Economic Life 399 



ing to the spirits;" while a piece of charcoal, placed in the notched 

 end, compels the new leaves to turn the dark green of sturdy plants. 

 The first seeds to be planted must always be sowed by the wife of the 

 owner, "so that they will be fertile and yield a good crop." 



When a field has been constructed, or when the terraces are ready 

 to receive the plants, a ceremony known as Dalau, 1 is held. The pur- 

 pose of this is to secure the good will of the spirits in general, but 

 more particularly to provide a dwelling place for the powerful being 

 Kaiba-an, who guards the crops. A medium, accompanied by the family 

 and any others who may be interested, goes to the field carrying a 

 large bamboo pole, bolor branches, stalks of /oho 3 bakoh, and saklak.* 

 The end of the bamboo is split open, and a saloko 6 is constructed to 

 which are attached the other leaves and stalks. The saloko is then 

 placed on the dividing ridge of the field, and all is ready for the cere- 

 mony, unless it is considered wise to also construct a small house 

 (baubatnvl) . If the field is near the village, the latter is generally dis- 

 pensed with, but if it is distant, the house is erected so that the spirit 

 will accept it as its dwelling, while it is guarding the crop. It is further 

 explained that the spirit then stays in the small house or saloko in- 

 stead of in the rice stalks, and so they are able to grow. 



A female pig is presented to the medium who, after reciting a 

 proper diam above it, stabs the animal and collects its blood. This is 

 mixed with rice, and a part is at once deposited in the saloko, while the 

 balance is- placed on a head-axe, and is carried about the field. When the 

 whole plot has been traversed, this rice and blood is scattered in all 

 directions, while the spirits are besought to come and eat. A part of the 

 company has meanwhile been cooking the flesh of the slain animal, 

 but before any of it is served, a skirt (kinomayan) is spread at the 

 foot of the saloko, an,d on it are placed dishes of oil and of cooked rice. 



After the meal has been eaten, the family gathers up the skirt and 

 dishes, to return them to the village, but the other offerings remain. 



Rain, like all other things needed, is sent by Kadaklan or Kaboni- 

 yan. If it does not come as desired, or if the crop is not progressing 



1 Also known as Singa and Baubauwi. In Likuan it is held only in case the 

 crops are not growing as they should ; but in Sisikan, Patikian, and other towns 

 of the Saltan River valley it is celebrated both before the planting and after the 

 harvesting. 



' A slender cane similar to bamboo, but nearly white in color. 



' runo, a reed. 



4 Justicia gendarnssa L. 



'Also called salokang. See p. 310. 



