The Wild Tribes of Davao District, Mindanao | Page 9

of
flattened bamboo. The ridge pole is always at a sufficient height above
the floor to give the roof a steep peak, and is of such length that, at the
top, the side roof overhangs the ends. The roof generally rises in two
pitches and always extends past the sides of the room.
In house building, the roof, which is made first, is raised to the desired
height, thus serving as a shelter for the workers until the structure is
complete (Plate XIII). Resting on the cross-beams, just below the
rafters, a number of loose boards are laid to form a sort of attic or
storage room where all unused articles, and odds and ends are allowed
to accumulate.
The sides of the room, which are of flattened bamboo, are about six feet
in height, and extend only to within a foot of the roof. In the walls
small peep holes are cut so that the inhabitants can look outside without
being seen (Plate XIV).
The flooring, which is generally made of strips of palma brava, is in
two levels, forming a narrow elevated platform at one end of the room
on which a part of the family sleep.
The furniture of this house is very scanty. Near to the door is the
"stove" (Fig. 8)--a bed of ashes in which three stones are sunk to form a
support for the pots and jars and nearby stand a few native jars and
sections of bamboo filled with water. On a hanger above the fire may
be found articles of food, seeds, and the like, which need protection
from flies and insects. Against the wall is a bamboo rack (Fig. 9), filled
with Chinese plates, or half cocoanut shells which serve as dishes. Near
to the stove is a rice mortar standing on its own wooden pedestal which
reaches to the ground (Fig. 10).

FIG. 8. THE "STOVE."
FIG. 9. BAMBOO PLATE RACK.
FIG. 10A. RICE MORTAR.
FIG. 10B. PEDESTAL WHICH REACHES TO THE GROUND.
FIG. 10C. CIRCLE OF CORN HUSKS PLACED SO AS TO
PREVENT GRAIN FROM FALLING OUT.
FIG. 10D. WOODEN PESTLE.
A child's cradle, made of a blanket suspended hammock-like between
the wall and a beam support, will probably be found. A few boxes and
jars, usually of Chinese make, and always a copper gong or two are
regular furnishings, while to these can be added a miscellany of
clothing, looms, spears, shields, meat blocks, spoons (Fig. 11), and the
like. Akin to furniture, since they are found in every house, are little
basket-like receptacles made by splitting one end of a bamboo pole into
several vertical strips and then weaving in other shorter horizontal
strips (Fig. 12). These are attached to walls and supporting poles, and
in them offerings are made to the various spirits.
FIG. 11. COCOANUT SHELL SPOONS WITH WOODEN
HANDLES.
FIG. 12. TAMBARA OR BASKET-LIKE RECEPTACLE IN WHICH
OFFERINGS ARE MADE TO THE SPIRITS.
This is our picture of a typical home. It is not a cheery place by day, for
the lack of windows, as well as a fog of smoke from the open stove,
makes it dark and gloomy. Nevertheless, since the house offers a cool
retreat from the blazing sun, and the smoke-laden air is free from flies
and mosquitoes, it is a popular resort for all members of the family
during the hottest part of the day. The little light, which filters in
through the many cracks in the floors and walls, is sufficient to allow
the women to spin, dye, weave, and decorate their clothing, or to

engage in other activities. After dark the resinous nuts of the bitaog tree,
or leaf covered resin torches are burned, and by their uncertain light the
women and men carry on their labors until far into the night. Entrance
to the dwelling is gained by means of a notched log, bamboo pole, or
by a ladder of the same material. As a protection against strong winds
many props are placed against the sides of the house, and when large
trees are available the dwellings are further secured by being anchored
to them with rattan lines.
In each settlement or district will be found one large house built on the
same general plan as the smaller dwellings, but capable of housing
several hundred people (Plate XV). This is the home of the local datu
or ruler. All great ceremonies are held here, and it is the place to which
all hasten when danger threatens. It is the social center of the
community, and all who desire go there at any time and remain as long
as they wish, accepting meanwhile the food and hospitality of the ruler.
A brief description of the house of Datu Tongkaling will give a good
idea of this type of