the gathering. The body is kept over one night, and in the case of great
personages, for three days, or until the coffin--a large log split in
halves and hollowed out--is prepared. When this is ready the body is
placed in it, together with some prized articles of the deceased. After
the top has been fitted to the lower portion, they are lashed together
and the cracks are filled with lime.[41] The body is buried beneath the
house, and the grave is protected by a bamboo fence, within which is
placed food, small offerings, or perhaps a shield and spear. In some
instances the coffin is allowed to remain in the house, which is then
abandoned. It is said that when Datu Taopan died his funeral lasted ten
days, and on the last day the house was decked, inside and out, with
flowers and valuable gifts, and was then deserted.

[41] When the deceased has been a person of note the coffin is sometimes
decorated or colored. The coffin of a _magani_ should be red, yellow,
and black; while that of a _mabalian_ should be yellow, black, and
brown.

Following the burial the family lives in the house where the death
occurred until a human sacrifice has been made. During this period they
live very quietly, eat poor food, wear old clothing, and abstain from
all amusements. If their wealth permits, they may shorten the period of
mourning by making a special sacrifice, but in most cases the bereaved
will wait until the yearly sacrifice when they will purchase a share in
the victim and thus remove the taboo. Following the offering, the old
house is abandoned and is allowed to fall to pieces for "the man has
gone and his house must go also." The procedure is the same for women,
and for children who have survived infancy.

BELIEFS CONCERNING THE SOUL, SPIRITS, ORACLES, AND MAGIC.