306 The Tinguian 



garments. A fly is named after a person, and is placed in a bamboo 

 tube. This is set near the fire, and in a short time the victim of the 

 plot is seized with fever. Likewise magical chants and dances, car- 

 ried on beneath a house, may bring death to all the people of the 

 dwelling. 



A combination of true poisoning and magical practice is also 

 found. To cause consumption or some wasting disease, a snake is 

 killed, and its, head cut off; then the body is hung up, and the liquor 

 coming from the decomposing flesh is caught in a shell cup. This 

 fluid is introduced into the victim's- food, or some of his belongings 

 are treated with it. If the subject dies, his relatives may get revenge 

 on the poisoner. This is accomplished by taking out the heart of a 

 pig and inserting it in the mouth or stomach of the victim. This must 

 be done under the cover of darkness, and the corpse be buried at once. 

 A high bamboo fence is then built around the grave, so that no one 

 can reach it. The person responsible for the death will fall ill at once, 

 and will die unless he is able to secure one of the victim's garments 

 or dirt from the grave. 



The actual introduction of poison in food and drink is thought 

 to be very common. The writer attended one ceremony following 

 which a large number of the guests fell sick. The illness was ascribed 

 to magic poisoning, yet it was evident that the cause was over-in- 

 dulgence in fresh pork by people, who for months had eaten little 

 if any meat. 



Omens. — The ability to foretell future events by the flight or 

 calls of birds, actions of animals, by the condition of the liver and 

 gall of sacrificed pigs, or by the movements of certain articles under 

 the questioning of a medium, is an undoubted fact in this society. 



A small bird known as labEg, is the messenger of the spirits, who 

 control the Bakid and Sangdsang ceremonies. When this bird enters 

 the house, it is caught at once, its feathers are oiled ; beads are at- 

 tached to its feet, and it is released with the promise that the cer- 

 emony will be celebrated at once. This bird accompanies the war- 

 riors, and warns or encourages them with its calls. If it flies across 

 their path from right to left, all is well; but if it comes from the left, 

 they must return home, or trouble will befall the party. 



The spirits of Sangdsang make use of other birds and animals to 

 warn the builders of a house, if the location selected does not please 

 them. All the Tinguian know that the arrival of snakes, big lizards, 

 deer, or wild hogs at the site of a new house is a bad sign. 



If a party or an individual is starting on a journey, and the king- 



