The Inhabitants of the PhilippinesSawyer, Frederic H.
History
The Inhabitants of the Philippines
Sawyer, Frederic H.
Ethnology -- Philippines; Philippines -- Social life and customs
The Zambales are a small and unimportant tribe of the Malay race, with
some admixture of Negrito blood. They inhabit part of the province of
Zambales from the River Nája down to South Felipe, a coast village
in 15° N. latitude, and in their mountains there roam a good many
Negritos. The Zambales are subjugated and converted to Christianity,
but some still maintain a partial independence amongst the mountains,
paying, however, the "Reconocimentio de Vassallaje." At the time of
the conquest, these people were famous head-hunters, and otherwise
manifested a bloodthirsty disposition. They lived in villages of
thirty to forty families, quite independent of each other, and their
chiefs possessed but little influence. When one of a family died the
surviving male relatives put on a black head-cloth or turban, which
they durst not remove until one of them had killed some one else so
as to satisfy the death vengeance. A murder could be atoned for by a
payment in gold or in goods, or a slave or Negrito might be delivered
up to be sacrificed to the manes of the departed. It was customary
amongst them to take with them to their feasts the heads or skulls
they possessed. The heads were placed on poles and ceremonial dances
were performed around them. They also emulated the Vikings by making
drinking cups out of their enemies' skulls.
Their religion was similar to that of the Tagals. Their principal god
was called Malayari, but he had under him two deputy gods, Acasi and
Manglobag, and a large number of inferior gods. Their chief priest
was called Bayoc, and exercised great influence amongst them. They
celebrated baptism with the blood of a pig. Amongst them, as in
Borneo and with many tribes of Malays who are not Mahometans, the
pig is considered as the most acceptable sacrifice to the gods. For
particulars about this I refer the reader to 'Life in the Forests of
the Far East,' by Spenser St. John.
Now, at last, they have been brought into the Christian fold,
though, perhaps, amongst the pine-clad mountains, heathen customs
maintain their hold upon the wild hillmen. These latter trade with
their Christian and partly-civilised brethren, bringing them jungle
produce, tobacco, and the small bezoar stones, so highly prized
by the Chinese, in return for articles they require. The Zambales
raise some rice and a little sugar. Their trade is inconsiderable,
their exports being limited to Sapan wood, jungle produce, timber,
fire-wood, and charcoal, all of which is shipped to Manila, where it
finds a ready sale. The total population of this province was 94,551
in 1876, but only a portion of these were Zambales.
Pangasinanes (4).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account