The Wild Tribes of Davao District, Mindanao: The R. F. Cummings Philippine ExpeditionCole, Fay-Cooper
History
The Wild Tribes of Davao District, Mindanao: The R. F. Cummings Philippine Expedition
Cole, Fay-Cooper
Ethnology -- Philippines -- Mindanao Island
Two powerful spirits, _Diwata_ and _TimanEm_, watched the formation of
the world, and when it was completed the latter spirit planted trees
upon it. He still takes considerable interest in the affairs of men and
each year sends the spirits Layag and Bangay,[93] as stars, to tell the
people when to prepare their land for the planting of crops.
[93] See page 154.
Other spirits, less friendly, have existed from the first time. Of these
one named Siling causes much trouble by confusing travelers through the
forest. Spirits of unborn children--_mantianak_[94]--wander through the
forest crying "ina-a-a" (mother), and often attack human beings. The
only way persons thus assailed can hope to escape is by running to a
stream and throwing water on the abdomens of their pursuers.
[94] Frequently called _busau_.
The powerful spirit Tama owns the deer and wild pig, and is usually kind
to hunters who offer him proper gifts. Should they fail in this duty he
may cause them to become lost or injured. Mandalangan (Mandangan) is
known as a powerful spirit who loves war and bloodshed, but he is so
closely interwoven in the minds of the people with TimanEm that it is
doubtful if he should be classed as a separate spirit.
In addition to these beings are the _kawE_, or shades of the dead, the
chiefs of whom are the people who created the earth. During life the
_kawE_ live in the body, but after death they go to the sky where they
remain the greater part of the time. They do return to earth at certain
seasons, to aid or injure the living, and it is usually one of their
number who keeps guard over the rice-fields. Certain persons known as
_balian_ can talk to these spirits and from them have learned the
ceremonies which the people should perform at certain seasons, and at
the critical periods of life. In the main these ceremonies are so
similar to those just described that it is useless to repeat. The
proceedings at a birth, marriage, or death are practically identical
with the Kulaman, as are also those at planting and harvest time. A
slight variation was noticed after the rice planting at Padada, when all
the workers placed their planting sticks on an offering of rice and then
poured water over them "so as to cause an abundance of rain." Another
difference is noticed following the death of a warrior. His knife lies
in its sheath beside the body for seven days and during that time can
only be drawn if it is to be used in sacrificing a slave. If such an
offering is made it is carried out in much the same way as the Bagobo
sacrifice, except that the bereaved father, son, or brother cuts the
body in halves.
If it is impossible to offer a slave, a palm leaf cup is filled with
water and is carried to the forest. Here the relatives dance and then
dip the knife and some sticks in the water for "this is the same as
dipping them in blood." Later they are carried back and hung up in the
house of mourning.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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