SHE IS THE TEMPERAMENTAL, FEMININE PERSONIFICATION OF THE POWER OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON, BOTH KINDLY AND FEARSOME WITH HER UNPREDICTABLE AND HARSH TEMPER WHO CREATES THE STORMS THAT WASH AWAY HOMES. THE ISLANDERS SAY THAT LIGHTNING IS THE FLASH OF A PEARL SHELL THAT SHE THROWS ACROSS THE SKY. SHE ALSO USES THE SHELL'S SHARP EDGE AS A KNIFE TO CUT OFF THE HEAD OR LIMBS OF A WRONGDOER. THE ANDAMAN ISLANDERS ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE BURNING OR MELTING OF BEESWAX AROUSES THE ANGER OF "BILIKU", THE "GODDESS" OF STORMS, THE ODOR OF THE BURNING WAX CAUSING HER TO CREATE GREAT STORMS SO THEY ABSTAIN FROM BURNING CANDLES DURING THE RAINY SEASON.
According the creation myth:
"BEFORE THE WORLD WAS EVEN CREATED, BILIKU WAS WEAVING HER WEBS AND STALKING THE GREAT EMPTY NIGHT. THEN SHE SAT DOWN TO REST, AND WITHHER GREAT FEELERS, SHE FASHIONED THE EARTH AND PLACED IT IN THE SKY. AFTERWARDS, SHE CREATED THE FIRST PEOPLE, AND PUT THEM ON THE EARTH. SO PLEASED WAS SHE WITH HER CREATION THAT SHE DECIDED TO LIVE ON EARTH HERSELF."
"BUT THE PEOPLE FOUND HER TO BE UNPREDICTABLE. WHEN SHE WAS IN A GOOD MOOD, SHE SENT WARM SUNNY DAYS AND WAS HELPFUL TO THE PEOPLE. BUT, WHEN SHE WAS ANGRY, SHE SUMMONED UP ENORMOUS CLOUDS, TERRIFYING WINDS AND LASHING STORMS. HER BELLOWS OF RAGE BECAME THUNDER, AND SHE THREW HUGE BOLTS OF LIGHTNING ACROSS THE SKY. RIVERS FLOODED THE LAND AND HOUSES WERE SWEPT AWAY ALONG WITH THEIR INHABITANTS."
Soon She grew tired of the people She had created and returned to Her home in sky, but everyone here on the Earth still fears Her terrible temper.
Credit: http://ceremonial-magic.blogspot.com
