The uncivilized races of men in all countries of the world; vol. 2 of 2: Being a comprehensive account of their manners and customs, and of their physical, social, mental, moral and religious characteristicsWood, J. G. (John George)
History
The uncivilized races of men in all countries of the world; vol. 2 of 2: Being a comprehensive account of their manners and customs, and of their physical, social, mental, moral and religious characteristics
Wood, J. G. (John George)
Anthropology; Ethnology; Manners and customs
One of these people was in the household of an Archbishop of Manilla,
and was educated by him with great care. To all appearance he was
thoroughly civilized, and at last was ordained priest. But the
instincts of his savage nature were too strong for him, and the
man escaped from his position and civilized society, threw off his
garments, and rejoined his savage relatives. Such instances are
continually occurring, and it is almost impossible to retain an Ajita
in civilized society, no matter how well he may be treated, or how
young he may be when captured.
The habits of the Ajitas are essentially of a savage character, and, as
a rule, travellers in the Philippines are obliged to be very careful
lest they should suddenly be set upon by these dangerous little
creatures. Sometimes, however, they can be gentle, and even hospitable,
and an instance of such conduct is related by M. de la Gironière,
part of whose narrative has been translated and quoted by Mr. Earle:
“We directed our course toward the north, among mountains always
covered with thick forests, and which, like those we had just quitted,
presented no traced route, excepting a few narrow pathways beaten by
wild beasts. We advanced with caution, for we were now in the parts
inhabited by the Ajitas. At night we concealed our fires, and one of us
always acted as sentinel, for what we feared most was a surprise.
“One morning, while pursuing our way in silence, we heard before us a
chorus of squeaking tones, which had more resemblance to the cries of
birds than to the human voice. We kept on our ground, concealing our
approach as much as possible with the aid of the trees and brambles.
All at once we perceived at a little distance about forty savages, of
all sexes and ages, who had absolutely the air of animals. They were on
the banks of a rivulet, surrounding a great fire. We made several steps
in advance, and presented the butt-end of our guns toward them. As soon
as they perceived us, they set up shrill cries and prepared to take
to flight; but I made signs to them, by showing them some packets of
cigars, that we wished to offer them for their acceptance.
“I had fortunately received at Binangonan all the instructions
necessary for knowing how to open a communication with them. As soon
as they comprehended us, they ranged themselves into a line, like men
preparing for a review; this was the signal that we might approach.
We went up to them with our cigars in our hands, and I commenced
distributing them from one extremity of the line. It was very important
that we should make friends with them, and give each an equal share,
according to their custom. The distribution being over, an alliance was
cemented, and peace concluded, when they commenced smoking.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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