The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-07-07
BY PAUL P. DE LA GIRONIERE
Chevalier of the Order of the Legion of Honor.

oned us to follow them.
We obeyed. They led us to their chief
who was an old man. My generosity wa.
greater towards him than it had been Il
his subjects. He appeared so delighted
with my presents, that he Immediately
put us at our ease, by making us under
stand that we had nothing to fear, and
that he took us under his special pro-
| lection.
This pleasing reception encouraged us.
| / then set about examining with atten-
| ton the men, women, and children who
surrounded US, and who seemed as much
aStoniShed as ourselves. My amazement
was very great when i beheld tall men,
| slightly bronZed, with straight hair, regu-
! lar features, aquiiine noses, and really
| handsome, elegant women. Was / really
among savageS? | should rather have
thought | was among the inha bitants of
the south of France. had it not been for
the costume and language. The only
clothing the men wore was q sash, and
sort of a turban, made out of the bark of
the fig tree. They were armed, as they
always are, with Il long spear, small
Ratchet, and q shield.
The women also wore a sash, and a
small, narrow apron that came down to
their knees. Their heads were orna-
mented with pearls, coral beads, and
pieces Of gold, twisted among their hair;
the upper parts of their hands were
painted blue; their wrists adorned with
interviewer bracelets, Spangled with glass
beads-theSe bracelets reached the elbow,
and formed kind of half-plaited sleeve
On this subject | learnt a remarka bic
fact. These interviewer bracelets squeeze
the arm very much; they are put on when
the women are quite young, and they pre-
vent the development of the flesh to the
advantage ofsthc wrist and hand, which
swell and become dreadfully big; this is a
mark of beauty with the 1inguianS, as a
4.
small waist with the European ladies'.
/ was quite astonished To find myself
in the midst OF his p pu!ation, wi ere
there was no Iea: on wi at -ctver to be
alarme / remarked that the reception
given me by the chief gained us the good
will of all the inhabitants, and | accepted,
without hesitation, the hospitality prof
fered us.
The territory occupied by the Tinguians
is situated about II degrees north Iati-
tude, and q degrees west longitude; it is
divided into IL villages. Each family
possesses two habitations, one for the
day and the other for the night. The
abode for the day is a small cabin, made
of bamboos and straw, in the same style
as most Indian huts; the one for the night
is smaller and perched upon great posts,
or on the top of a tree, about so or 80 feet
above the ground.
This hight surprised me, but / under
stood this precaution when knew that
thus, under shelter at night, the Tin
gulanS are saved from the nocturnal at
tackS OF the Guinanes, their mortal enc
mics, and defend themselves with the
stones which they throw from the tops Of
the trees. THE most bitter enemies OF
the Tinguians are race of cruel, blood
thirsty SaVageS, who inhabit the interior
of the mountains They have also to fear
the lgorrots, who live nearer, but who are
less savage.
u
large shed, in which are held the assem-
blies, festivities, and public ceremonies.
had been already two days in the village
OF Palan this was the name of the place
where | stopped att, when the chiefs re-
ceived a message from the small town of
Laganguilan Madalag, that lies far off to
the east. By this message the chiefs
were informed that the inhabitants of this
district had fought battle, and that they
had been victorious.
The inhabitants of Palan hearing this
news screamed with Joy; il was quite a
-umult when they heard that fete would
be given in commemOration Of the sue
cess at Laganguilan Madalag. All
Wished to be present-men, women, chill
l en-; all desired to go to it. But the
chiefs chose a certain number of warriors.
some women, and a great many young
girls; they made their preparations and
set out. 1t was too favorable an oppor-
earnestly begged my hosts to allow me to
accompany them.
They consented, and the same night we
set out on our journey, being in all 20 in
number. The men wore their arms, which
are composed of Ratchet, that they call
aigua, sharp-pointed spear Of bamboo |
and shield; the women were muf1led up
in their finest ornaments. | remarked |
hat these garments were cotton materials |
Of snowy colors. We walked one behind
another, according to the custom of the |
Savages. We went through many villages
he inhabitants OF which we're also going
% the fete; We crossed over mountains, |
orests, torrents, and at last, at break Of
lay, we reached Laganguilan y Madalag.
This small town was the scene Of much
eioicing. On all sides the sound of the
gong and tom-tOm were heard. TIE first
IF these instruments is OF q Chinese
shape; the second is in the form Of
sharp cone, covered over at the bottom
with deer's skin.
Towards II o'clock, the chiefs of the