CHAPTER VIII 



ALIMENTATION 

 FIRE AND ITS PRODUCTION 



The Manobo is unable to explain the nature of fire, but he has two very primitive but 

 effective ways of producing it, namely, the fire-saw, and the flint and steel. Owing to the sale 

 of Manila and Japanese matches to such of the Manobos as come in contact with traders or with 

 trading posts, the ancient methods of making fire are falling into disuse. 



THE FIRE-SAW 1 



This might be more properly called the friction method, for the fire is obtained by rubbing 

 edgewise one piece of bamboo at right angles to, and over the back of, another. 



The "saw," as it is usually called, or upper piece, must be long enough, say 30 centimeters, 

 to enable one to hold it firmly with both hands. The breadth is immaterial, provided it be broad 

 enough to resist the pressure. One edge must be cut sharp. 



The "horse," or lower piece, ought to be at least 10 centimeters broad and of any length. 

 It is essential that the under surface be sufficiently convex to admit the free passage of air when 

 the bamboo is placed upon a solid resting place. In the center of this bamboo is made a hole at 

 least 1 millimeter in diameter. All is now ready for the operation. 



The "horse" is set down upon some clean solid piece of wood or stone with its inner or 

 concave side downwards, in such a way that it can not move. The "saw" is placed transversely 

 across the "horse," the sharp edge being right over the hole. Holding it firmly with a hand at 

 each end, it is worked steadily, rapidly and with great pressure across the "horse," precisely as 

 if it were desired to saw it in two. After some 15 strokes, there appears a little smoke, and the 

 operator increases the rapidity of his movement, until he thinks that there is sufficient fire under- 

 neath the bamboo. Then he blows down through the hole in order to separate any such bamboo 

 dust as may still remain in or around it. He removes the "horse" applying at once a little lint 

 or other tinder to the glowing particles of bamboo. He then transfers his fire to a piece of good 

 dry wood, preferably to an old firebrand, and in a few seconds has a permanent fire. 



For the process it is essential that the bamboo selected be dry and well seasoned, for other- 

 wise the dust produced by the rubbing will not ignite. There are a few varieties of wood that 

 answer the same purpose, but I am unable to give the names though I have seen them used. 



THE STEEL AND FLINT PROCESS 2 



The Manobo method of making fire with flint and steel differs in no wise from that used by 

 our own forbears. The tinder used is a fluff obtained from the sugar palm. 3 It is found around 

 the frond bases and after being thoroughly dried, is kept with the flint and steel in a special 

 bamboo or rattan receptacle. 



CONTINUATION OF THE FIRE 



Once lighted, the fire in the house is kept up, ordinarily not for any ceremonial reason, as far 

 as I have been able to ascertain, but because it is the custom. It is commonly used to furnish 

 light and is kept burning during the night for that purpose. In the mountainous districts, 

 where there is always the possibility of an attack, the fire is sedulously maintained both for light 

 and heat. On occasions fraught with danger from malignant spirits, fire is kept burning for 

 ceremonial reasons as a safeguard against the stealthy approach of the spirits. 



■ Oui-fiU-an. ' Ti'-ti. ' Arenga taccharifcra. It is called hi-juip or hi-diup in Manobo. 



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