THE ALCOHOL INDUSTRY OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, Ul. 109 
During religious ceremonies, a bowlful of the brew is set out 
with the usual viands (meat, rice, etc.) for the diuata (Manobo 
and Mandaya deities), tagbanua (lord of the hills and the val- 
leys), and other spirits. 
The acquisition of an unusual amount of meat or fish is the 
ordinary occasion for drinking, as it affords the complement 
for the tuba (intus) and gives rise to the holding of a swmsum- 
an; that is, the eating of meat or fish with an accompaniment 
of drink. : 
The swmsum-an, a practice universal throughout the Agusan 
Valley, the Salug Valley, and the whole Mandaya country, is a 
thing that appeals especially to the true Mandaya and Manobo 
and Mangguangan. After securing a good catch of fish, or 
after trapping a wild boar, he procures a supply of tuba and 
meets his guests at the appointed place, usually his little farm- 
house. As soon as all are assembled, the fish or the meat is 
broiled on sticks of wood over the fire. When cooked, or rather 
scorched, the women lay it out and it is slashed to pieces, 
usually by the host, and apportioned with great precision as to 
weight, quality, number of bones, and amount of meat. During 
this operation a few bamboo jointfuls of tuba are brought from 
their hiding place, and a relative of the owner sits down with 
one under his arm while before him are set such articles as 
glasses and bowls, if obtainable, or, in lieu thereof, small pieces 
of bamboo joints, each holding about a tumblerful, and not very 
different in shape from German mugs without handles, which 
admirably fulfill the purpose. Having sliced a little exterior 
strip from under the mouth of his bamboo deposit to prevent 
loss of the liquor after pouring, the host inserts two fingers into 
the mouth of the bamboo and makes an opening for the tuba, 
but not so large as to give free exit to such insects as may have 
found a liquid grave in its sweetness. He then fills the vessels 
at hand, taking care to give to each an equal amount. 
The host, at this point, passes the drink to those whom he 
wishes to honor and saying adla (Mandaya) or some such ex- 
pression corresponding to our Hnglish ‘Here goes,” they drink. 
The bowls or other vessels are returned to the distributor, and 
the process is repeated until all have had sufficient. In the 
meantime, pieces of pig or fish, sprinkled with red pepper and 
salt, are being sampled and friend vies with friend in giving 
tokens of good will. These tokens consist of huge handfuls of 
meat (lean, fat, bone, and gristle), well soused in salt (when on 
