174 THE MANOBOS OF MINDANAO— GARV AN im '"°Jvo? a mii£ 



Should the accused one deny his guilt and should circumstantial evidence point to him as 

 the guilty one, the wax-burning ceremony above described would be performed. If he should 

 still maintain that he was innocent, various methods for the determination of his guilt would 

 be resorted to. 



BY ORDEALS 



The tests made to determine the innocence or guilt of a person are threefold : (1 ) the hot- 

 water ordeal, (2) the diving ordeal, and (3) the candle ordeal. 



The hot-water ordeal. 2 — A brass anklet, armlet, or similar metal object is put into boiling 

 water in one of the iron pans so common throughout the Agusan Valley. The suspected party, 

 or parties, is then called upon to insert a hand into the water and to remove the object that has 

 been placed at the bottom of the shallow pan. Although I have heard many threats of an 

 appeal to this test, I never saw the actual operation of it, but I have been assured repeatedly by 

 those who claimed to have seen the performance that the hand of the guilty one gets badly 

 scalded, while that of an innocent one remains uninjured. The belief in the truth of this test 

 is so strong, that, at times when the ordeal was threatened, I have heard many express not only 

 their willingness but their eagerness to undergo it. 



I have made numerous and very definite inquires in different localities and from members 

 of different tribes as to the reason for the value of the ordeal as a test and as to whether or not 

 it might be explained by the agency of supernatural beings, but in reply always received the 

 answer that no reason could be given except that it had always been so and that religion had no 

 connection with it. 



The diving ordeal? — I never witnessed the actual operation of this ordeal except in play, 

 but the belief in its efficacy is strong and widespread. The operation consists in a trial between 

 the parties under suspicion as to the length of time they can remain under water. Two at a 

 time undergo the test. The one that retains his head under water longer is declared innocent 

 for the time being, but has to undergo the test with each one of the suspected parties. This 

 method seems impossible as a final proof, but such is the procedure as described to me on the 

 upper T&go River. 



Another and more common method is a simultaneous trial by all the accused. At a given 

 signal they submerge their heads. The one that first raises his from the water is declared 

 guilty. I was told by one party that the respective relatives of the accused ones stand by and 

 hold them down by main force. This statement was corroborated by all those present at the 

 time, but, as neither my informant nor anyone else could explain what it would be necessary to 

 do in case of asphyxiation, I do not give credence to the story. 



On numerous occasions I made diving tests in sport with Man6bos and found that I could 

 retain my breath longer than they could. They assured me, nevertheless, that if the test were 

 made as an ordeal and if I were the guilty party, I would infallibly lose. 



The candle ordeal. — Among the Christianized Man6bos of the lake region I found the belief 

 in the efficacy of the candle ordeal for determining the guilt of one of the suspected parties. 

 Candles of the same size are made and are given to the suspects, one to each of them. They are 

 then stuck to the floor and lit at the same time. The contestants have the right to keep them 

 erect and to protect them from the wind. The one whose candle bums out first is declared 

 guilty. 



A belief in the value of ordeals is widespread, but the actual practice of them is very rare. 

 No reason for this has been given to me, although it is stated that the refusal to submit to one 

 would be considered evidence of guilt. 



BY CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE 



In Man6boland circumstantial evidence, in the absence of other evidence, has sufficient 

 weight to convict one who is under suspicion. Hence footprints and other traces of a man's 

 presence are carefully examined. In fact, as a gatherer of testimony, even of the most insignifi- 



' Pag-init. > Sdn-vJb. 



