270 The Tinguian 



had the spirit succeeded in shooting it, the babe would have died ; 

 later, it impersonated the child of the spirit, and when that being saw 

 its own offspring in danger, it immediately departed from the village. 

 Several other spirits then entered the body of the medium, and after 

 receiving food and drink, gave friendly advice. 



When the child is about two years old, a ceremony known as 

 Olog 1 is held. The mediums who are summoned prepare a spirit 

 mat, 2 and at once begin to recite diams over the body of a bound pig. 

 As soon as the animal is killed, its heart is removed, and is rubbed 

 against the breast of each member of the family. The medium then 

 resumes her place at the mat, and soon is possessed by a spirit who 

 takes charge of the proceedings. At his suggestion, the child is rubbed 

 from head to foot with the thread from the medium's outfit, "so that 

 it will not cry any more;" next, he orders that the intestines of the 

 pig be cleaned, placed on a wooden dish, and be carried to the gate of 

 the town. When they arrive at the designated spot, the mediums make 

 a "stove" by driving three sticks into the ground, so as to outline a 

 triangle, and within these they burn a bundle of rice-straw. Beside 

 the "stove" is placed a branch, each leaf of which is pierced with a 

 chicken feather. This completed, the child is brought up to the fire, 

 and is crowned with the intestines ; while one of the mediums strikes 

 the ground vigorously with a split stick, 3 to attract the attention of 

 the spirits. Next, she secures a rooster, and with this in one hand and 

 a spear in the other, she marches five times around the fire meanwhile 

 reciting a diam. At the conclusion of this performance the fowl is 

 killed ; and its blood, mixed with rice, is scattered on the ground. At 

 the same time the medium calls to all the spirits to come and eat, to 

 be satisfied, and not cause the child to become ill. The flesh and rice 

 cakes are likewise offered, but after a few moments have elapsed, they 

 are eaten by all the people. 



At the conclusion of the meal, a wreath of vines is substituted for 

 the intestines, which are hung beside the fire. This concludes the 

 ceremony ; but, as the mother and child reach the ladder of their home, 

 the people above sprinkle them with water, meanwhile calling out eight 

 times, "You are in a heavy storm." The significance of this sprinkling 

 is not known, but the custom is widespread, and is evidently very 

 ancient. 



1 In Likuan this takes place five days after the birth ; in Sallapadan it 

 occurs on the first or second day. 



2 On the mat are placed, in addition to the medium's regular outfit, a small 

 jar of basi, five pieces of betel-nut and pepper-leaf, two bundles of rice (palay) 

 in a winnower, a head-axe, and a spear. 



'This is a dakidak (cf. p. 311). 



