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
The _magani_ is one of the leaders in a war party; he is chosen to
inflict the death penalty when it is decreed, and it is men of this
class that assist in the human sacrifices. He is under the special
protection of Mandarangan and Darago, and all petitions to these
powerful spirits must be made through him. His clothing is considered
the property of these spirits, and when such specimens were secured for
the collection, the wearer would invariably place the garment beside
some prized article, such as a knife or spear, then taking a green betel
nut would rub the garment and object, meanwhile beseeching the spirits
to leave the one and enter the other. Later the nut was placed in the
_tambara_ belonging to those spirits. A father may not bequeath to his
son the right to the red clothing; and such articles, together with his
weapons, should be buried with him. Should one not entitled to these
garments dare to make use of them, the spirits would straightway cause
his body to swell or turn yellow, and he would die.
In a previous paragraph we mentioned the unorganized priesthood, the
members of which are known as _mabalian_. Men are not barred from this
profession, but the greater number of its members are old, or
middle-aged, women.[31] A woman may live the greater part of her life
without an idea of becoming a member of this order, and then suddenly be
warned in dreams, by visions, or by other _mabalian_ that she has been
chosen by the spirits. The one thus elected becomes a pupil of a
qualified _mabalian_ and for several months will be drilled in the
duties of that office. She will be taught the medicines to be used at
certain times,[32] the duties of a midwife, the correct method of
building shrines and conducting ceremonies, and finally, she will learn
the prayers with which the spirits should be addressed. It seems to be
the belief that, at times during the ceremonies, the _mabalian_ may be
possessed by a spirit and that she then speaks not as a mortal but as
the spirit itself. She also knows how to weave and dye the turban worn
by the _magani_, and because of this accomplishment is considered to be
under the protection of Baitpandi,[33] and is permitted to wear garments
made of red cloth, the same as the _magani_.
[31] There are five _mabalian_ in Cibolan, all of whom are women past
middle life.
[32] A medicine is used with the idea that it assists in driving away
evil influences.
[33] The patron spirit of the weavers.
The workers in the various crafts are under the guidance and protection
of special spirits, but there is no bar against other members of the
tribe entering those professions.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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