ALIMENTATION 59 



Should the fire become extinguished, a fire brand is borrowed from another house, if there is 

 one in the vicinity, but, if there are no neighbors recourse is had to one of the above-described 



methods. 



LIGHTING 



Fire is ordinarily the principal, and not infrequently the only source of light. It is only in 

 districts in close proximity to the settlements of Christianized Manobos that the luxury of coal 

 oil is enjoyed. 



The only source of light in the house, other than that from the fire, is a species of resin which 

 is collected from a tree that is found in great abundance in eastern Mindanao. 4 The method of 

 obtaining the resin is to make a good cut in the tree about 1 mill im eter above the ground and to 

 catch the resin in a bark or leaf receptacle. This is usually done overnight. Broken pieces of 

 the resin are then placed in a conical receptacle, made of green leaves, usually of the rattan, bound 

 with rattan strips or other vegetable fastening. When needed, the larger end of this bundle of 

 resLn is lighted at the fire and the torch is set upon the floor supported in a tilted position by the 

 most convenient object at hand, frequently the whetstone. 



This torch is a good and economical illuminant. It has, however, two defects: First, the 

 ugly habit of spitting out occasional sparks, which cause a somewhat painful sore if they happen 

 to hit the flesh; and, second, a tendency to extinguish itself at intervals on account of the burnt 

 residue that gradually covers the resin. The ash may be easily removed with a stick and then the 

 light blazes out at once, casting a bright glare on the brown and naked figures of the inmates. 



When a light is needed for outdoor purposes, a piece of seasoned bamboo, split at one end, or 

 a firebrand of wood, is carried in lieu of the resin. It is an invariable custom to cany a firebrand, 

 while outdoors at night, not only for the purpose of fighting the way but for daunting the evil 

 spirits that are thought to roam about in the gloom of night. 



CULINARY AND TABLE EQUIPMENT 



The Manobo is particularly poor in cooking utensils. With the exception of a very occasional 

 iron pot, and a much less frequent pan, he has none of the kitchen apparatus of more civilized 

 peoples. 



The earthen pot of his own manufacture is his mainstay. It resembles the ollas or earthen 

 pots used so universally throughout the Philippines. In addition to this there is used, though 

 very rarely among the remote Manobos, an imported cast-iron pan. 6 It is from 5 centimeters 

 to 10 centimeters in depth and from 25 centimeters to 40 centimeters in diameter, concave, and 

 of the poorest material. It is used for general cooking, for dyeing, and for making a sugar-cane 

 beverage. As it is not provided with a cover, the leaves of the bamboo are used to keep the soot 

 and dirt out and to keep the heat in, especially in steaming camotes and taro. 



When there are not enough pots for the cooking, as on some exceptional occasion, green 

 bamboo internodes with one end open are brought into requisition. Bamboo of the variety 

 known as bo or boho, is preferred, for it gives an extra delicate savor to the contents, as I can 

 testify. Even upon ordinary occasions, fish or meat is sometimes cooked in bamboo for the same 

 reason. The pieces of bamboo are put into the fire in a slanting position, the open end being 

 stopped with leaves. They are turned around occasionally till they are burnt nearly through. 

 The contents are removed by splitting the charred joint into strips. These strips are usually 

 given to the expectant children who scrape and lick them clean. 



I once saw the bark of a tree used for cooking rice, but without success. I was assured that 

 for cooking meat or fish it would answer admirably. 



A ladle, with a handle of wood or bamboo and a head of coconut shell, is about the only 

 article that the Man6bo ordinarily has to serve the purpose of spoons and forks. In the absence 

 of the coconut ladle, he employs the bottom of a bamboo internode to which has been left attached 

 a strip that serves as a handle. For stirring the rice he uses a little paddle made out of a flat 



< Called sai'-tunt or saung. {Oanarium viltosum). ' Called ki-u-ja. 



HAR 





