378 The Tinguian 



for hunting and fighting, and are intended both as thrusting and 

 throwing weapons. In the lowlands the older type of spear-head is 

 a modified leaf shape, attached to a ferrule which slips over the 

 shaft. In the mountains, heads with two or more barbs are set into 

 the handles, and are held in place by means of wooden wedges and 

 by metal rings which surround the ends of the shafts. A metal end 

 or shoe covers the butt end of the weapon, thus converting it into 

 an excellent staff for mountain climbing. 



Occasionally a hunting spear is fitted with a detachable head, which 

 will pull out of the socket when an animal is struck. The shaft is 

 attached to the point by means of a heavy line, and as this drags 

 through the undergrowth, it becomes entangled and thus delays the 

 flight of the game. 



Shields, kalasag. — Mention has already been made of the typical 

 Tinguian-Kalinga shield (cf. p. 373). While this is the common type of 

 the region (Fig. 10, Nos. i-ia), others, which approach those of 

 the Bontoc Igorot, are frequently used (Fig. 10, No. 2). As a rule, 

 these come from Balatok, Lubuagan, Guinaan and the villages along 

 the Malokbot river, all of which are strongly influenced in blood and 

 culture by the Igorot. In the latter shields we find the prongs at the 

 top and bottom, but they are no longer of sufficient size and opening 

 to be of practical value. The clue to their origin is probably afforded 

 us in their use by the Tinguian. 



Across the top and bottom of each shield, near to the prongs, are 

 two or three braided bands which appear to be ornamental, or to 

 strengthen the weapon. Their real use, however, is to hold the soga, 

 the pointed bamboo sticks which are planted in the grass to delay 

 pursuers. A half dozen or more of these are usually to be found under 

 the braiding at the back of the shield. 



All shields are of very light wood, and can easily be pierced by a 

 spear. They are intended to be used in deflecting missels rather than 

 actually to stop them. To aid in this purpose, there is a hand grip cut 

 into the center of the back. This is large enough to admit the first three 

 fingers, while the thumb and little finger are left outside to tilt the 

 shield to the proper angle. 



Hunting (Plates XLV-XLVI). — Hunting must be considered 

 more in the nature of a sport than as a necessity, for, while a con- 

 siderable amount of game is taken each year, it is not enough to fur- 

 nish an important part of the food supply. As we have already noted, 

 a great part of the country occupied by this tribe is devoid of forests. 

 Dense growths do occur in some valleys and ravines, and a few of 



