214 Traditions of the Tinguian 



23 



A flock of birds offer to cut rice for Llgl. He agrees, and goes 

 home with a headache. Birds use magic so that the rice cutters work 

 alone, and the tying bands tie themselves around the bundles. The 

 birds each take one grain of rice in payment. They use magic again 

 so that bundles of rice take themselves to the town. Ligl invites them 

 to a ceremony, and then follows them home. He sees them remove 

 their feathers and become one girl. They go back to the celebration, 

 where all chew betel-nut. Girl's quid goes to those of her parents, 

 from whom she had been stolen by the spirit Kaboniyan. The parents 

 of Llgl pay the usual marriage price for the girl. 



24 



When the husband of Dolimaman pricks an itching spot between 

 her third and fourth fingers, a baby boy pops out. Child who is called 

 Kanag grows each time he is bathed. While his wife is away the father 

 puts child on a raft and sets it afloat on the river. Child is rescued by 

 old woman Alokotan, who is making a pool in which sick and dead are 

 restored to health. Boy plays on nose flute which tells him about 

 his mother, but he does not understand. Plays on bunkaka with same 

 result. Mother who is searching her child passes by while he is playing. 

 Milk from her breasts goes to his mouth, and she recognizes him. They 

 stay with old woman despite pleading of husband. 



25 



Awig sends his daughter to watch the mountain rice. She stays in 

 a high watch house, but is found by tattooed Igorot, who cut her body 

 in two and take her head. Father goes to seek her murderers, but first 

 plants a lowed vine in the house; by its condition his wife is to know of 

 his safety or death. He climbs high tree and looks in all directions. 

 Sees Igorot, who are dancing around the head of his daughter. He takes 

 juice from the poison tree and goes to the dance, where he is mistaken 

 for a companion. He serves liquor to others and poisons them. Takes 

 daughter's head and starts home. Is followed by four enemies. Uses 

 magic and causes cogon field to burn, so foes are delayed. Repeats this 

 several times and finally escapes. He joins head and body of his daugh- 

 ter, and old woman Alokotan puts saliva on cuts and revives her. 

 Old woman places four sticks in the ground and they become a balaua. 

 Betel-nuts are sent out to invite guests and many come. When the 

 girl dances with her lover, the water comes up knee deep into the town 

 and they have to stop. She is engaged and her lover's parents fill the 



