S O O L O O. 
343 
which is obvious, in spite of their boasted prowess and daring. This 
trait of character is universally ascribed to them among the Spaniards 
in the Philippines, who ought to be well acquainted with them. 
The dress of the women is not unlike that of the men in appearance. 
They wear close jackets of various colours when they go abroad, and 
the same loose breeches as the men, but over them they usually have 
a large w T rapper (sarong), not unlike the pareu of the Polynesian 
islanders, which is put round them like a petticoat, or thrown over the 
shoulders. Their hair is drawn to the back of the head, and around 
the forehead it is shaven in the form of a regular arch, to correspond 
with the eyebrows. Those that I saw at the Sultan’s were like the 
Malays, and had light complexions, with very black teeth. The Data 
thought them very handsome, and on our return he asked me if I had 
seen the Sultan’s beauties. The females of Sooloo have the reputation 
of ruling their lords, and possess much weight in the government by 
the influence they exert over their husbands. 
It may be owing to this that there is little jealousy of their wives, 
who are said to hold their virtues in no very great estimation. In 
their houses they are but scantily clothed, though women of rank have 
always a large number of rings on their fingers, some of which are 
of great value, as w r ell as earrings of fine gold. They wear no stock¬ 
ings, but have on Chinese slippers, or Spanish shoes. They are as 
capable of governing as their husbands, and in many cases more so, 
as they associate with the slaves, from whom they obtain some know¬ 
ledge of Christendom, and of the habits and customs of other nations, 
which they study to imitate in every way. 
The mode in which the Sooloos employ their time may be exem¬ 
plified by giving that of the Datu; for all, whether free or slave, 
endeavour to imitate the higher rank as far as is in their power. The 
datus seldom rise before eleven o’clock, unless they have some parti¬ 
cular business; and the Datu Mulu complained of being sleepy in 
consequence of the early hour at which we had disturbed him. 
On rising, they have chocolate served in gilt glassware, with some 
light biscuit, and sweetmeats imported from China or Manilla, of 
which they informed me they laid in large supplies. They then 
lounge about their houses, transacting a little business, and playing 
at various games, or, in the trading season, go to the meeting of the 
Ruma Bechara. 
At sunset they take their principal meal, consisting of stews of fish, 
poultry, beef, eggs, and rice, prepared somewhat after the Chinese and 
Spanish modes, mixed up with that of the Malay. Although Moslems, 
they do not forego the use of wine, and some are said to indulge in it 
