September, 1913. Wild Tribes ov Davao District — Cole. 63 



and they also direct the offerings associated with planting and harvesting. 

 They are generally the ones who erect the little shrines seen along the 

 trails or in the forests, and it is they who put offerings in the "spirit 

 boxes" in the houses. Although they, better than all others, know 

 how to read the signs and warnings sent by the spirits, yet, all of the 

 people know the meaning of certain omens sent through the medium 

 of birds and the like. The call of the limokon 1 is recognized as an 

 encouragement or a warning and its message will be heeded without 

 fail. In brief, every natural phenomenon and every living thing is 

 caused by or is subject to the will of unseen beings, who in turn can be 

 inilnenced by the acts of individuals. As a result everything of im- 

 portance is undertaken with reference to these superior powers. 



DWELLING S^HOUSEHOLD UTENSILS. 



The houses found in the coast villages line well marked streets and 

 differ in few respects from those built by the Christianized natives 

 throughout the Islands. Even in the more isolated districts the effect 

 of this outside influence is marked. However, we can state with 

 confidence that village life is a new idea to the Bagobo. He has, from 

 time immemorial, built his home near to his fields, and there he and his 

 family reside, except during festivals or when extreme danger threatens. 

 At such times all go to the house of the local ruler and there unite in 

 the festivities or the common defense. 



The smaller dwellings have but one room, the floor of which is raised 

 several feet above the ground and supported by many piles. A part of 

 the latter extend five of six feet above the floor and form supports for the 

 side and cross-beams. From the center of the room lighter poles project 

 eight or ten feet above the cross-beams and form the main supports 

 for the ridge timber. From beams at the end and sides of the room 

 similar pieces run to this central ridge; below this they are joined 

 together, at intervals, by means of horizontal poles and cross-beams. 

 To this framework are lashed strips of palina brava, supports for a 

 covering of closely laid runo, on which rests the final topping of 

 flattened bamboo. The ridge pole is always at a sufficient height above 

 the floor to give the roof a steep peak, and is of such length that, at the 

 top, the side roof overhangs the ends. The roof generally rises in two 

 pitches and always extends past the sides of the room. 



In house building, the roof, which is made first, is raised to the 

 desired height, thus serving as a shelter for the workers until the struc- 



1 A dove (Calcophops indica). Similar beliefs held by the Tagalog were men- 

 tioned by Juan dc Plaseneici in 15S9. See Blair and Robertson, Vol. VII, p. 189. 



