Introduction 13 



use in the offerings and for food, and da-eng 1 is danced (p. 40). After 

 the Libon 2 invitations are sent out, by means of betel-nuts covered with 

 gold, to those whose presence is especially desired (p. 62). When the 

 guests arrive at the village spring or gate they are offered food or drink, 

 and then while they dance they are sprinkled with water or rice, after 

 which all go up to the town (p. 41 note 2). A medium who knows the 

 customs and desires of the spirits constructs a bamboo mat, which is 

 known as talapitap, and on it offers food. To call their attention she 

 frequently strikes the ground with the dakldak — split sticks of bamboo 

 and lono 3 (p. 40). The guests are not neglected, so far as regards food, 

 for feasting and dancing occupy a considerable portion of their time. 

 The ceremonial dance da-eng ■ is mentioned, but the tadek 4 seems to be 

 the one in special favor (pp. 41, 59). 



One tale tells us that the Sayang was held immediately following a 

 head hunt; and another, that Aponltolau went out to get the head of an 

 old man before he started this ceremony (pp. 69, 76); however, the 

 evidence is by no means conclusive that it is related to warfare. 



On page 105 we are told that Kanag's half sister is a medium, and the 

 description of her method of summoning the spirits tallies with that of 

 to-day. At the Sayang ceremony she is called to perform the Dawak,* 

 with the assistance of the old woman Alokotan (p. 106). The Dawak is 

 also held in order to stop the flow of blood from Aponltolau's finger 

 (p. 113). The only other ceremony mentioned is that made in order to 

 find a lost switch (p. 91). 



Certain well-known customs are strongly brought out in our material. 

 The first, and apparently most important, is the necessity of offering 

 liquor and food, both to strangers and to guests (p. 58). Refusal is so 

 keenly resented that in one instance a couple decline to allow their daugh- 

 ter to marry a man whose emissaries reject this gift (p. 73). Old 

 quarrels are closed by the tender of food or drink, and friendships are 

 cemented by the drinking of basi* (p. 134). People meeting for the 

 first time, and even friends who have been separated for a while, chew 

 betel-nut together and tell their names and places of residence. We are 

 repeatedly told that it is necessary to chew the nut and make known their 



1 A sacred dance in which a number of men and women take part. It takes 

 place only at night and is accompanied by the singing of the participants. 

 1 The night preceding the greatest day of the Sayang ceremony. 



* Runo, a reed. 



4 See p. II, note 3. 



* A short ceremony held for the cure of fever and minor ills. It also forms a 

 part of the more extensive rites. 



* A sugar-cane rum. 



