The Wild Tribes of Davao District, Mindanao | Page 7

placed. (Fig.
5a). This leaf acts as a spring, continually enlarging the opening until
the ear plugs can be inserted. Another method, sometimes employed, is
to fill the opening with small round sticks (Fig. 5b), adding more from
time to time, until the desired result is obtained. The plugs worn by the
women are of wood, the fronts of which are inlaid with silver or brass
in artistic designs, and are connected by strands of beads passing under
the chin (Fig. 6). Large wooden ornaments are also worn by the men,
but more prized are large ivory ear plugs made like enormous collar
buttons (Plates II-IV). These are very rare, since the ivory for their
manufacture must be secured from Borneo, and by the time it has
passed through the hands of many traders it has assumed a value which
limits the possession of articles made from it to a few wealthy men. A
further method of ear adornment, frequently seen among the women,
consists of beads sewed into a number of holes which have been
pierced through the helices of the ears.
FIG. 5. EAR STRETCHERS.
FIG. 6. WOMAN'S EAR PLUGS.
Both men and women file and blacken the teeth. When a boy or girl has
reached the age of puberty, it is time that this beautifying should be
done. There is, however, no prohibition to having it performed earlier if
desired. The candidate places his head against the operator and grips a
stick of wood between his teeth while each tooth is filed so as to leave
only the stump, or is cut or broken to a point (Plate XIIa and b). When
this has been successfully accomplished, what is left of the teeth is
blackened.
The color is obtained in two ways. The more common method is to
place a piece of metal on one end of a bamboo[1] tube, the other
extremity of which rests on glowing coals. The smoke from the
charring bamboo is conducted through the tube to the cold metal on
which it leaves a deposit or "sweat." This deposit is rubbed on the teeth,
at intervals, for several days until they become a shiny black. A second
method is to use a powder known as tapEl which is secured from the

lamod tree. The writer did not see this tree but, from the description
given of it, believes it to be the tamarindus. This powder is put on
leaves and is chewed. During the period of treatment the patient is
under certain restrictions. He may neither drink water, cook or eat
anything sour, nor may he attend a funeral. Should he do so his teeth
will have a poor color or be "sick." When the teeth have been properly
beautified the young man or woman is considered ready to enter
society.
[1] A variety known as balakayo is used for this purpose.
Boys run about quite nude until they are three or four years of age.
Until about the same age the girls' sole garment is a little pubic shield,
cut from a coconut shell and decorated with incised lines filled with
lime (Fig. 7). Not infrequently bells are attached to the sides of this
"garment." When children do begin to wear clothing their dress differs
in no respects from that of their elders.
FIG. 7. LITTLE GIRLS' PUBIC SHIELDS.
SKETCH OF FUNDAMENTAL RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.
Although we shall treat religion more fully in a later paragraph, it is
desirable that we now gain an idea of those beliefs which enter
intimately into every activity of the daily life of this people.
The Bagobo believes in a mighty company of superior beings who
exercise great control over the lives of men. Above all is Eugpamolak
Manobo, also called Manama, who was the first cause and creator of all.
Serving him is a vast number of spirits not malevolently inclined but
capable of exacting punishment unless proper offerings and other
tokens of respect are accorded them. Below them is a horde of low,
mean spirits who delight to annoy mankind with mischievous pranks,
or even to bring sickness and disaster to them. To this class generally
belong the spirits who inhabit mountains, cliffs, rooks, trees, rivers, and
springs. Standing between these two types are the shades of the dead
who, after they have departed from this life, continue to exercise
considerable influence, for good or bad, over the living.

We have still to mention a powerful class of supernatural beings who,
in strength and importance, are removed only a little from the Creator.
These are the patron spirits.
Guarding the warriors are two powerful beings, Mandarangan and his
wife, Darago, who are popularly supposed to make their home in the
crater of the volcano. They bring success in battle and give to the
victors loot and