that he had to lean on a post. For a time he appeared to be in a trance.
After resting a few minutes he stalked majestically around the edge of
the mat, exaggerating the lifting and placing of his feet and putting on
an arrogant manner. After walking a minute or two he picked up a red
handkerchief, doubled it in his hand so that the middle of the kerchief
projected in a bunch above his thumb and forefinger; then he thrust this
into the flame of an _almaciga_ torch. The music started anew and he
resumed his frantic dance until the flame reached his hand when he
slapped it out with his left hand, and stopped dancing; then catching
the kerchief by two corners he shook it out showing it untouched by
fire. The daughter of Bankiaoan next went into a trance lying down and
singing the message of Tagbusau and other gods to the assemblage. The
singing was done in a small inclosed room, the singer slipping in and
out without my seeing her."

The letters of Pedro Rosell written at Caraga in 1885 contain many
references to the duties of the _ballyan_. In one account he records the
following song which he says is sung by the priestesses when they invoke
their gods Mansilatan and Badla.[120]

[120] BLAIR and ROBERTSON, Vol. XLIII, pp. 217-21, and Vol. XII, p. 270.

"Miminsad, miminsad si Mansilatan

Opod si Badla nga magadayao nang dumia

Bailan, managunsayao,

Bailan, managunliguit."