86 Field Museum of Natural History — Anth., Vol. XII. 



no woman may so much as touch this offering. Meanwhile other food 

 which can be eaten by all has been prepared. After the meal 

 the weapons and tools which are to be used during the clearing time 

 are removed, but, as they now belong to the spirit, they can never be 

 disposed of without first recompensing him. During this day there is 

 a strict prohibition against music and dancing. For three days the 

 men abstain from work and the forge stands idle. When the fire is 

 again lighted the first knife made is the property of the spirit. 



With the ending of the period of taboo the workers go to the fields 

 and, in the center of each, place a tambara 1 fitted with a white dish 

 containing betel nut. This is an offering to Eugpamolak Manobo, 

 who is besought to drive from the field any tigbanawa or tagamaling' 

 who may live there, to keep the workers in good health, to allow an 

 abundant crop, and, finally, to make the owner rich and happy. Tie 

 weeds, brush, and trees, after being cut and allowed to dry are fired, 

 while the logs remaining after this initial burning are piled together 

 and again set on fire, and the field is ready for the planting. No soil 

 is broken and not a seed goes into the ground until the spirits again 

 designate the time, by placing the constellation Marara in the sky. 

 This appears early in April, and is followed by a period of great activity 

 in the fields. If, for any reason, the owner of the land cannot plant 

 at this time, he has two or more opportunities given him when the 

 constellations Mamari and Bwaya appear, the latter toward the end 

 of June. 



When the workers go to the field on the day set for the planting they 

 enter at one corner and proceed directly across it to the far left hand 

 corner where they erect a small house or place a tambara which is known 

 as pEmEg'ge. As soon as it is complete, the maballan begin to call 

 on the spirits. Manama 3 is called first and after him other spirits, 

 according to their rank and power. They are informed that the 

 planting is about to begin and that the people are showing them this 

 mark of respect so that they will not allow anything to interfere with 

 the crop. This done, they go to the center of the field and place a 

 second tambara, called parobaman, for the spirit Taragomi, who owns 

 all food. Leaves pleasing to him and presents of food or bracelets are 

 placed in it, as well as in his tambara found in the house. The owner 

 of the field takes the malayag, a large variety of rice, and plants it 



1 See p. 66, Fig. 12. 



2 Evil spirits which are classed with the buso. See p. 107. 



3 Eugpamolak Manobo. 



4 At Cibolan only brass objects are placed in this tambara. 



