academy or sconces] RELIGIOUS IDEAS AND MENTAL CHARACTERISTICS 35 



forest hailing them back to their old haunts. These characteristics will explain also a host of 

 anomalies that are noticeable throughout the Man6bo's life. 



The first visit of a stranger to a primitive settlement may produce upon him a very unfavor- 

 able impression. He may find that the women and children have fled, so that he finds himself 

 surrounded by men, all armed. This should not discourage him, as it happens in many cases that 

 the men were unable to keep the women from flight. The wearing of arms is as much a custom 

 with Man6bos as the wearing of a watch is with us. The bolo is his life and his livelihood. Were 

 he not to wear it he would be branded as insane, and.he looks upon a defenseless person, stranger 

 or otherwise, much in the same light, unless he attributes the absence of a weapon to the posses- 

 sion of secret powers of protection, in which case he is inclined to followthe example of the fugitive 

 women and betake himself beyond the reach of harm. 



Upon first acquaintance the Manobo will ask a host of questions that will tax the patience of 

 the visitor if he ventures to answer them personally. These questions spring from a desire to 

 learn the motives of the visit. People from the neighboring houses drop in at intervals just as 

 soon as word reaches them of the new arrival, and may continue to do so until the time of the vis- 

 itor's departure, thereby keeping the house crowded. The assembling of these people arises from 

 a desire to see the visitor and to find out the object of his visit. Hence the newcomers will pro- 

 ceed to ask him every imaginable question that may suggest itself and if any answer conveys 

 information that has anything of the wonderful in it for them, it gives rise to a thousand and 

 one other questions, the responses to which often tax a visitor's patience. 



Another part of the visit is the frank demand on the part of the primitive people for any 

 object of the visitor which they may take a fancy to. They always understand, however, a quiet 

 refusal, if it is accompanied by an appropriate reason. 



It happens sometimes that the chief of the settlement will claim a fee for transgression upon 

 his territory, but he will usually accept a small present in lieu thereof, or will forego any gift, if the 

 matter is argued, quietly and diplomatically. The Manobo resents harsh words, especially when 

 used toward him in the presence of those who are his nominal subjects. Personalities or threats 

 in such a case often prove fatal. 



It is not good etiquette to ask a Manobo bis name, especially if he is a chief, until one has 

 acquired somewhat of an acquaintance with him. The information must be secured from a third 

 party and in a quiet way. Moreover, it is customary to address chiefs and other persons of 

 distinction by the names of their corresponding titles. Thus a warrior chief is addressed bagdni, 

 and not by bis proper name. 



It is needless to say that no familiarity should be taken with the person of another until 

 acquaintance has been cultivated far enough to permit it. Thus touching another on the arm to 

 call his attention to something may be resented and may result in an attempt to collect a fine. 



The handling of arms requires a word. The lance must be stuck in the ground, head up, at the 

 foot of the house ladder; or, if it must be brought into the house, as at night, the owner must take 

 care that it points at no one while being handled. If one desires to draw a bolo from its sheath, 

 he must draw it slowly, and if it is to be presented to another, the blade must be kept facing the 

 owner's body and the handle presented to the other man. The same rule holds for the dagger. 



It will be noticed that as a general rule the men in a Man6bo settlement go armed and keep 

 their hands on their weapons, especially during mealtime, at which time it is customary to eat 

 with the left hand, the right hand being reserved for the use of the weapon in an emergency. 



There are a number of other rules of intercourse that serve to safeguard life and to maintain 

 proper respect on the part of each individual for the person of his neighbor. These will be 

 found scattered throughout this paper. 



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