all the spirits, but they are particularly close to the _almogol_. When
a person is ill he is placed in a little house known as _lawig_ (Plate
LII), beside which a fire is kindled. Nearby are two decorated bamboo
sticks, behind which the spirit of the sick man stands while he watches
the proceeding. The _almo-os_ takes a chicken in his hands and, while
five or six assistants dance, he chants, appealing to the spirit to see
the good things that are being prepared, and to be pleased to return to
the sick man. Occasionally, the music stops and one of the dancers cries
"_almogol_, here is food for you; you must not go away." After a time
the fowl is killed, is cooked over the fire, and is fed to the invalid,
while the "doctor" continues his song of entreaty. If the call pleases
the spirit it will pass between the bamboo sticks and go to the sick
person in the _lawig_, but if it is not convinced that it should remain
it departs, and the patient dies. The sick person is kept in the spirit
house for a day and is then returned to his home.

[62] See page 133.

Little structures known as _bolon_ are erected for other spirits who may
be trying to injure the _almogol_ or attempting to persuade it to leave
its owner.

Certain ceremonies and offerings occur after a death, at the birth of a
child, at planting and harvest times, and when the warriors are about to
start on a raid; all of which will be spoken of in a later paragraph.
When approaching a place known to be owned by certain spirits, it is
thought wise to make a small offering. On the trail to Ma-al is a large
rock which marks the divide between the mountains and the open cogon
lands. As the writer's party approached this stone one of the men
removed some of his leg bands and placed them beside the rock, at the