262 The Tinguian 



prominent place in the tribal mythology. 1 In the tales we are told that 

 a frog became pregnant, and gave birth to a child after having lapped 

 up the spittle of Aponitolau, 2 a maid conceived when the head-band of 

 her lover rested on her skirt, 3 while the customary delivery of 

 children during the mythical period seems to have been from between 

 the fingers of the expectant mother. 4 Anitos and, in a few cases, the 

 shades of the dead have had intercourse with Tinguian women, 5 but 

 children of such unions are always born prematurely. As a rule, a 

 miscarriage is thought to be the result of union with the inhabitants of 

 the spirit realm, though an expectant woman is often warned not to 

 become angry or sorrowful lest her "blood become strong and the 

 child be born." Abortion is said to be practised occasionally by 

 unmarried women ; but such instances are exceedingly rare, as off- 

 spring is much desired, and the chance of making a satisfactory match 

 would be in no way injured by the possession of an illegitimate child. 8 



Except for the district about Manabo, it is not customary to make 

 any offerings or to cause any changes in the daily life of the pregnant 

 woman until the time of her delivery is near at hand. In Manabo 

 a family gathering is held about a month before the anticipated event, 

 at which time the woman eats a small chicken, while her relatives 

 look on. After completing this meal, she places two bundles of grass, 

 some bark and beads in a small basket and ties it beside the window. 

 The significance of the act is not clear to the people, but it is "an old 

 custom, and is pleasing to the spirits." 



Shortly before the child is expected, two or three mediums are 

 summoned to the dwelling. Spreading a mat in the center of the 

 room, they place on it their outfits (cf. p. 302) and gifts 7 for all the 

 spirits who are apt to attend the ceremony. Nine small jars covered 

 with alin leaves are distributed about the house and yard ; one sits on 



1 See Traditions of the Tinguian, this volume, No. 1, pp. 124, 185. 



2 See op. cit., p. 105. 



3 See op. cit., pp. 144, et seq. 



* See op. cit., p. 18. 



5 See Traditions of the Tinguian, this volume, No. 1, p. 180. 



* To produce a miscarriage, a secret liquor is made from the bark of a 

 tree. After several drinks of the brew, the abdomen is kneaded and pushed 

 downward until the foetus is discharged. A canvass of forty women past the 

 child-bearing age showed an average, to each, of five children, about 40 per cent 

 of whom died in infancy. Apparently about the same ratio of births is being 

 maintained at present. 



'The gifts vary according to the ceremony. For this event, the offerings 

 consist of a Chinese jar with earrings fastened into the handles — "ears" — , a 

 necklace of beads and a silver wire about its neck; a wooden spoon, a weaving 

 stick, and some bone beads. 



