268 The Tinguian 



On the 29th day the fire is extinguished, and the bamboo frame 

 is fastened under the floor of the house, below the mother's mat, "so 

 that all can see that the family has followed the custom." As the 

 frame is carried out, the mother calls to the anito mother (cf. p. 261) 

 to throw out her fire. 



In the mountain districts about Lakub, a ceremony in which the 

 spirits are besought to look to the child's welfare is held about the 

 third day after the birth. The mediums summon several spirits; a 

 chicken or a pig is killed, and its blood mixed with rice is offered up. 

 At the conclusion a small saloko 1 containing an egg is attached to one 

 end of the roof. In Ba-ak this is generally a three to six day event 

 attended by all the friends and relatives of the family. Here, in place 

 of the egg, a jar containing pine-sticks is attached to the roof, for the 

 pine which burns brightly makes it plain to the spirits what the people 

 are doing. 



In the light of the extended and rather complex procedure just 

 related, it is interesting to note that the Tinguian woman is one of 

 those mythical beings whom careless or uninformed writers have been 

 wont to describe as giving birth to her children without bodily discom- 

 fort. Reyes 2 tells us that she cuts the umbilical cord, after which she 

 proceeds to the nearest brook, and washes the clothing soiled during 

 the birth. Lerena likewise credits her with delivering herself without 

 aid, at whatever spot she may then chance to be ; then, without further 

 ado or inconvenience, she continues her duties as before. If she 

 happens to be near to a river, she bathes the child; or, if water is 

 not handy, she cleans it with grass or leaves, and then gives it such 

 a name as stone, rooster, or carabao. 3 



Throughout the greater part of the Tinguian territory, nothing 

 further of importance takes place for about two years, providing the 

 child progresses normally, but should it be ailing, a medium will be 

 summoned to conduct the Ibal ceremony. 4 For this a pig or rooster is 

 prepared for sacrifice, but before it is killed, the medium squats before 

 it and, stroking its side with oiled fingers, she chants the following 

 dlam. v 



1 Also called salokang (cf. p. 310). 



2 Filipinas articulos varios, p. 144. 



3 F. de Lerena, Illustration Filipino, No. 22, p. 254 (Manila, Nov. 15, i860). 

 An equally interesting account of Tinguian procedure at the time of birth will 

 be found in the account of Polo de Lara, Islas Filipinas, tipos y costumbres, 

 pp. 213, et seq. 



* In San Juan, Ibal is always held in six months, unless illness has caused 

 an earlier celebration. At this time the liver of a pig is carefully examined, 

 in order to learn of the child's future. 



