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Academy of Sciences NAKCOTIC AND STIMULATING ENJOYMENTS 69 



strength, quality, and flavor of the final drink. A mixture of half and half is said to yield the best 

 beverage. If fermentation is allowed to continue for a few months, the resulting liquor is of a 

 clear crystalline color, and will compare both in flavor and strength with those more up to date. 



DRINKING 



GENERAL REMARKS 



Though the Manobos invariably drink during religious feasts, yet neither during the feast 

 itself, nor in the preparation of the toddy, have I ever observed any religious ceremony nor were 

 any magic or other preternatural means employed. It is true that when the crushing appliance 

 is set up, the fowl-waving ceremony, followed by the blood unction, is performed. I witnessed 

 this ceremony myself in several parts of the Agusan River Valley. But such ceremonies are cus- 

 tomary on the erection of houses, smithies, and so forth, and bear no relation to the actual 

 production of the drink. 



During religious ceremonies a bowlful of the brew is set out with the usual viands, such as 

 meat and rice, for the di-u-a-ta, tag-ba-nu-a (lords of the hills and the valleys), and for other 

 spirits, for they, too, like to be regaled with the good things of this world. 



Drink is taken on the occurrence of all the great religious and social feasts and upon the 

 arrival of a distinguished friend or visitor — also when it is desired to make a good bargain or to 

 secure any other end by convivial means. The acquisition of an unusual amount of fish or of 

 meat is a common occasion for the making of the brew and gives rise to the following practice: 



THE SUMSTJM-AN 



The sumsum-an, i. e., the eating of meat or fish with an accompaniment of drink, a universal 

 practice throughout the Agusan Valley, the Salug Valley, and the whole Mandaya country, is a 

 thing that appeals especially to the true Mandaya, Manobo, and Mangguangan. When a 

 man of one of these tribes has secured a good catch of fish, or has trapped a wild boar, he pro- 

 cures a supply of beverage and meets his guests at the appointed place, usually his little farm- 

 house. As soon as all are assembled, the fish or the meat is broiled on sticks of wood over the 

 fire. When it is cooked, the women lay it out and it is slashed into pieces, usually by the host, 

 and apportioned with great precision as to weight, quality, amount of bone, and quantity of 

 meat. During this operation, a few bamboo jointfuls of brew are brought from some hiding 

 place and a relative of the householder sits down with one under his arm. Before him are set 

 such articles as glasses and bowls, if obtainable, or in lieu thereof, small pieces of bamboo joints, 

 each holding about a tumblerful, and not very different in shape from handleless German steins. 

 These bamboo cups admirably fulfill the purpose. The distributor of the liquor slices a little 

 strip from under the mouth of his bamboo deposit to prevent loss of the liquor during pouring, 

 then he inserts two fingers into the mouth of the bamboo and makes an opening through the 

 leaves for the drink, but not so large as to give free exit to such insects as may have found their 

 way into the liquid. He then fills up the vessels at hand, taking care to give to each an equal 

 amount. 



It is to be noted that it is an inviolable custom that the host drinks first. This is because 

 of the widespread belief in secret poisons. After drinking the host passes the cup to those whom 

 he wishes to honor, unless they are already provided, and using some expression corresponding to 

 our English "Here goes," the guest or guests quaff the brew. The bowls or other vessels are 

 returned to the distributor, and the process is repeated until all have had a drink. 



DRINKING DURING RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL FEASTS 



During religious and social feasts the drinking customs are as above described, except that 

 the beverage is set out in sacred jars, when on hand, and with such an array of bowls as the host 

 may possess. One of these feasts, notably the marriage feast, may be attended by as many as 



• Li-gi-tan. 



