VENTURELLO] MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF TAGBANUAS 547 
ing to the high mountains where begin their rice fields, so small that 
the products thereof furnish scarcely enough food during the first 
days of the harvest. They cover their loins with the bark of the 
antipolo, namuan and inbalud. This garment known as bahag 
is made into different forms, some being painted red and yellow. 
During the time of harvest, they live on rice; in the time of scarcity 
they eat roots, the fruits of the forest, wild boar, squirrel, and vermin. 
Their chosen delicacy is wild honey and a preparation made of 
tis and: the larve of the bees, boiled like rice. They hurt the 
wild boar and birds by means of the arrow and the blow-gun, which 
they handle with almost incredible skill and accuracy. They are 
always followed by their wives who with hair unbound, very curly 
and disarranged, carry their children suspended from their necks 
in a cloth made of the bark of trees and with the four corners 
tied together. This weight rests upon the back or is sustained 
at the breast. Apart from this, they carry small baskets made of 
woven cane and which contain the articles needed for the journey. 
The men bear naught but the bow and arrow, the blow-gun, a lance 
if there are any, and a tube made of cane. This is suspended from 
the waist by a piece of bamboo or string. Within the tube or 
ranque are steel, flint, and fuse; the fuse being the shavings of 
bamboo and the beaten bark of palm. With this apparatus they , 
make fire which they call santican. 
Twenty-five or thirty years ago the Batacs were nomads. They 
formed no rancherias and slept wherever night overtook them. 
Today, thanks to their frequent trading with the Christian and semi- 
civilized Tagbanuas, their savageness has not only moderated but has 
practically disappeared. Now they have commercial relations with 
strangers and admit them with hospitality and confidence. Among 
this number they chose one who inspired them with confidence 
and gave them more protection. The Batacs gave to him the 
title of agalen, which means friend. He it is who provides all 
they need, such as bolos, cooking utensils, etc., including rice in 
times of scarcity; in exchange for these articles bringing to him 
almaciga, bejuco and wax. The Batacs differ slightly from the 
Queneys. They eat the same kinds of food with the exception - 
of worms, centipedes, lizards, etc. With the exception of the 
Batacs known as Buhayane, who inhabit the mountains about 
Malcampo and Umalad, they do not eat snakes and inguanas. 
The Buhayanes are very warlike and cruel towards their enemies 
as demonstrated during the Jolo piracy which reigned in this island. 
