vSeptember, 1913. Wild Tribes of Davao District — Cole. 131 



The greater part of this tribe live far back in the rugged mountains 

 which form the watershed between the Cotabato valley and the Gulf of 

 Davao. Travel through that district is entirely on foot, and is prin- 

 cipally along the water courses, so that in going from place to place a 

 person is continually crossing the stream. From time to time dim trails, 

 scarcely worthy of that name, lead from the river's bank almost per- 

 pendicularly up the mountain-side or to the summits of high hills, where 

 will be found one or two frail houses (Plate XLIX). The dwellings 

 are never in large groups, and more frequently each house is by itself. 

 From one habitation it is possible to look across the hills and see many 

 others at no great distance, to reach which would necessitate a descent 

 of several hundred feet and an equal climb up to each. 



There is considerable variation in the architecture of the dwellings 

 but the following description of the home of Datu Dialum, on the head- 

 waters of the Ma-al river, will give the general plan of all. 



Small hardwood poles about twenty feet in length formed the up- 

 rights to which the side and crossbeams were lashed, while in the center 

 of each end beam smaller sticks were tied to form the king posts. From 

 the ridge pole small timbers extended to the side beams, thus forming 

 the framework on which the final topping of flattened bamboo was laid. 

 This roof was of one pitch and at the sides overhung the walls by about 

 a foot. Twelve feet above the ground other poles were lashed to the 

 uprights and on these rested the cross timbers of the floor, which in 

 turn were covered with broad strips of bark. The side walls extended 

 between the floor and the beams, but in no place did they extend up to 

 the roof. Entrance to the dwelling was gained by a notched log. 



Once inside the house the arrangement 

 impressed one as being similar to those of 

 the Eagobo. Justabove the door, and again 

 in the far end of the room, poles were laid 

 across the beams to form the floors of lofts 

 which, in this case, were used as sleeping 

 rooms. 



In front of the door, at the opposite side 

 of the room, was a bed of ashes in which' 

 three stones were sunk to form the stove, 

 and above this was suspended a rack which 

 contained cooking pots, drying wood, ears of 

 corn, and the like. Close to the stove were 

 a few earthen pots (Fig. 35) and many short 

 bamboo tubes filled with water, while against. 



FIG. 35. 

 Cooking Pot and Cover. 



