212 Traditions of the Tinguian 



for him. The payment for the girl is valuable things sufficient to fill 

 balaua eighteen times, and other gifts in her new home. 



Kanag is lead by his hunting dog to a small house in the jungle. 

 Girl who lives there hides, but appears on second day. They chew 

 betel-nuts and tell their names. The quids turn to agate beads and lie 

 in order, showing them to be related and hence suitable for marriage. 

 They remain in forest two years and have children. Kanag uses 

 magical power and transfers their house to his home town during night. 

 Children see sugar cane which they wish to chew. Kanag goes to secure 

 it, and while away his mother visits his wife and abuses her. She 

 becomes ill and dies. Kanag tries to kill his mother, but fails. Puts 

 body of wife on a golden raft, places golden rooster on it and sets afloat 

 on the river. Rooster crows and proclaims ownership whenever raft 

 passes a village. Old woman Alokotan secures raft before it vanishes 

 into the hole where river ends. Revives the girl. Kanag and children 

 reach home of Alokotan, and girl is restored to them. They celebrate 

 balaua and send betel-nuts covered with gold to invite relatives. When 

 guests arrive, they chew betel-nut and learn that Kanag and his wife 

 are cousins. Kanag's parents pay marriage price, which is the balaua 

 filled nine times with jars. Girl's mother raises eyebrows and half of 

 jars vanish. Balaua is again filled. Guests dance and feast. Part 

 of marriage price given to guests. 



20 



Kanag's sweetheart desires the perfume of Baliwan and promises to 

 fulfill his desires if he secures it for her. Gives him arm beads from 

 left arm in token of her sincerity. 



Kanag and a companion set out on mission but are warned, first by 

 a jar and later by a frog, not to continue. They disregard the advice 

 and go on. They reach the tree on which perfume grows, and Kanag 

 climbs up and breaks off a branch. He turns into a great snake, and 

 his companion flees. Snake appears to Langa-ayan and proves its 

 identity by the arm beads around its neck. She takes it to a magic well, 

 the waters of which cause the snake skin to peel off, and the boy is 

 restored to his own form. Kanag marries Amau, and when they cele- 

 brate balaua he returns the bracelet to his former sweetheart. His 

 parents fill the balaua nine times with valuable articles, in payment for 

 his bride. 



