Part I. Mythological Concepts 



THE BAGOBO PJNT3EON 



The number of supernatural beings that figure in Bagobo mythology 

 and that form the main source of stimulation for ceremonial rites 

 must reach an extremely high count. At present we know but 

 few of these mythical personalities, even by name, and only a very 

 long and intimate acquaintance with the people, with their cere- 

 monies, and with their oral literature, would enable one to make 

 a satisfactory analysis of the polytheistic system. In reply to a 

 question touching this matter, any well-informed Bagobo will prob- 

 ably give the names of several gods, and remark that there are 

 "no more." Presumably, at the moment, there are no more present 

 in his consciousness. Yet, when the investigator has even limited 

 opportunities of assisting at Bagobo ceremonies; of listening to 

 mythical tales; of learning little songs; of joining in the spontaneous 

 talk of the young people, the mention of one and another divine 

 being, each in a natural setting, gives something like familiarity 

 with a few of the gods, and suggests that the larger number of 

 them still await discovery. 



What we do find is a number of divine personalities whose in- 

 dividual characteristics can often be identified with such associations 

 as would be made, perhaps non-reflectively, by the Bagobo in the 

 daily activities of work and combat and worship, or in connection 

 with those emotional responses that natural phenomena would draw 

 forth. We have here a people whose simple agricultural existence — 

 spent in the care of hemp and rice and corn, and in the enjoyment 

 of family relations that are remarkably pure and tender — is varied 

 by sacrificial acts of (to vis) relentless cruelty and of not infrequent 

 occurrence. We find, correspondingly, supernatural individuals who 



