September, 1913- Wild Tribes of Davao District — Cole. 191 



disks, in the center of which a hole is cut. About this opening appear 

 beautiful intricate designs, some engraved, others stamped with metal 

 dies. 



All work in metal is limited to a few skilled men, but many lesser 

 industries, such as shaping tortoise shell rings and shell bracelets, 

 carving of spoons, and making baskets, are carried on by other members 

 of the tribe during their leisure hours. 



BIRTH 



In each district there are one or two midwives, known as managdmon. 

 They are women past middle life who are versed in the medicines and 

 rites which should be employed at the time of birth. They are not 

 considered as ballyan, yet they talk to the spirits upon certain occasions. 



When a pregnant woman is about to be delivered the midwife 

 crushes the bark of the dap-dap tree and makes a medicine called 



FIG. 53. 

 Silver Breast Ornaments. 



tagaumo, which she gives to the patient. It is claimed that this causes 

 the muscles to relax so that they allow an easy delivery. The umbilical 

 cord is cut with a bamboo knife and as soon as the child has been 

 bathed it is given to the mother. The afterbirth is placed in a specially 

 prepared basket and is either hung against the side of the house or in 

 a nearby tree. For a few days the midwife assists about the house and 

 then, if all is well with the child, she takes her payment of rice, chicken, 

 and fish, and returns to her home. Should the child be ailing she will 

 return, and having placed rice and betel-nut on banana leaves she 

 carries these to the top of the house and there offers them to the 

 1 Erythrina indica Lam. 



