354 The Tinguian 



When all is ready, a medium seats herself by the mat, dips oil 

 from a shallow dish with a small head-axe, and lets it drip onto the 

 ground ; then she does the same with basi, and finally strokes a rooster 

 which lies beside the jar, all the while reciting the proper dlam. 



Taking the spirit shield, which belongs in the dwelling, she puts 

 oil at each corner, and then touches the heads of all the family with 

 it. Beads and betel-leaf are added, and the shield is carried to the 

 house, where it is again fastened to the wall, as a testimony to all 

 passing spirits that the ceremony has been made, and food provided 

 for them. , 



The time has now arrived for the spirits to appear. Seating her- 

 self beside the mat, the medium strikes on a plate with her shells or a 

 piece of lead, and then starts her song. She rubs her hands together 

 with a revolving motion, swings her arms, and begins to tremble from 

 head to foot. Suddenly she is possessed by a spirit, and under his 

 direction holds oil to the nostrils of the host, and beats him with 

 a small whip of braided betel-leaf. This done, she drinks for the spirit, 

 and it departs. Again she sings, and again she is possessed. One spirit 

 takes the rooster, and with its wings cleans up the rubbish in the 

 balaua and in the yard, empties it in a tray, and orders it taken from 

 the village. In the same way all sickness and misfortune will be re- 

 moved from the settlement. 



Several spirits follow, and as the morning wears on, the medium 

 becomes more and more intense. The muscles of her neck and the 

 veins of her forehead stand out like cords, while perspiration streams 

 from her bod. Taking a shield and head-axe in her hand, she does a 

 sort of muscle dance, then goes to each member of the family, and 

 strikes the weapons together over their heads ; from them she goes 

 to the doors and windows, and strikes at them with the axe. Finally 

 she returns to the mat, balances a cup of basi on the weapon, and 

 causes the host to drink. Another attack on the doors follows, and 

 then in exhaustion she sinks beside the mat. After a short rest, she 

 dips beads in oil, and with them touches the heads of the family. The 

 musicians strike up a lively tattoo at this point, and again seizing 

 her weapons, the medium dances in front of the spirit shield. Going 

 to the rooster on the mat, she cuts off a part of its comb, and presses 

 the bloody fowl against the back or leg of each person in the room. 

 The spirit drinks and disappears. 



The next visitor dances with the host, and then wrestles with him, 

 but upon getting the worst of the match takes leave. As in the Tang- 

 pap, large number of minor beings call for a moment or two and 



