PREFACE. 



The material presented in this paper was obtained, for the most 

 part, during a stay of seven months among the tribes of Davao District 

 in Southern Mindanao of the Philippine Islands. Previous to this I 

 had spent a like period studying the Bukidnon, of the North-Central 

 part of the Island, and while thus engaged, had penetrated to within 

 about fifty miles of the Gulf of Davao. In order to trace migrations, 

 relationships, and trade routes, it was determined to continue the work 

 from the Gulf coast toward the interior. In pursuance of this plan I 

 went to Davao in July, nineteen hundred and ten. 



All information to be secured from publications, settlers, or natives 

 was to the effect that there were at least fourteen distinct tribes to be 

 met with in the Gulf region. The preliminary reconnaissance of the 

 field made it plain that the earlier classifications were greatly at fault. 

 Several divisions recognized as tribes were found to be only dialect 

 groups, while others differing in no essential respects from one another 

 secured names from the districts in which they resided. It was also 

 found that in recent years there had been a considerable movement of 

 the hill people toward the coast, and that in some places they had 

 penetrated and established themselves in the territory formerly held by 

 other tribes. 



The capture of slaves, intermarriage, and trade between the groups 

 have been powerful influences in obliterating tribal lines, thus adding 

 further confusion to the classification of the people. 



The field offered so much of interest that I determined to make 

 detailed studies of the various tribes encountered. The work pro- 

 gressed satisfactorily for seven months, when a severe illness caused me 

 to leave the tropics for a time, at least. As a result the work with the 

 Gulf tribes is still far from complete. The tribes living on or near the 

 upper waters of the Agusan river and north of Compostela were not 

 visited, and, hence, will not be mentioned here, 'while certain other 

 divisions received only scant attention. No attempt is here made 

 to treat of the Christianized or Mohammedanized people, who inhabit 

 a considerable part of the coast and the Samal Islands, further than to 

 indicate their influence on the wild tribes. Both have settled in Davao 

 District in historic times, and have taken many native converts into 

 their villages. From these settlements new ideas, types of garments, 

 and industries have spread toward the interior, while the extensive 

 slave trade carried on by the Moro has had a marked effect on all the 

 tribes with whom they have come in contact. 



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