they can purchase a share in it. The one other occasion for which this
offering is obligatory is the installation of a new _datu_ in office.
For the yearly event the ruler should provide a decrepit slave, and then
invite all those who have had death or trouble in the family and who
wish a part in the sacrifice to help bear the expense of the ceremony.
Guests gather from near and far and for two or three days, feast, dance,
and make merry in the house of the _datu_. On the morning of the last
day they accompany their leader to a great tree in the forest and there
witness or take part in the sacrifice. The victim is tied with his back
to the tree, his arms stretched high above his head. Meanwhile a little
table or altar is constructed near by, and on it the principals place
their offerings of betel nut, clothes, or weapons, and on top of all is
a dish of white food for Eugpamolak Manobo. When all is ready one of the
_magani_ begins a prayer, begging the spirits to look and see that the
people are following the old custom, to give them success in battle, and
to protect their homes from sickness and enemies. The prayer being
completed, the _datu_ places his spear below and just in front of the
right armpit; then all those who have purchased a share in the victim
take hold of the weapon, and at a signal given by the _datu_, thrust it
through the body. As soon as it is withdrawn, the _magani_ who has
offered the greatest price for the privilege attempts to cut the body in
two with one blow of his fighting knife. If he fails in the attempt,
another tries, and so on until someone succeeds. The two portions are
then released from the tree and cast into a shallow grave near by.
Before the body is covered with earth any person who wishes may cut off
a portion of the flesh or hair and carry it to the grave of some
relative whom he may have reason to believe is being troubled by evil
spirits. In such a case the evil spirit will be content to eat of the
slave, and cease disturbing the other body. Returning to the house of
the _datu_, the people continue the dancing and merry-making throughout