Warfare, Hunting, and Fishing 373 



Mindanao; as well as in Borneo and the islands to the south. 1 That 

 it once had a strong hold on the Ilocano of the coast is made evident 

 by the mysterious cult known as axibrong, which at times terrifies 

 whole communities. In 1907 the region about Bangui, in Ilocos Norte, 

 was greatly excited over several attempts to kill people of that settle- 

 ment, and it was whispered that when a leading man, who had recently 

 died, was placed in his coffin, his right hand had suddenly raised 

 up with four fingers extended. This, it was said, was a demand on the 

 part of the dead for four companions, and the subsequent attacks 

 on the villagers were thought to be due to the activities of the bereaved 

 family in complying with the wishes of the deceased. 



The raids following a death were usually carried out as a village 

 affair, and many warriors participated, but it seems that by far the 

 greater number of heads were secured by individuals or couples, who 

 would lie in ambush near to the trails, or to the places, where the 

 women had to pass in carrying water from the streams to the village. 



While the Tinguian always chose to attack from ambush, yet he 

 did not hesitate to fight in the open when occasion demanded it. For 

 a distance of fifteen or twenty feet he depended on his spear, but for 

 close quarters he relied on his shield and head-axe. An examination 

 of Plate XLIV will show that the shield has three prongs at the top. 

 These the warrior seeks to slip between the legs of his enemy to trip 

 him up, then one stroke downward with the axe, and the opponent 

 is put out of the fight. The two lower prongs are meant to be slipped 

 about the neck. One more stroke of the head-axe, and the victor takes 

 his trophy and starts for home, while the relatives of the dead man 

 seek to secure the remains to carry them back to their village. As the 

 loss of a head reflects on the whole party, and in a like manner its 

 acquisition adds distinction to the victors, a hot fight usually develops 

 over a man who is stricken down, and only ceases when the enemy is 

 beaten off, or has been successful in getting away with the trophy. 



If a war party finds it necessary to make a night camp, or if they 

 are hard pressed by the foe, they plant long, thin strips of bamboo or 

 palma brava? in the grass. The ends of these are cut to sharp points, 

 and they are so cleverly concealed that pursuers must use great care, 



1 See Blair and Robertson, The Philippine Islands, Vols. V, p. 137 ; XXI, 

 p. 140; XXXIV, p. 377 ; XL, pp. 80-81 ; XLVII, p. 313; XLVIII, p. 57. Cole, 

 Distribution of the Non-Christian Tribes of Northwestern Luzon {Am. Anth., 

 N. S., Vol. XI, 1909, p. 340) ; Cole, The Wild Tribes of Davao District, Minda- 

 nao (pub. Field Museum of Natural History, Vol. XII No. 2, p. 114, et seq.). 



1 These are called soga. Their use is widespread in the Philippines, in 

 Malaysia generally, and even extends into upper Burma. See Shakespear, His- 

 tory of Upper Assam, Upper Burmah and Northeastern Frontier, pp. 186, 

 et scq. (London, 1914). Marsden, Hist, of Sumatra, p. 310 (London, 1811). 



