124 THE MANOBOS OF MINDANAO— GARVAN [MEUO {voL N xxnt 



The coffin is a hexagonal receptacle hewn out of a log, 31 and provided with a truncated prism 

 lid of the same wood. It frequently has a few ornamental tracings of soot or other pigment, and 

 where European cloth is procurable a few pieces may be employed as a wrapping. The corpse 

 is wrapped in a mat and laid in the coffin, the head being placed upon a rude pillow of wood. 

 The coffin is then firmly lashed with rattan and is not removed till the hour for interment. 

 Frequently lemons, sd-i grass, and various other redolent herbs are placed on or near it with a 

 view, I was told, to repressing the odor of the dead. It is probable, however, that they are 

 thought to have magic or other virtues. They certainly are objects of fear to the death demons. 



The wailing, weird and wild, of the women was violent in nearly every case I witnessed, 

 especially when the corpse was taken out of the house on its way to the burial place. The 

 grief displayed by the male relatives is not so intense but I noticed frequently that even they 

 broke into tears. I may add here that I was often informed that the absence of the outward 

 signs of grief is an infallible evidence of a speedy death, and that it is considered unlucky to allow 

 one's tears to fall on the corpse. 



Before describing the burial, I desire to mention a peculiar proceeding which I observed on 

 one occasion. 32 Before the corpse had been placed in the coffin, one of those present, seizing 

 a dog, placed it transversely on the breast of the deceased for a few seconds. I was told that 

 the object of the action was to remove the dog's bad luck 33 by putting him in the above-mentioned 

 position, as he had for some time been rather unlucky in the chase. This proceeding was verified 

 by subsequent inquiries in other settlements, and the custom and its explanation were found 

 to be identical with the above mentioned. 



THE FUNERAL 



As a rule the burial takes place the morning after the death, unless the death occurred during 

 the night, in which case it takes place the following afternoon. Decomposition is never allowed 

 to set in. 



When all is ready, a last tribute and farewell are paid to the deceased. The family priest 

 sets an offering of betel nut near the coffin, beseeching the dead one to depart in peace and bear 

 no ill will to the living. He promises at the same time that the mortuary feast 34 will be prepared 

 with all possible speed. The deceased is addressed, usually by several relatives and friends who 

 wish him well in his new home and repeat the invitation to come to the death feast and bring 

 grandfather and grandmother and all other relatives that had preceded him to the land of Ibu. 



Then, amid great wailing, the coffin is borne away hastily. Only men assist at the burial, 

 and as a rule a male priest, sometimes several, accompany the funeral party in order to assist them 

 against the evil ones that throng to the grave. The priests take up their positions, as I witnessed 

 on several occasions, at strategic points behind trees, with balanced lance and not infrequently 

 with shield. I have seen others provided with sa-sd reed in anticipation of wounding some over- 

 bold spirits. 



I observed a very peculiar custom on several occasions. On the way to the grave the men 

 indulged in wild shouts. No other explanation was offered except that such was the custom. 

 It was suggested, however, that it is a means of driving off the demons who may have got the 

 scent of death, or, again, it may be to warn travelers that there is a funeral, thus enabling them 

 to avoid meeting it, as this is said to be most unlucky. 



I have heard of the dead being buried under the house. However, the practice is infre- 

 quent and is usually followed at the request of the dying one. It is needless to add that the house 

 and neighboring crops are abandoned. When possible a high piece of ground is selected in the 

 very heart of the forest and a small clearing is made. The work at the grave is apportioned 

 without much parleying, some of the men devoting themselves to making the customary roof 36 



" A-yu-yao, said to be very durable, being found in perfect preservation after two years; kibidid or ilang-ilang are also used. 



" San Luis, 1906. 



n Pd-vad. 



N Ka-ta put-an. 



" Btn-ai-lu. 



