406 The Tinguian 



to a foot. This transfer generally takes place near the beginning of 

 the dry season, so that the crop will be sure to mature without the 

 damaging effect of water on the leaves. The plants while lusty do not 

 attain the size of those grown in the valley regions of the interior. 

 As soon as the leaves begin to turn a dark yellow, they are cut off 

 and are strung on slender bamboo sticks (Plate LX), which are then 

 hung up in the house. When nearly dry, they are laid in piles, and are 

 occasionally turned to prevent rust or mildew from forming. 



A small amount of indigo, tayum {Indigo f era tinctoria) is raised, 

 generally in open spots near the villages. The plants receive little or 

 no attention, yet still attain a height of about three feet. The leaves 

 and branches are placed in water for a few days, and are then boiled, 

 together with a little lime, the resultant liquor being used as a dye for 

 cotton thread. 



No product receives more attention in the lore of the Tinguian 

 than the climbing vine known as lawed {Piper sp.). 1 It was formerly 

 in universal use in connection with the chewing of betel-nut. To-day 

 betel-nut is less common in this region, but this leaf and the areca-nut 

 still play an important part in all ceremonies. According to tradition, 

 it was possible in the old times to tell the fate of an absent friend by 

 noting the condition of a lawed vine planted by him prior to his de- 

 parture. 2 The vine is now trained on poles and trellises, near to many 

 houses. 



Among the larger cultivated plants and trees, the banana {Musa 

 paradisiaca) , coconut {Cocos nucifera), and bamboo {Bambusa sp.) 

 are the most important. 



At least twenty varieties of bananas are raised in Abra. The fruit 

 of some of these is scarcely larger than the forefinger, while others 

 are quite large. The "common type bears a rather small, yellow fruit 

 locally known as saba. In Manabo and several other villages, plantings 

 covering three or four acres are to be found, but the usual plot is 

 small, and is situated near to the house of the owner. 



Suckers, which sprout from the roots of mature plants, are set 

 out as needed, either to make new groves or to replace the old stalks, 

 which are cut down after bearing. Both bud and fruit are eaten. The 

 latter are cut on the stem while still green, and are hung in the house 

 to ripen, in order to protect them from bats and fruit- feeding birds. 



The coconut {nlog) is not raised in groves, as in the Christianized 



1 A less esteemed species is known as Mowed ta aso ("dog lawed"). 

 1 See Traditions of the Tinguian, this volume, No. I, p. ioo. 



