Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-12-09
ODD FILIPINO CUSTOMS.
DEVIL DANCE FOR THE exoRclsM OF
EVIL SPIRITS.

bonuou, WHO nus bpeht inuHy yours
on the island Of Luzon in the Philip
pines, relates these superstitions and
customs which prevail among the less
enlightened Filipinos.
MANY OF those who conform out
wardly to the rights OF the church, I"
he said, ''still cherish belief in
witches and Demons. They believe
that witches congregate at the birth
OF children and watch an opportunity
TO snatch the soul of tho newborn in
FAINT When birth takes place the
room is Theoretically sealed not 80
much as crack of the door or win
dow being left open, because to do
that would be to allow the entrance
OF the patianac, or witch, who is sup
posed to be able to get through the
smallest hole. IL the attending mid.
wife has occasion to believe that the
witches are actually at work charge
Of gunpowder is blown Off in the room
to frightem them away.
"Wheu the child thus bewitched is
born il is placed in draught of air in
an open door or window 80 that the
witches may have chance to escape
and the exorcism begins. Three witch
candles are placed upon the little face
--one on each cheek and another on
the chin. These are lighted and al
lowed TO burn until they are almost
consumed. Though the child some
times gets badly burned in the pro-
cess, such an accident Is considered
Of small account so long as the witch
is expelled.
"The Filipinos have some curious
customs in regard to courtship and
marriage They believe that the odor
impaired to the clothing by the body
has power to excite love. Those who
wish TO attract some one OF the OPP
posite sex will scheme to bring that
person in contact with some article
of clothing which has been worn by
themselves. When plighted lovers
are obliged to separate for time they
exchange garments with each other.
The believe that by this means faith
fulness is assured. So keen is
the sense OF smell among the
Filipinos that they can tell to
whom any article belongs by
merely smelling of it. There is
q peculiar manner Of kissing in vogue
among many of these tribes. Instead
of touching lips they press the nose
against the cheek of the person they
wish to caress and draw long, deep
breath.
"There are many modern Jacobs
and Rachels among the Filipinos, for
il is a custom for the prospective
bridegroom to serve for time in the
household of the brides father, IL he
has not money enough TO make cash
payment for the bride.
"One of their most interesting su-
perstitions is the belief that tho soul
OF man leaves his body during sleep
and goes forth on some mysterious
errand oil its own. This belief was
doubtless borrowed from the Bud
dhists, and one can offer no greater in
suit to Filipino than TO step over
him when he lies asleep, which, ac-
cording to his idea, is getting between
his body aud his absent soul.
''fhe islanders have many super
stitions in regard to bats. animals aud
reptiles. The huge caymans, which
abound in the Philippine rivers, fill
them with peculiar horror. They
believe that the caymans are always
on the lookout for those who have
sworn falsely or broken their prom
ises, and almost any native can tell
wonderful stories about the terrible
fate which has overtaken liars who
have fallen into the avs Of the cay
man.
1.-THE old belief, so common in Asia
and elsewhere, that certain sounds
have power over non.human pres
ences is cherished by the natives Of
the Philippines. and several Of their
most powerful lamentations are said
TO be preserved in secret manuscripts,
but though the Spanish clergy have
tried every means to procure these
books of the devil, as they call them,
their efforts have been unrewarded,
aud the dreade formula still remain
the secrets Of the native priests.
Zone of their customs is the devil
dance for the exorcism Of evil spirits.
II an epidemic Of smallpox, cholera
or other disease occurs in village
the mischief is at once attributed to
some evil spirit which has taken up
its abode in neighboring banyan
tree. The particular tree inhabited
by the devil is determined upon by
the native priest. and on the night
appointed for the exorcism the entile
population of the village marches to
the spot. bearing sacrihcial meats and
spices They form circle round the
banyan tree aud await the coming OF
the priest. Presently strange-look-
ing figure appears, clad in long.
flowing gown. and with high, peaked
red hat upon his head. Thea din
begins, aud the tontoms and other
barbaric Instruments mako night hid