The Philippines is home to a vast array of arachnids. Locals use the term Gagamba, the general Tagalog word for “spider,” to refer to these creatures. This single term encompasses thousands of species, from tiny garden creatures to large, fast-moving hunters that occasionally enter homes.
Defining the Gagamba
While Gagamba is the universal word for spider, its common use often narrows to the most prominent or interactive species. In casual conversation, the term frequently refers to the large, brown, and highly visible Huntsman spider, known for its startling speed and size. Alternatively, it is also closely associated with the smaller, aggressive spiders specifically collected and used in a traditional pastime. The context usually determines whether one is discussing a common house guest or a prized competitor.
Biological Profile of Key Species
The most frequently encountered large Gagamba is the Pantropical Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda venatoria), a species recognized for its distinct, flattened body structure. Adult Huntsman spiders can have a body length ranging from 2.2 to 2.8 centimeters, with an impressive leg span that may reach between 7 and 12 centimeters. These are cursorial hunters, meaning they do not build webs to capture prey, instead relying on immense speed and agility to ambush insects and other invertebrates. The Huntsman’s coloring is generally a mottled brown, which helps it blend into tree bark, rocks, and the corners of human dwellings where it often seeks shelter.
Another group of Gagamba significant to the local population are the smaller, highly visual jumping spiders of the family Salticidae. These spiders possess remarkable eyesight, which they utilize for navigation and hunting. Jumping spiders are known for their ability to leap distances many times their own body length to pounce on prey. They are commonly found around homes and gardens. Separately, the large, web-building orb-weavers from the genus Neoscona are also frequently identified as Gagamba, particularly due to their role in local cultural practices.
The Role in Filipino Culture
The Gagamba holds a unique place in Filipino culture, primarily through the traditional game of spider fighting, known locally as Sabong ng Gagamba or paaway kaka. This pastime, often played by children in rural areas, involves pitting two captured spiders against each other. The spiders chosen for these matches are typically female orb-weavers, often from the genus Neoscona, which are known for their aggressive territorial behavior.
The contest is simple and involves a single piece of dried coconut leaf midrib, called a walis tingting, which acts as the fighting arena. Handlers place one spider at each end of the thin stick and encourage them to move towards the center until they meet. A match is generally determined when one spider either retreats, is incapacitated by its opponent’s bite, or falls off the stick a predetermined number of times. The preparation for these fights is meticulous, with children carefully collecting, housing, and “training” their spiders in small containers before the contest.
Spider fighting is a centuries-old tradition that, like the more formal cockfighting (Sabong), can involve betting, though the gambling aspect is usually small-scale. The practice is declining in popularity due to the rise of modern entertainment and concerns over the welfare of the animals. Beyond the contest, the spider also features in folklore, such as a myth that tells of a young, arrogant woman named Gamba who was cursed and transformed into the perpetually weaving insect.
Venom and Safety Concerns
Concerns about the danger posed by large spiders are common, yet the vast majority of Gagamba species are not a serious threat to human health. Nearly all spiders possess venom, but the venom of the common Philippine Huntsman Spider, for example, is not considered medically significant to people. While a bite from a Huntsman can be painful at the localized site, it typically results in only minor symptoms like swelling or a headache, and rarely requires professional medical attention.
The smaller jumping spiders and orb-weavers involved in cultural games are even less of a concern, as their fangs are often too small or weak to effectively penetrate human skin. If a bite does occur from a common Gagamba, cleaning the wound and applying a cold compress to manage local swelling is generally the most appropriate first aid. Although extremely rare, the Philippines does host a few introduced species, such as the Black Widow, whose venom is highly potent, but these instances are exceptions.