September, i 9 i 3 . Wild Tribes ok Davao District — Cole. 115 



very great importance, they may wait until the yearly sacrifice 1 when 

 they can purchase a share in it. The one other occasion for which this 

 offering is obligatory is the installation of a new datu in office. For the 

 yearly event the ruler should provide a decrepit slave, and then invite 

 all those who have had death or trouble in the family and who wish a 

 part in the sacrifice to help bear the expense of the ceremony. Guests 

 gather from near and far and for two or three days, feast, dance, and 

 make merry in the house of the datu. On the morning of the last day 

 they accompany their leader to a great tree in the forest and there 

 witness or take part in the sacrifice. The victim is tied with his back 

 to the tree, his arms stretched high above his head. Meanwhile a 

 little table or altar is constructed near by, and on it the principals 

 place their offerings of betel nut, clothes, or weapons, and on top of all 

 is a dish of white food for Eugpamolak Manobo. When all is ready 

 one of the magam begins a prayer, begging the spirits to look and see 

 that the people are following the old custom, to give them success in 

 battle, and to protect their homes from sickness and enemies. The 

 prayer being completed, the datu places his spear below and just in 

 front of the right armpit; then all those who have purchased a share in 

 the victim take hold of the weapon, and at a signal given by the datu, 

 thrust it through the body. As soon as it is withdrawn, the magam 

 who has offered the greatest price for the privilege attempts to cut 

 the body in two with one blow of his fighting knife. If he fails in the 

 attempt, another tries, and so on until someone succeeds. The two 

 portions are then released from the tree and cast into a shallow grave 

 near by. Before the body is covered with earth any person who wishes 

 may cut off a portion of the flesh or hair and carry it to the grave of 

 some relative whom he may have reason to believe is being troubled 

 by evil spirits. In such a case the evil spirit will be content to eat of the 

 slave, and cease disturbing the other body. Returning to the house 

 of the datu, the people continue the dancing and merry-making through- 

 out another night. 



The following accounts are extracts from the official correspondence 

 forwarded by the Governor of Davao to the Governor of the A'loro 

 Province : 



"I have the honor to submit herewith a full report of an investigation 

 made by myself and the Senior Inspector of Constabulary of Davao, 

 regarding a human sacrifice made by the Bagobos at Talun near Digos 

 on Dec. 9th, 1907. 



1 We have already seen that this offering sometimes occurs during the GtnEi 

 ceremony. 



