364 The Tinguian 



oftentimes windows opening on to it, so that one has the feeling that 

 we have here two houses joined by the covered porch. In such build- 

 ings this entry way is a convenient place for hanging nets or for 

 drying tobacco. 



In one room is the hearth, the water pots, and dishes, while the 

 other is the family sleeping-room. 



The construction of the dwelling is shown in Plates XL-XLI. A 

 number of heavy hard-wood posts are sunk deeply into the ground and 

 project upward 10 or more feet. At a height of 4 or 5 feet above the 

 ground, crossbeams are lashed or pegged to form the floor supports, 

 while at the tops are other beams on which the roof rests. Plate XL 

 shows the skeleton of this roof so plainly that further description is 

 unnecessary. This framework, generally constructed on the ground, 

 is raised on to the upright timbers, and is lashed in place. A closely 

 woven mat of bamboo strips, or of bamboo beaten flat, covers each 

 side of the roof, and on this the thatch is laid. Bundles of cogon grass 

 are spread clear across the roof, a strip of bamboo is laid at the upper 

 ends, and is lashed to the mat below. A second row of thatch overlaps 

 the top of the first, and thus a waterproof covering is provided. 



Another type of roofing is made by splitting long bamboo poles, 

 removing the sectional divisions and then lashing them to the frame- 

 work. The first set is placed with the concave sides up, and runs from 

 the ridge pole to a point a few inches below the framework, so as to 

 overhang it somewhat. A second series of halved bamboos is laid 

 convex side up, the edges resting in the concavity of those below, thus 

 making an arrangement similar to a tiled roof. 



For the side walls this tiled type of construction is commonly used 

 (Plate LXXVIII). A coarse bamboo mat is likewise employed, while 

 a crude interweaving of bamboo strips is by no means uncommon. 

 Such a wall affords little protection against a driving rain or wind, 

 but the others are quite effective. Well-to-do families often have the 

 side walls and floors of their houses made of hard-wood boards. Since 

 planks are, or have been until recently, cut out with knives, head-axes, 

 or adzes, much time and wealth is consumed in constructing such a 

 dwelling. When completed, it is less well adapted to the needs of the 

 people than the structures just described, but its possession is a source 

 of gratification to the owner, and aids in establishing him as a man of 

 affairs in his town. 



The floor is made of poles tied to the side-beams, and on these 

 strips of bamboo are laid so as to leave small cracks between them. 

 This assists in the house-cleaning, as all dirt and refuse is swept 



