the description here given of the two greatest events of the year--the
_GinEm_ ceremony and the human sacrifice--deals with Cibolan, unless
expressly stated to the contrary.

The greatest of all Bagobo ceremonies--the _GinEm_--may be given by the
_datu_ within three or four months after the appearance of the
constellation _Balatik_, when the moon is new or full. Its object is to
thank the spirits for success in war or domestic affairs, to ward off
sickness and other dangers, to drive away the _buso_, and finally to so
gratify the spirits that they will be pleased to increase the wealth of
all the people. Datu Tongkaling expressed a belief that this ceremony is
in a way related to the rice harvest, "for it is always made when there
is plenty of rice in the granaries." It appears to the writer, however,
that this ceremony probably originated in connection with warfare.

According to the tales of the old men, it was formerly the custom to go
on a raid before this ceremony was to take place, and successful
warriors would bring home with them the skulls of their victims which
they tied to the _patan'nan_.[46] It seems also to have been closely
associated with the yearly sacrifice, for it was never made until after
the appearance of the constellation _Balatik_, and without doubt a
sacrifice frequently did take place during the first day of the
ceremony, at the time the decorated poles were raised. However, such an
offering at this time did not relieve the _datu_ from the obligation of
making the regular sacrifice.

[46] Ceremonial poles dedicated to Mandarangan and Darago. In Digos and
Bansalan the skulls were not taken but hair cut from the heads of
enemies was placed in the swinging altar _balakat_, and were left there
until the conclusion of the ceremony.