184 THE MANOBOS OF MINDANAO— GARVAN [MEMO fr 3 oL N xxn£ 



Twenty-five of these gdntafig make a Tcdbdn, bdkkid, or aniga, as it is variously called. This 

 Jcabdn, although there is no measure corresponding to it in Man6boland, would be equivalent in 

 bulk to two sacks of rice, or about 150 liters. 



The yard is the distance from the end of the thumb, when the arm is extended horizontally, 

 to the middle of the sternum. It, of course, varies somewhat with each individual. 



The Bisaya trader, in measuring cloth, considerably shortens his yard by not giving a full 

 stretch to the arm, and by slightly turning the outstretched hand toward his body. This gain, 

 together with another little one secured when he bites off the measured piece from the bolt, 

 makes a total gain of 10 centimeters approximately. Remonstrances on the part of the customer 

 are unavailing, for he is told that such is the length of the trader's yard and, if the customer is not 

 satisfied, he is not obliged to accept the cloth. As it is a credit transaction, the poor Man6bo is 

 obliged to yield. 



The fathom 9 is the distance between the thumb tips when the arms and hands are out- 

 stretched. The fraud practiced by the Bisaya trader in the yard measure is also employed in 

 this. 



The span 10 is the stretch "between the tip of the first finger and that of the thumb as they 

 are stretched over the object to be measured. 



The finger length " is the length of either the first or of the middle finger, according to the 

 custom of each locality. 



The joint length li is the length of the middle joint of the finger. It is a measure that is 

 very seldom used. 



SLAVE TRADE AND SLAVES 



SLAVE TRADE 



I have not visited the Agusan Valley since 1910, so that I am unable to give any information 

 as to the actual extent of slave trading at the present day. From 1905 to 1909 the practice was 

 in vogue, but to no great extent. It is reported on all sides by Mangguangans, Mandayas, 

 Man6bos, and Banudons that since the American occupation it has diminished to a remarkable 

 degree, due to the wonderful reputation of the Americans for having overcome the Spaniards. 

 This diminution was a natural sequence of the decrease of war raids. 



Slave trading among the Man6bos of eastern Mindanao was practically confined to the 

 Ihawan, Ba6bo, upper Simulau, and Agusan Rivers. I am of the opinion that during my four 

 years' residence in the Agusan there were not more than 100 cases of slave trade in the regions 

 outside of the Ihawan and Ba6bo River Valleys. 



The customary value of a slave has been mentioned in this chapter, but it is only proper to 

 add that a great many considerations, such as poor health, weak constitution, and other defects 

 which might lessen the ability of the slave to work, detract from his value. It may be said in 

 general that the value of a slave ranges between 10 and 30 pesos, never exceeding the last figure, 

 at which he stands on a par with an unusually good hunting dog, or with an extra large prolific 

 sow. 



Slave trading does not, in the Man6bo's mind, involve the idea of degradation which attaches 

 to it among other nations. A slave is to the Man6bo a chattel which he can sell, kill, or dispose 

 of in any other way that he may deem expedient. 



CLASSES OF SLAVES 



Captives I8 are those who have been captured from the enemy. At first their treatment may 

 be a little harsh, or they may, when their owners happen to be angry, be killed outright. This 

 is due to the fact that the feelings of revenge have not cooled off. But after a few days their 

 condition and treatment is similar to that of ordinary slaves, except that more precautions are 

 taken to prevent their escape. If fear of their escape is entertained, it is usual to sell them as 

 soon as possible. 



• Dirjn'. n T&d-lo. » Bi-kcg. 



» Dtng-au. n LQm-po. 



