academy of sc.e N ce3] CUSTOMS REGULATING DOMESTIC RELATIONS, ETC. 171 



of his enemy's anger and determination to appeal to arms reach him, but he must not display 

 cowardice, neither must his opponent openly seek arbitration, for such an action would bespeak 

 fear on both sides. So, on the part of the aggrieved one, there is menace, revenge, and a pre- 

 tense at least not to be amenable to peaceable measures. On the part of the other, there must 

 be no display of fear, no hurry to arbitrate, and a general indifference, at least simulated, as 

 to the outcome. If the offending party answers threat by threat, his opponent may become 

 incensed and hostilities may break out, as happens in other parts of the world. 



In the meantime neighboring chiefs and influential people are throwing the weight of their 

 opinions in favor of peace and if they prevail one or more of them are requested to assist in the 

 final settlement, definite emolument sometimes being promised, especially when either of the 

 contending parties is very anxious to have the matter settled. 



It is the duty now of the mediating chiefs or other persons to bring the parties together. 

 This they do either by inviting the contestants to a neutral house or by persuading one of them 

 to invite the other to his house. 



It may happen that the aggrieved party, instead of following this procedure, precipitates 

 a settlement by sending a fighting bolo or a dagger or a lance to his opponent. This is an ulti- 

 matum. If the weapon is retained it means hostilities. If it is returned, it denotes a willing- 

 ness to submit the matter to arbitration. But the one who receives the weapon probably will 

 not return it at once as he desires to disguise, in the presence of his opponent's emissary, the 

 bearer of the ultimatum, any eagerness he may feel for arbitration. Once having decided that 

 he will submit the matter to arbitration or that he will yield, he announces to the messenger 

 that he will visit his opponent within a specified period and talk matters over and that he is 

 willing to have the affair settled but that his relatives are unwilling. If a bolo or other such 

 object has been sent to him he returns it, for to retain it would signify his unwillingness to submit 

 and his readiness to take the consequences. 



A few days before the appointed time he orders drink to be made and he may go out on a 

 big fishing expedition. He procures also a pig or two. With these, and accompanied by a 

 host of male relatives, he sets out for the house that has been agreed upon. The pigs and drink 

 and other things are deposited in a convenient place near the house, for it would be impolitic 

 to display such proofs of his willingness to yield. 



This is the procedure followed in more serious cases. Cases of lesser importance, which 

 occur with great frequency, are settled almost informally in the following manner: 



When the subject under dispute is not of such a serious nature, either in itself or by reason 

 of aggravating circumstances, like quarrels or violent language that may have preceded it, the 

 ordinary method of settling the trouble consists in a good meal given by one party to the other. 

 Toward the end of the repast, when all present are feeling convivial from the effects of the drink, 

 the question at issue, usually a debt, is taken up and discussed by the parties concerned and 

 their respective relatives. It happens often that the matter is put off to another time, and 

 thus it may require several semifriendly meetings to settle it. On the whole, however, the pro- 

 ceedings are terminated amicably, although I have seen a few very animated scenes at such 

 times. On one occasion a member of the party, accompanied by his relatives, rushed down 

 the pole and seizing his lance and shield challenged his adversary to single combat. The challenge 

 was not accepted, so he and his party marched away vowing vengeance. I have seen bolos 

 or daggers drawn on many occasions but the relatives and others always intervened to prevent 

 bloodshed. It is to be noted that such violent actions are due often to the influence of drink 

 but do not take place more frequently than drunken brawls do in other parts of the world. 



When the case in question is of such an involved and serious character as to make it danger- 

 ous for the accused one to enter the house, he remains hidden till he ascertains how his relatives 

 and friends are progressing. In other cases he personally attends and may argue in his own 

 defense. 1 



1 There is a very formal peace-making procedure followed by the Manobos who have been in contact with the Banuaons of Maasam River, but 

 I never witnessed it, so I can not give any first-hand information as to the details. In the chapter on war will be found such details as have been 

 given to me by trustworthy Bisayas of Talakogon. 



