204 COLE. 



dreams, or hj trembling fits when they are not cold, go to one already 

 accepted by the anitos ^ and from her learn the duties which they are to 

 perform. First there are long deains, or set prayers, which the spirits 

 taught the first Tinggians. These must be memorized word for word. 

 Then the objects desired by each spirit must be learned, so that no 

 %-isiting anito may be offended by, failure to receive his regular gift. The 

 greatest task is to learn the details of the various ceremonies of which 

 there are more than twenty, varying from a half day to seventeen days 

 in duration. Many months or even years may be required to learn all 

 tlie things which must be done. Wien all is mastered, the candidate 

 must secure her peling. These are a certain variety of sea shells which 

 are put in a small basket with a hundred fathoms of thread. If it is 

 possible she will use the peling of some dead medium but failing to 

 secure them new shells will be obtained. A small pig is killed; and its 

 blood, mixed with rice, is offered to the spirits. The liver of the animal 

 is eagerly studied, for it will give the sign whether or not the anitos are 

 satisfied with the new medium. Should the liver be spotted, further 

 preparation or offerings are desired and until a favorable sign is re- 

 ceived, no attempt is made to summon the spirits. Certain candidates 

 are never accepted by the anitos; but they are not l^arred from making 

 the deains and aiding in the direction of ceremonies. 



If the signs are favorable, the medium may now conduct ceremonies 

 alone and summon the spirits. She places the offerings before her on a 

 mat and after striking a dish repeatedly with her peling (to call the 

 attention of the spirits) she covers her face with her hands and trem- 

 bling violently, begins to sing, calling on the anitos to enter her body. 

 Suddenly she becomes possessed of a spirit and is no longer herself: 

 all her actions are those of a higher being, and as such she talks with 

 the people, asking and answering questions, or directing what shall be 

 done to drive away the sicloiess for which the ceremony has been made. 

 At one time only can she summon the spirit of the dead; just as the 

 body is to be lowered into the grave, the spirit may possess her and 

 through her, talk to his relatives. 



The pay of the medium is small — usually a portion of some animal 

 slaughtered for the ceremon}', a few bundles of rice and some beads; but 

 the taboos are severe. At no time may a medium eat of carabao, wild 

 pig, wild chicken, or shrimps, nor may she touch peppers. 



EELIGION. 



To understand the Tinggian at work or at play, it is necessary to 

 understand his religion, for to him it is very real, influencing every act 

 °of his daily life. A great and powerful spirit known as EadaMan lives 

 in the sky, and to him all other spirits are subservient "like soldiers." 



' Spirits siii generis. 



