academy or sciences] INTERTRIBAL AND OTHER RELATIONS 185 



By ordinary slaves M are meant those who have been purchased or who have been delivered 

 over in payment of fines or marriages. There is no institution in Manoboland by which a free- 

 man, not a minor, can become a slave by reason of debt. But minors, usually relatives of the 

 debtor, sometimes in an exigency are turned over in payment of a debt. This is usually done with 

 a view to avoiding bloodshed. 



DELIVERY AND TREATMENT OF SLAVES 



The manner of delivering the slave to a new owner depends ordinarily upon the feelings with 

 which he regards the change, except in the case of children, who are easily coaxed into accept- 

 ing it. In the case of older persons who have been attached to their owners, the matter is more 

 difficult, as they display a reluctance to change hands. A ruse is then resorted to, as in a case 

 which I witnessed. The person, in this case a slave girl, was sent to her purchaser's house, 

 ostensibly for the purpose of procuring salt and of delivering a basket of paddy. As she was 

 about to return her purchaser called her back into the house. She then, realizing the circum- 

 stances, burst into tears, but was soon soothed by the wives of her new owner. 



On the whole slaves are not mistreated. Like all menials, they at times become remiss in 

 the performance of what is expected of them, and accordingly are given a few blows with a stick 

 or other convenient object. In a very passionate moment, or when drunk, the master may cut 

 off his slave girl's hair or denude her completely in the presence of the household, but such acts 

 are of very rare occurrence. 



Immediately after being captured, or after a change of master, the slave feels his lot keenly, 

 but as time goes on and as he realizes that there is no hope of deliverance, the remembrance of his 

 relatives fades away and he resigns himself to his fate. Sometimes one finds a slave who has 

 become so attached to his master that he is unwilling to return to his relatives. This is true of 

 those who have been captured when young, and especially of girls. A fondness often grows up 

 between the latter and their master's wife, and separation causes loud and long weeping. 



A slave enjoys no rights, either personal or political. He can be disposed of without his 

 consent either by sale or in marriage, or in any other way his master sees fit. If he runs away he is 

 pursued and brought back to his master's house. If he runs away with frequency, and the owner 

 is unable to dispose of him to some one else, he is simply speared to death. I never witnessed 

 the actual killing, but trustworthy accounts authenticate the fact that formerly, at least, it 

 occasionally took place. If a slave flees from his master's house no one may aid or abet him in his 

 flight, though it is lawful for anyone to capture him with the intention of returning him to his 

 master, who in this case must pay the capturer i*15. 15 



The slave does his share of domestic service. To the female falls the task of drawing water, 

 gathering firewood, pounding rice, cooking, and weeding; to the male that of acting as his master's 

 companion, porter, and general messenger, and of planting camotes and other crops. 



The slave's dress is usually sufficient to cover his nakedness and no more. Ear disks, brace- 

 lets, and similar articles of feminity are not allowed, and too neat arrangement of the hair is not 

 countenanced, as it might be indicative of matrimonial inclinations. Marriage of his slaves is 

 not looked upon with favor by the master, and he does not permit it unless the material advantages 

 are so great that they will repay him for the loss of the slave's services. 



I know of few slave marriages. Captives, however, are said to be married off for a good 

 payment, when their looks and other good quahties have won the heart of some young man. 



My observation and the testimony of Manoboland as to the sexual morality of slaves is that 

 it is excellent, though no vigilance seems to be exercised over them in the matter. The female 

 slave makes trips alone to the water place even by night, and spends many hours of the day in 



M A ng-lang. 



is On my last trip among the Mandayas of southeastern Mindanao (Karaga River) I was instrumental in saving the life of a woman slave who 

 had escaped six times. At the time of her escape six slaves, led by a boy slave of about 14 years of age, had fled from the house of their master. 

 They were recaptured and no punishment except a good scolding and an infinity of threats was meted out to them. A few days afterwards an elderly 

 slave again escaped. She was discovered in a neighboring house and brought back by the wife and daughter of her owner. When her master saw 

 her he rushed from bis house with spear and bolo and would have killed her had it Dot been lor my remonstrances and entreaties. 



