362 The Tinguian 



Children must care for and support infirm parents. Should there 

 be no children, this duty falls upon the nearest relative. 



Inheritance. — Although a price is paid for the bride, the Tinguian 

 woman is in no sense a slave. She may inherit property from her 

 parents, hold it through life, and pass it on to her children. 



Following the death of a man, enough is taken from his estate 

 to pay up any part of the marriage agreement which may still be 

 due, and the balance is divided among his children. If there are no 

 children, it is probable that his personal possessions will go to his 

 father or mother, if they are still living; otherwise, to his brothers 

 and sisters. However, the old men in council may decide that the 

 wife is entitled to a share. Should she remarry and bear children to 

 her second husband, she cannot give any part of this property to them, 

 but upon her death it goes to the offspring of the first marriage, or 

 reverts to the relatives. Land is divided about equally between boys 

 and girls, but the boys receive the major part of the animals, and the 

 girls their mother's beads. Oftentimes the old men will give the 

 oldest child the largest share, "since he has helped his parents longest." 



Whatever the husband and wife have accumulated in common 

 during their married life is divided, and the man's portion is disposed 

 of, as just indicated. Illegitimate children and those of a pota receive 

 a share of their father's property, but not in the same proportion as 

 the children of the wife. No part of the estate goes to a concubine 

 unless, in the judgment of the old men, it is necessary to provide for 

 her, because of sickness or infirmity. 



Transfer and sharing of property. — Land and houses are seldom 

 transferred, except at the death of the owner, but should a sale or 

 trade be desired, the parties to the contract will make the bargain be- 

 fore the lakay and old men, who thus become witnesses. A feast is 

 given at such a time, and is paid for by either the seller or the buyer. 

 The sale or barter of carabao, horses, valuable jars, and beads may be 

 witnessed in this manner, but the transfer of personal property is 

 purely a matter between the parties concerned. 



If a man works the property of another, he furnishes the seed 

 and labor, and the crop is divided. If an owner places his animals 

 in the care of another, the first of the increase goes to him, the second 

 to the caretaker. Should an animal die, the caretaker must skin it, and 

 give the hide to the owner, after which he is freed from responsibility, 

 but he is liable for the loss, theft, or injury to his charges. 



Murder and Theft. — The relatives of a murdered man may kill 

 his assailant without fear of punishment, but, if they are willing, the 



