CH. vm CHASACTEBISTICS OF SANGIB ISLANDS 187 



CHAPTER \1U 



CHAEACTEPJSTICS OF THE SAKGIE ISLAN'DS 



Holy islands — The islands between Celebes and the Philippines— Facilities 

 for the distribution of animals — The avi-fauna — Legend of a former land 

 communication with Sangir — History of Sangir — The Sangirese race — 

 Slavery — Food — Diseases — Beligions —Marriage customs — Puneral cus- 

 toms — Fishing implements — Weapons — Dress — Physiognomy — Lan- 

 guage. 



Geeat SAi^GiE, situated between lat. 3° and 4° X., long. 

 143° E., is about twenty-five miles long, and in its broadest 

 part about fifteen miles across. It is exceedingly mountainons 

 throughout, the greatest height ' being reached by the Awu 

 volcano in the north. The land is everywhere very fertile, 

 and where it is uncultivated is covered by luxuriant forest 

 growth. 



Between Sangu- and the Talaut group there are several 

 small islands, but their exact number and position has never 

 yet been very accurately recorded. Of these the Cabiu 

 islands are the largest, and their position is from one and a 

 half to two miles to the east of the northern extremity of 

 Sangu-. One of these islands, called Cabiu lusu, is considered 

 by the natives to be holy, and they leave from time to time 

 goats and chickens on the island as offerings to the spirits 

 (79). The island is used by the natives as a refuge where 

 they can wait until the wind is favourable and weather 

 clear for their passages to Talaut, and this is perhaps the 

 original cause of the islands being considered sacred. 



' I can find no accurate determination of the height of this volcano, but 

 I should think it must be over 5,000 feet. 



