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



piece of land, preparatory to the planting. They had labored about 

 two hours when the call of the limokon was heard to the left of the 

 owner. Without hesitation the men gathered up their tools and left 

 the plot, explaining that it was useless for them to plant there for the 

 limokon had warned them that rats would eat any crop they might try 

 to grow in that spot. 



The people do not make offerings to this bird, neither do they regard 

 it as a spirit, but rather as a messenger from the spirit world. The old 

 men were certain that anyone who molested one of these birds would 

 die. 



Another bird known as wak-wak "which looks like a crow but is 

 larger and only calls at night" foretells ill-fortune. Sneezing is also 

 a bad omen, particularly if it occurs at the beginning of an undertaking. 

 Certain words, accompanied by small offerings, may be sufficient to 

 overcome the dangers foretold by these warnings. It is also possible 

 to thwart the designs of ill-disposed spirits or human enemies by wearing 

 a sash or charm which contains bits of fungus growth, peculiarly shaped 

 stones, or the root of a plant called gam. These charms not only ward 

 off ill-fortune and sickness, but give positive aid in battle and keep the 

 dogs on the trail of the game. 1 



There is in each community one or more persons, generally women, 

 who are known as holly an. These piiestesses, or mediums, are versed 

 in all the ceremonies and dances which the ancestors have found effectual 

 in overcoming evil influences, and in retaining the favor of the spirits. 

 They, better than all others, understand the omens, and often through 

 them the higher beings make known their desires. So far as could 

 be learned the ballyan is not at any time possessed, but when in a trance 

 sees and converses with the most powerful spirits as well as with the 

 shades of the departed. This power to communicate with super- 

 natural beings and to control the forces of nature, is not voluntarily 

 sought by the future ballyan, but comes to the candidate either through 

 one already occupying such a position or by her being unexpectedly 

 seized with a fainting or trembling fit, in which condition she finds 

 that she is able to communicate with the inhabitants of the spirit 

 world. Having been thus chosen she at once becomes the pupil of 

 some experienced ballyan from whom she learns all the secrets of the 

 profession and the details of ceremonies to be made. 



At the time of planting or reaping, at a birth or death, when a 

 great celebration is held, or when the spirits are to be invoked for the 



1 The use of these magic sashes, known as anling-anting. is widespread throughout 

 the southern Philippines both with the pagan and Mohammedan tribes. 



