534 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS [voL. 48 
illness of the Masicampo Dimas of Inagahuan there assisted him 
different babailanes, but without any satisfactory results. On the 
day of his death the sad news was told throughout the town, circulars 
were sent to the local chiefs, to the dignitaries, and to all the other 
nobles of the rancherias of his command. The body remained in 
the house more than three days. Upon the arrival of the relatives 
the body was buried. Two days after his death his body was placed 
in a coffin known as lungon, which had been an old baroto and now 
served as a casket. 
The death of this superior chief was communicated to the Spanish 
governor of this island, at that time Sr. Canga Arguellez, who later 
sanctioned and approved the nomination of the successor of the 
dead masicampo. 
An hour after the death of a rich noble—especially if he be the 
superior chief of the tribe—the family and head men of the tribe are 
accustomed to fire a cannonade to announce the unfortunate event 
to the people, other cannons are also fired as the body is taken from 
the house and also when interred. At times, instead of placing the 
body in the graveyard, the family and head men will place it within 
a small hut constructed by the people as the last resting place for 
their chief. This house is placed without the habitation and is 
surrounded by a strong wooden fence in the manner of a stockade. 
The burial being finished, the family will place upon the grave ob- 
jects which he in life had possessed and cherished, such as vessels 
of metal and crockery, jars, articles of clothing, and jewelry, both 
of gold and silver. Among this people exists the ancient custom 
of giving food to the departed spirits. For this reason, the family 
after having finished the burial, place upon the grave the necessary 
articles of food, also a pot, glass, a cocoanut cup, and bamboo canes 
which contain water, which according to their belief the departed 
spirit drinks whenever he becomes thirsty. For months, even a year, 
the family will continue to carry food to the grave. After a year 
has passed, provisions are taken annually. 
In olden times and even until ten years ago, objects placed upon 
the graves were considered sacred. For this reason no Tagbanua 
ventured to take any of these things lest the departed soul would 
punish him with a terrible sickness and even at times kill him. But 
later contact with the whites caused them to value less this tradi- 
tional custom, and now in order to prevent robbery the family, before 
placing their offerings upon the grave, bore the large jugs and vases 
and break the dishes, so that neither the spirit nor those who wish 
