[1] According to early writers, the Moro of the Gulf carried on a lucrative slave trade with this and other tribes.  As the Moro raids were made by water and often reached as far as the Northeastern coast of this island and south to the Celebes it is quite possible that these remote districts have helped in the upbuilding of the tribe under discussion.

The religious beliefs have many points in common with those of the neighboring tribes, but there are some which require special notice.

Two powerful beings, TimanEm and his wife Diwata[2] are above all other spirits.

[2] The Padada people say the term diwata is a name which may be applied to the timanEm, of whom there are two, a male and a female.

Mandalangan, also called Siling or Manobo Siring, is much like the Bagobo divinity of similar name.  He is fond of war and bloodshed and when there has been a great slaughter he feasts on the flesh and drinks of the blood of the slain.  Only warriors can address him and make the offerings of red food which he demands.  Once a year, usually after the rice harvest and when the moon is full, a raid must be made and victims slain so that this spirit can feast.[1] If the Warriors fail to render him this service Mandalangan will cause their bodies to swell up and many will die, while sickness will visit all other members of the tribe.[2]

[1] Data Bongkalasan says it was formerly the custom to make a foray at each full moon.

[2] This was the reason given for the raid on the coast plantations in 1911.

The many spirits who inhabit rocks and large trees are generally favorable to man and are collectively known as magintalonan.

Tama owns the deer and wild pigs, and no one hunts or traps in the forest until he has made an offering of betel nut to this spirit.  When game is secured its tail and ears are strung on rattan and are hung in a tree, in exchange for the live animal.

The maniokan, generally evil spirits, resemble snakes, and like them live in the ground.  People are frequently made lame by simply stepping over their homes.

Each man and woman has a spirit, kalaloa,[3] dwelling in his body during lifetime.  At death this spirit goes into the sky, unless it deserves punishment, in which case it is hurried to Kilot, a region below.  In either place these spirits keep close watch over the living and bring success or disaster according to their will.  They have come to be looked upon as the guardians of the fields, and suitable offerings are made to them at planting and harvest time.

[3] The Kulaman of Santa Cruz insist that each person has two kalaloa, one on the right side and one on the left.  At death the one on the right side goes to a good place in the sky, where there is no work and “thoughts come easy.”  The kalaloa of the left side goes into the ground to a poor place called Kilot.  It is probable that the neighboring Bagobo have influenced the beliefs of this group.