Kabena'o script

The Kabena'o script is the creation of aLfie vera mella and is based on the Tagalog/Alibata script. It appears in a book entitled Engkanto: A Bestiary of Philippine Mythical Beings (Book One: Bantay-Katubigan) which aLfie is currently writing. In the book the script is used to write the language of the bantay-katubigan (Philippine aquatic fairies).

Notable Features

The script is normally engraved on driftwood, shells, or slabs of hardened terracotta using styli made from corals.
The symbols, which are each made up of five wavy lines, all resemble fish.
Every symbol except ka contains a dot-like diacritic called matang-isda, 'fisheye'.
The script is traditionally written in columns running from top to bottom and from right to left, although it can also be written from left to right in descending horizontal lines.
The script consists of 16 symbols: one representing the vowel a, and 15 the consonantal syllables ba, sa, ka, ha, la, ga, ma, ya, na, nga, pa, ra, da, wa, ta. The a can be changed to other vowels or muted with diacritics.

Kabena'o script

Kabena'o numerals

Sample text in Kabena'o

Sample text in the Kabena'o script

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Link

Extracts from Engkanto: A Bestiary of Philippine Mythical Beings
http://engkanto1.blogspot.com/

[top]

Why not share this page:

If you like this site and find it useful, you can support it by making a donation via PayPal or Patreon, or by contributing in other ways. Omniglot is how I make my living.

Note: all links on this site to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.fr are affiliate links. This means I earn a commission if you click on any of them and buy something. So by clicking on these links you can help to support this site.

Get a 30-day Free Trial of Amazon Prime (UK)

If you're looking for home or car insurance in the UK, why not try Policy Expert?

[top]