The members of the family gather in the afternoon, and kill a small pig by cutting off its head.  A part of the blood is saved, and the balance is sprinkled against the house posts and ladder.  The pig itself is hung from one round of the ladder, so that its blood will drip to the ground.  The medium has been standing quietly to one side watching, but now she calls upon the spirits, “You (calling one or more by name), come out; be vomited up, for now you are being fed.”  She allows them a few minutes for their repast, then cuts open the carcass and removes the liver.  A bit is cut from the top, then she splits open the animal’s skull, and removes a little of the brain.  This she places on a banana leaf; and, after adding a small piece of gold, wraps it up and buries it beside the center post of the dwelling.  The animal is now cooked and served to the guests, but liberal portions are placed on the house rafters and other places convenient for the spirits.

Next morning a piece is cut from a dog’s ear, is smeared with blood, and is placed in a small split bamboo, together with two stalks of rice.  A clout is tied to a spear, and all are rubbed on the body of the patient, while the medium explains that this is the betel-nut of the spirits, and that, when she takes it from the village, they will go also, and the recovery be assured.  The family follows her to the gate of the town, and watches closely, as she thrusts the spear and pole into the ground; for if they are firmly set in the ground, yet lean away from the village, it is certain that the spirits have departed, and the sick will recover.

Following the ceremony, members of the family may not work for five days, neither may they lead a horse or carabao, or eat of wild meat.  Should they do any of the things forbidden, they will be struck by lightning.

Sapata the Oath.—­If a theft has been committed, and it has been impossible to detect the guilty person, the following procedure takes place.  A rice-mortar is placed in the yard, and on it a dish of basi.  All the people are summoned to gather, and one by one they drink of the liquor, meanwhile calling on the snakes to bite them, the lightning to strike them, or their abdomens to swell up and burst if they are guilty.  Soon the people will know the culprit, for one of these disasters will befall him.  When that occurs, his family will be compelled to make good the theft, as well as the expense of this gathering.

SECTION 2

The Great Ceremonies

In addition to the ceremonies and rites which may be celebrated by all the people there are a number of more elaborate observances, which can only be given by those who have the hereditary right, or who have gained the privilege by a certain definite procedure.