The color is obtained in two ways.  The more common method is to place a piece of metal on one end of a bamboo[1] tube, the other extremity of which rests on glowing coals.  The smoke from the charring bamboo is conducted through the tube to the cold metal on which it leaves a deposit or “sweat.”  This deposit is rubbed on the teeth, at intervals, for several days until they become a shiny black.  A second method is to use a powder known as tapEl which is secured from the lamod tree.  The writer did not see this tree but, from the description given of it, believes it to be the tamarindus.  This powder is put on leaves and is chewed.  During the period of treatment the patient is under certain restrictions.  He may neither drink water, cook or eat anything sour, nor may he attend a funeral.  Should he do so his teeth will have a poor color or be “sick.”  When the teeth have been properly beautified the young man or woman is considered ready to enter society.

[1] A variety known as balakayo is used for this purpose.

Boys run about quite nude until they are three or four years of age.  Until about the same age the girls’ sole garment is a little pubic shield, cut from a coconut shell and decorated with incised lines filled with lime (Fig. 7).  Not infrequently bells are attached to the sides of this “garment.”  When children do begin to wear clothing their dress differs in no respects from that of their elders.

FIG. 7.  LITTLE GIRLS’ PUBIC SHIELDS.

SKETCH OF FUNDAMENTAL RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

Although we shall treat religion more fully in a later paragraph, it is desirable that we now gain an idea of those beliefs which enter intimately into every activity of the daily life of this people.

The Bagobo believes in a mighty company of superior beings who exercise great control over the lives of men.  Above all is Eugpamolak Manobo, also called Manama, who was the first cause and creator of all.  Serving him is a vast number of spirits not malevolently inclined but capable of exacting punishment unless proper offerings and other tokens of respect are accorded them.  Below them is a horde of low, mean spirits who delight to annoy mankind with mischievous pranks, or even to bring sickness and disaster to them.  To this class generally belong the spirits who inhabit mountains, cliffs, rooks, trees, rivers, and springs.  Standing between these two types are the shades of the dead who, after they have departed from this life, continue to exercise considerable influence, for good or bad, over the living.

We have still to mention a powerful class of supernatural beings who, in strength and importance, are removed only a little from the Creator.  These are the patron spirits.