AuDBHYorsciiNCH] PERSONAL ADORNMENT 57 



Without the aid of diagrams or pictures it is difficult to describe in an intelligible and com- 

 prehensive manner the numerous designs that are used in tattooing. Each locality may have 

 its own distinct fashion, differing from the fashion prevalent in another region. And as the 

 designs seem to be the result of individual whim and fancy it would be an almost endless task to 

 describe all of them in detail. Suffice it to say in general that they follow in both nomenclature 

 and in general appearance the figures embroidered on jackets, with the important addition of 

 figures of a crocodile, and of stars and leaves, as is indicated by the names. 19 



The figures are neither intricate nor grotesque, but simple and plain, displaying a certain 

 amount of artistic merit for so primitive and so remote a people. On close inspection they show 

 up in good clear lines, but at a distance they appear as nothing but dim blue spots or blotches. 

 For durability they can not be surpassed. No means are known whereby to eradicate them. I 

 compared tattoo marks on old men with those on young men and I could not discern any differ- 

 ence in the brightness nor in the preservation of the design. 



In men the portions of the body tattooed are the whole chest, the upper arms, the forearms, 

 and the fingers. Women on the other hand, in addition to tattooings on those parts, receive an 

 elaborate design on the calves, and sometimes on the whole leg. 



Unlike the four mutilations already described, circumcision is not for ornamental purposes. 

 According to the Manobo's way of thinking it serves a more utilitarian purpose, for it is supposed 

 to be essential to the procreation of children. How such a belief first originated I have been 

 unable to learn, but nevertheless the belief is universal, strong, and abiding. To be called 

 uncircumcised is one of the greatest reproaches that can be thrown at a Manobo, and it is said 

 that he would stand no chance for marriage unless the operation had been performed; the 

 womenfolk woidd laugh and jeer at him. So it may be said that the custom is obligatory. 



The operation is performed a year or two before puberty. No ceremonies or feasts are held 

 in connection with it. The father, or a male relative of the child, takes the small knife (ba-dl') 

 and placing it lengthwise over the lower part of the prepuce, makes a slit by hitting the back of 

 the knife with a piece of wood or any convenient object at hand. It thus appears that it is not 

 circumcision in the full meaning of the word but rather an incision. This operation is confined 

 to males and is the only sexual mutilation practiced. 



" Binu-d-ja, (from bu-wi-ja, crocodile), gin-i-bang (from gi-bang, iguana) and bin-u-yo (from bu-jo', the betel leaf). 

 » Tiirli'. 



