102 BARTON. 



time, continence is the rule for the following classes: Persons of im- 

 portance, those who have a goodly number of rice fields ; persons who take 

 part in the harvest feasts, monbaki; and those who stack the rice in the 

 granaries, called mangikapia.^* The reason given for this practice is that 

 the bagol do not, at this season, approve of earthly pleasures and joys, 

 and punish those who indulge in them not only by not increasing, but by 

 actually decreasing their rice supply. I am informed that continence is 

 strictly adliered to; and I believe that it is so, knowing, as I do, the 

 implicit faith of the people in the tenets of their religion. And, besides 

 this implicit faith, there is the consideration that the members of the 

 three classes mentioned are middle-aged or elderly persons.''" 



During harvest time no Ifugao may eat of the carabao, ox,^° deer, 

 grasshopper, goat, fish, or snails. It is not forbidden to eat the flesh 

 of the pig, chicken, or duck. Vegetables, except ca motes, may not be 

 eaten. 



This renouncing present pleasures or advantages with the intention of 

 gaining greater advantages of another kind is an old story in religions 

 the world over. Self-denial is pleasing to the divinities; too much 

 prosperity arouses the Jealousy of the gods. "Who are these mere men 

 that they should have so much happiness ? Let them pay for it ! 



It is very interesting to find in another Igorot tribe, living under 

 very different conditions, an observance of celibacy and fast, from re- 

 markably similar motives. The Igorots of Suyoc, in the Subprovince 

 of Lepanto, live almost entirely upon the proceeds of their mining, the 

 climate of their village not permitting the cultivation of rice. I am 

 informed ^^ that when a Suyoc man strikes, or knows that he is about 



" This office is always performed by elderly men. 



°^ The Eskimo have a similar practice during the whaling season. Says Elie 

 Eeclus: "During the hunting season, the Aleutians often turned their wives out 

 of doors, forbidding them to cross the threshold of the great Joachim." * * * 

 Primitive Folk, p. 58. 



"Master whale is also a stickler for morality and virtue; he avoids latitudes 

 frequented by base and dissolute tribes ; does not approve of the whalers who 

 have the honor of attacking him compromising themselves with women during 

 the whaling season ; he would even punish them by some terrible chastisement 

 if their wives were vmfaithful to the conjugal vow during their absence; he 

 would cause them to perish by a cruel death if their sisters failed in chastity 

 before marriage." Ihid, p. 55. 



" In Mayaoyao village the ox is regarded as unclean, and the use of its flesh 

 as food is interdicted altogether by custom. For this information I am indebted 

 to Lieutenant-Governor Jeff D. Gallman. 



" I am indebted for this information to Major C. E. Nathorst, Philippines 

 Constabulary, and to Mr. Henry Eeeder. 



