
THE MATERIAL SIDES OF LIFE 121 
pounded into a pulp, but has its fibers remaining 
distinct; and whatever softness the material possesses 
is due rather to its natural qualities than to the prepara- 
tion. This cloth of bark is the only one used by the 
Negritos, except for such true textiles as they may 
acquire in trade or plunder. It is also still to be found 
among a number of pagan tribes other than the 
Negritos, as appears from an inspection of the Museum’s 
exhibit. It may have been used even by the ancient 
Tagalog and Bisaya. 
Men’s Clothing. The basic article of men’s dress 
in the Philippines is the breechclout, popularly known 
among Americans as the G-string—a narrow strip of 
cloth passed between the legs and held up at each end 
by a belt. Sometimes the strip is long enough to serve 
both as belt and clout proper. The mountain tribes still 
adhere to the breechcloth, and it was once universal 
among the brown peoples of the islands. The majority 
have now discarded it, but only because of the sub- 
stitution of more elaborate dress. As for the aboriginal 
habits of the Negrito, there is some doubt. Today, he 
wears a clout of cloth when he can afford to trade it from 
his more advanced neighbors. If he cannot, he appears 
to be nearly equally content with a clout of bark cloth 
or nothing at all. It is therefore not unlikely that his 
ancient habit was complete nudity. 
The first piece of clothing to be added to the breech- 
clout was evidently a coat or jacket. This was 
usually short-sleeved, often sewn together in front, was 
put on over the head like a shirt, and was always collar- 
less. The Spaniards found both Tagalog and Bisaya 
wearing these little coats. The Moros use them uni- 
versally, and appear to have done so throughout the 
historic period. From them the Bagobo and other pagan 
tribes of the south have derived the custom. As usual, 
