The Wild Tribes of Davao District, Mindanao - The R. F. Cummings Philippine Expedition by Fay-Cooper Cole
page 75 of 211 (35%)
page 75 of 211 (35%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
There is some variance, in different parts of the Bagobo area, in the beliefs concerning the spirits or souls of a man. In Cibolan each man and woman is supposed to have eight spirits or _gimokod_, which dwell in the head, the right and left hands and feet, and other parts not specified. At death these _gimokod_ part, four from the right side of the body, going up to a place called _palakalangit_, and four descending to a region known as _karonaronawan_.These places differ in no respects from the present home of the Bagobo, except that in the region above it is always day, and all useful plants grow in abundance. In these places the _gimokod_ are met by the spirits, Toglai and Tigyama, and by them are assigned to their future homes. If a man has been a _datu_ on earth, his spirits have like rank in the other life, but go to the same place as those of common people. The _gimokod_ of evil men are punished by being crowded into poor houses. These spirits may return to their old home for short periods, and talk with the _gimokod_ of the living through dreams, but they never return to dwell again on earth. In the districts to the west of Cibolan the general belief is that there are but two _gimokod_, one inhabiting the right side of the body, the other the left. That of the right side is good, while all evil deeds and inclinations come from the one dwelling on the left. It is a common thing when a child is ill to attach a chain bracelet to its right arm and to bid the good spirit not to depart, but to remain and restore the child to health. In Malilla it is believed that after death the spirit of the right side goes to a good place, while the one on the left remains to wander about on earth as a _buso_,[42] but this latter belief does not seem to be shared by the people of other districts. [42] See p. 107. |
|