Part II. The Formal Ceremonial 



TYPICAL CEREMONIAL BEHAVIOR 



In the conduct of the more formal religious functions of the 

 Bagobo, there appear a number of constant elements, which may 

 be termed normal ceremonial reactions. Peculiar factors will 

 necessarily combine to make up the ritual complex on occasions so 

 distinct as that of a harvest festival, on the one hand, and of a 

 human sacrifice on the other ; furthermore, a wide range of variation 

 in the manner of performing the same identical ceremony is to be 

 found in different Bagobo groups. Nevertheless, there are every- 

 where to be seen certain distinct modes of response which charac- 

 terize so regularly the more important of the rites that it is proper 

 to group such responses under the head of typical ceremonial behavior. 



General Character of Ceremonial 



The orthodox time for the performance of a ceremony is deter- 

 mined by observation of the heavenly bodies. Festivals associated 

 with planting and reaping take place when certain constellations 

 appear in the sky, and it is probable that there are other cere- 

 monial dates which are calculated by the stars; while the time for 

 the drinking festival, called Ginum, is regulated strictly by lunar 

 phases. 102 



The Bagobo have no permanent temples that function as common 

 gathering places for religious rites. In preparation for the ceremony 

 of Ginum, a large, well-roofed house is built for the accommodation 

 of a great number of guests or else the house of the chief is used, 

 temporarily, as a ceremonial house. Rice culture ceremonies are 



162 Among the natives of Minahassa, in former times, all undertakings, such as sowing, 

 reaping, making clothes, procuring salt, had to be performed at definite times, and were 

 forbidden at other times. Cf. P. and Y. Sarasin : lleisen in Celebes, vol. I, p. 44. 1905. 



