The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1899-05-20
.FON D OF CHIN AM EN
Philippine Cannibals Prefer Them
! s.4 to White Men. TT il. +
Curious Customs and Appearance Of
Some OF The Deninens, OF Our
Newly Acquired
~ Islands

Among many presumaDle Dement'S
transferred to the people of the United
States by the ratification of the treaty
of Paris, there is certainly the ques-
tionable one Of numbering among sew
eral millions of new citizens some 3d.
900 cannibals, residing principally in
the northeastern provinces of Sunigas
and Bisby. in the island of Mindnnao.
This fact, however, need not serious
ly deter prospective settlers starting
out to grow up with the new country"
for humiliating though it may be to
our pride as race, yet it is reassuring
to learn that the Philippine cannibal,
like his savage cousins Of the north
coast of Australia and New Guinea,
does not fully appreciate the white man
as dish.
Indeed, it is asserted that he infinite
ly prefers a.nice, young. rice-fed China
man, only partaking of white man
when nothing better in the way of big
game is to be bagged-the white mans
flesh being too tough and too salt for
his fastidous taste.
In the island of Mindanao the canni-
balls belong chiefly to the two tribes
of the Monolos and Mandayas inha bit
ing the valleys of the Agusan and
Salny rivers, respectively-a country
which is reported to be rich in gold,
quicksilver and other metals, and espe-
cially suitable for the raising of cof-
fee and cocoa plantations.
These cannibal tribes of the Monolos
and Mandayas are of Biscayan origin,
race of moderate height, with olive
compilations, broad noses, full lips and
coarse. straight, nearly black hair.
They speak a dialect of a language
called Tagaloj. which seems to be itself
dialect of some other language not as
yet taught in the public schools of the
United States.
In disposition the Monolos. in par
tcular, are a fierce, warlike people
ever on the lookout for a pretext tc
stir up trouble with their neighbours
making slaves of their numerous cap.
tives. and occasionally, when pig is
scarce. dinner off their slaves.
AS evidence of their martial spirit
there is custom extant among them
of comforting titles Of distinction upor
those warriors who have killed co oil
their enemies-a custom which. strange
as it may seem to the Monolos, will
probably regarded by Uncle Sam as
too much Of an anomaly to be permitted
to exist in any part of his dominions.
To those who contemplate visiting
the Agusan country in the course Of the
next two or three years, it may be in
| teresting as well as instructive, to b,
made aware of the fact that the stran
ger can tell by the mannerof his recep
ton whether or not he is likely to b,
come the chief dish of feast.
If his welcome is cold, and he i:
churlishly urged to go on his way. by
the blight of an arrow, let him not com
plain of the Monolos' inhospitalty. fo1
that is the worst that may come tt
him; but if on the other hand he is eff
fusively greeted, let him beware, as ht
is surely destined for an improvise6
oven.
Andin the latter event the procedur.
is unmistakable. The stranger is cor
| daily invited to sit on the same ma
with the chief, and paid the creates
Difference.
He is then served with dinner com
posed Of such seasonable delicacies a.
the Monolo cooks can produce-not {
hint being given, not word being sale
about anything unpleasant taking
place subsequently,; after which, will
many expressions of gratifca zion at hi
unexpected visit, he is conducted by tn
chief in person to new hut in which
to pass the night.
Then. as the 1rishman would say. be
gins the 'divilment." Once securely in
side and asleep. the Monolo hosts quiet
~ pile heaps of fagots around the hu
OF their unsuspecting guest and a
last. applying torch, bake him to thei
own taste. without giving him chanc.
to utter protest.
These Mandayas have quaint an<
interesting custom of selecting a bride
When a young man has made hi
choice of helpmate, she is dispatched
one morning about sunrise into the jun
gle to hide.
About an hour later the lover set
forth in his quest, when. if successful
in finding her before shutdown. they ar
considered betrothed; but if She re
turns alone at that hour the match i
declared off, and the young man mus
make another selection.
This would seem to leave the fina
decision in great part to the Manday;
girl. for if she approves of the youn|
man she can doubtless easily find wa,
of informing him of the tree behint
which she intends to hide; or otherwis.
the jungle would surely be good place
to escape him.
Cannibalism is, or has been. practicee
in nearly all the islands contiguous tt
the Philippines.
That the United States will permi
cannibalism to become factor in Phil
ippine state politics, that we may short
ly read of a native gentleman running
in the interest of cannibal party TO
the office of mayor of Fam boanja. tn,
capital of Mindanao. is hardly prob
able; but that so considera bic bod,
of Americans will finally relinquish thu
practice without the mysterious disap
q Inca ranoa of a faxu pionoore &c q matt q