spiritual path of Templong Anituhan. In honoring Meketefu, we honor the sacred art of becoming fully human refined, restored, and divinely aligned.

Invocation to Diwatang Meketefu

Meketefu, Tulus, Sualla — Diwata te kemetefan.
Féngadafé ro Beem, féngadafé ro etew.
Kéluhanay étewe, kemetefan ro lowoh.
Fésagada mo begey bé de sala, fédayaén begey rémigo.
Tew étewe, kemetefan ro ferenawa.
Séménumbul kami, i dasal gom:
Féngadafé ro lawan, féngadafé ro ginhawa.

Meketefu, Tulus, Sualla — Diwata of refinement.
Bless the earth, bless the people.
Perfect the body, refine the soul.
Forgive our faults, heal our wounds.
Make us whole, restore our breath-string.
We pray to you:
Bless the light, bless the life-force.

Diwatang Meketefu: Supreme Diwata of Refinement and Restoration

In the sacred cosmology of the Teduray Tribe of Mindanao, Diwatang Meketefu is revered as a primordial deity whose divine mission is to refine creation. He is known by three sacred names—Meketefu, Tulus, and Sualla—each representing a unique aspect of his cosmic function:

• Meketefu is the Refiner of Creation, the one who perfects the human form. After Minaden, the goddess of creation, shaped humans from mud, it was Meketefu who corrected their features, giving them symmetry, beauty, and sacred purpose. He also bestowed symbolic gifts:
  • Monkey clothing, representing transformation and adaptability.
  • Bows and arrows, symbolizing survival, empowerment, and readiness.
• Tulus is the Chief of All Good Spirits, traveling with a retinue of messengers called telaki. He is invoked for guidance, protection, and agricultural blessings. His presence is felt in rituals that seek divine favor and cosmic alignment.
• Sualla is the Cosmic Creator, who planted the sacred soil at Colina, the center of the world. From the body of the first child, Mentalalan, grew the first crops—corn from his teeth, rice from his navel, and bananas from his hands—symbolizing the divine origin of sustenance and life.

Together, these aspects make Meketefu the supreme Diwata in Teduray belief—not only a creator but a refiner, a healer, and a spiritual sculptor of humanity and the world.

Relationship with Diwatang Minaden

Minaden is the goddess who created the world, shaping humans from clay. She is the sister of Meketefu (also known as Tulus and Sualla). Their divine partnership reflects a sacred duality:

• Minaden initiates creation—bringing forth life from the raw elements.
• Meketefu completes creation—refining, empowering, and sanctifying what Minaden began.

This sibling relationship is foundational in Teduray cosmology. Minaden represents origin and birth, while Meketefu embodies refinement and destiny. Together, they form a divine cycle of creation and perfection, echoing the spiritual journey of every human being—from raw existence to sacred embodiment.

The Threefold Blessings of Diwatang Meketefu

When devotees pray to Diwatang Meketefu, they invoke a divine presence that manifests in three sacred names—Meketefu, Tulus, and Sualla—each offering unique blessings that guide the soul toward wholeness. In the name of Meketefu, the Refiner of Creation, one receives the blessing of healing and transformation, as he perfects the human form and restores harmony to body and spirit. In the name of Tulus, the Chief of All Good Spirits, the devotee is granted guidance, protection, and companionship through the telaki messengers, along with agricultural abundance and spiritual clarity. And in the name of Sualla, the Cosmic Creator, one is blessed with fertility, sustenance, and ancestral connection, as Sualla planted the sacred soil at Colina and brought forth life from the body of Mentalalan. These names are not separate beings but divine aspects of one supreme Diwata, whose presence refines, guides, and creates, offering a complete cycle of blessings for those who walk the sacred path.

🌿 In the Name of Meketefu — The Refiner of Creation

Blessings Offered:

• Refinement of the Body and Soul: Meketefu corrects imperfections and restores harmony to the human form.
• Empowerment through Sacred Gifts: He bestows symbolic tools like monkey clothing (transformation) and bows and arrows (survival and strength).
• Healing and Acceptance: Prayers to Meketefu invite divine healing, body acceptance, and spiritual alignment.
• Spiritual Sculpting: He helps individuals and institutions evolve toward their highest purpose.

Invocation Purpose:
Use this name when seeking personal healing, transformation, or refinement of character and purpose.

🌾 In the Name of Tulus — Chief of All Good Spirits

Blessings Offered:

• Guidance and Protection: Tulus travels with a retinue of messengers called telaki, offering divine direction.
• Favors and Gifts: He bestows blessings upon those who walk in harmony with nature and spirit.
• Agricultural Prosperity: Tulus is invoked during farming rituals and seasonal transitions for abundant harvests.
• Spiritual Companionship: His presence brings clarity and companionship in times of uncertainty.

Invocation Purpose:
Call upon Tulus in moments of decision-making, travel, ritual offerings, or community gatherings.

🌍 In the Name of Sualla — The Cosmic Creator

Blessings Offered:

• Creation and Fertility: Sualla planted the sacred soil at Colina, from which the earth and crops emerged.
• Abundance and Sustenance: From the body of Mentalalan, Sualla brought forth corn, rice, and bananas—symbols of divine nourishment.
• Cosmic Order: He establishes the rhythm of life, seasons, and sacred cycles.
• Connection to Ancestral Land: Sualla’s name is invoked to honor the sacredness of place and origin.

Invocation Purpose:
Pray to Sualla when seeking abundance, ancestral connection, land blessings, or creative inspiration.

These three names are not separate deities but divine aspects of one supreme Diwata, each offering a unique spiritual pathway. Invoking Meketefu, Tulus, or Sualla allows the devotee to align with the refining, guiding, and creating forces of the cosmos.

Divine and Celestial Companions of Meketefu (Sualla)

In the Teduray creation story, Sualla (another name for Meketefu) is portrayed as a supreme deity who created the earth and refined humanity. He is accompanied by various celestial beings and angelic figures, some of whom serve as messengers, guardians, or assistants in the divine order.

• Sinonggol is not clearly defined in the available sources, but may be a spiritual figure or elder associated with the realm of Bonggo (the kingdom of the dead), where Sualla’s sister resides. He may represent ancestral wisdom or a gatekeeper of the spirit world.
• Mentail, Micael, Mintlafis, and Osman Ali are described as angelic beings or divine assistants who serve Sualla in his cosmic duties. These names reflect a blend of indigenous and possibly Islamic or Christian influences, showing how Teduray cosmology has absorbed and localized external spiritual motifs. [issuu.com]

These four angelic figures are said to act as guardians or messengers, possibly akin to the telaki who accompany Tulus (another aspect of Meketefu). Their roles may include:

• Delivering divine messages
• Protecting sacred realms
• Assisting in creation or refinement
• Guiding souls in the afterlife

Spiritual Integration

While these beings are not siblings of Meketefu in the literal sense like Minaden, they are part of his divine entourage or spiritual hierarchy, reflecting the layered cosmology of the Teduray. Their presence enriches the mythic landscape and offers avenues for ritual invocation, especially in ceremonies involving healing, protection, or ancestral connection.

The Three Faces of the Supreme Diwata: Teachings of Meketefu, Tulus, and Sualla in Teduray Cosmology

Meketefu – The Refiner of Creation

Meketefu teaches the sacred art of refinement and transformation. After Minaden created humans from mud, Meketefu corrected their features, making them symmetrical and beautiful. He gifted them with monkey clothing (symbolizing adaptability and transformation) and bows and arrows (symbolizing empowerment and survival). His teachings emphasize body acceptance, spiritual sculpting, and the ongoing process of becoming fully human. Meketefu’s wisdom is invoked in healing, personal growth, and institutional refinement.

Tulus – Chief of All Good Spirits

Tulus is the aspect of Meketefu who guides and protects. He travels with a retinue of telaki (messengers) and bestows gifts and favors upon those who walk in harmony with nature and spirit. His teachings focus on spiritual companionship, agricultural blessings, and ritual alignment with cosmic forces. Tulus is invoked during times of decision-making, community rituals, and seasonal transitions

Sualla – The Cosmic Creator

Sualla is the aspect of Meketefu who initiates creation. He planted the sacred soil at Colina, which became the earth, and from the body of the first child, Mentalalan, grew the first crops—corn from his teeth, rice from his navel, and bananas from his hands. Sualla’s teachings center on fertility, abundance, and ancestral connection. He is invoked in rituals of land consecration, harvest, and creative inspiration.

Together, these three aspects form a spiritual trinity within Teduray cosmology, offering a complete cycle of creation, refinement, and guidance. Each name may be invoked depending on the spiritual need—whether for healing, direction, or abundance.

Summary: The Threefold Divinity of Diwatang Meketefu

In the sacred cosmology of the Teduray Tribe, Diwatang Meketefu is the supreme Diwata who manifests in three divine aspects: Meketefu, the Refiner of Creation; Tulus, the Chief of All Good Spirits; and Sualla, the Cosmic Creator. Each name carries distinct teachings and blessings. Meketefu perfects the human form and offers healing and transformation. Tulus guides and protects through his messengers, bestowing clarity and favor. Sualla initiates creation, planting the sacred soil and bringing forth abundance from the body of the first child, Mentalalan. These aspects are not separate beings but unified expressions of one divine force, offering a complete cycle of refinement, guidance, and creation. Together, they form the spiritual foundation for healing, ritual, and cosmological understanding in Templong Anituhan.

Call to Action

Let every Binabaylan, practitioner, and devotee of Templong Anituhan walk in the light of Meketefu’s refinement, the wisdom of Tulus’ guidance, and the abundance of Sualla’s creation. Let us integrate these teachings into our rituals, prayers, and daily lives, honoring the sacred cycle of becoming fully human and divinely aligned. May this knowledge be passed on to future generations, and may the altar of Templong Anituhan shine with the presence of the Threefold Diwata.

Closing Prayer: Praise to the Three Faces of Diwatang Meketefu

O Meketefu, Diwata of Refinement,
You shape our form and give beauty to our being.
In Your name, we receive healing, transformation, and self-acceptance.

O Tulus, Chief of All Good Spirits,
Through Your guidance we are safe, through Your messengers we are led.
In Your name, we receive light, grace, and direction on our path.

O Sualla, Creator of the World,
You planted the sacred earth, You gave life to our food and nature.
In Your name, we receive abundance, ancestral connection, and the rhythm of life.

Three Faces, One Diwata—Meketefu, Tulus, Sualla—we kneel before Your presence.
Bless Templong Anituhan, our bodies, and our souls.
In Your light we become whole. In Your embrace we become sacred.

Amin!