The Afro-American advance. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1899-19??, 1899-06-03
FOND OF CHINAMEN.
Philippine cannibals Prefer Them
to White Men.
o.riou. cu.sons saa Appearances
sons Of she Denisens Of Oar
newly Acquired
Islands.

| of Paris, there IN certainly the ques-
Itiopable one Of numbering among sew
eral millions OF new citizens some 3d.
600 cannfbals. residing principally In
the northeastern provinces Of sunigas
and Bisby. In the island OF Mindnnao.
This fact, however, need not serious
| " deter prospective settlers starting
out TO grow up with the new country,
for humillating though II may be 10
Jour pride rs race. yet II IL reaEsuripg
to learn that the Philippine cannibai,
like his savage cousins Of the north
coast OF Australia and New Guinea,
does not fully appreciate the white man
| az dish.
Indeed, IL Is asserted that he infinite
! y prefers n nice. young, riee-fed China
man, only partaking Of white man
when nothing better in the way Of big
game Is to be bagged-tbe white mans
flesh being too tough and too salt for
his fastIdious taste.
In the island Of Mindanao the canni-
balls belong chiefly TO the two tribes
OF the Monolos and Mapdayas, inhabit-
ing the valleys of the Agusan and
sAlny rivers. respectively country
which Is reported to be rich In gold,
quicksilver and other metals and espe-
ciAlly suitable for the raising Of COT
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 dialect Of n language
called Tagaloj, which seems 10 be itself
n diplect Of some other language not as
yet 'slght In the public schools OF the
United States
In disposition the Monolos, In par
ticular, are fierce, warlike people,
ever on the lookout for a pretext 10
stir up trouble with their nelghbors,
making slaves of their numerous cap
tivcs, and occasionally, when pig is
scarce, dinner of their slaves.
As evidence OF their martial spirit
| there Is custom extant among them
| Of comforting titles OF distinction upon
those warriors who have killed 60 OF
| their enemies--a custom which. strange
ns IL may seem to the Monolos, will
| probably regarded by Uncle Sam as
too much OF an anomaly 10 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, II may be In
teresting as we'll ms instructive, TO be
made aware Of the fact that the stran-
ger can tell by the manner OF bis recep-
ton whether or not he Is likely 20 be
come the chief dish OF a frast.
II his welcome is cold. and he II
churlishly urged to 40 on his way, by
the flight OF an arrow. let him not com
| plain OF the Monolos' inhospitality, for
that IL the worst that may come TO
him; but II on the other hand he is ef-
fuslvely greeted, let him beware, aa he
IL surely destined for an impIovised
| oven.
And In the latter event the procedure
Is unmistakable. The stranger IL cor
daily invited 10 dt on tho same mat
with the chief, and paid the greatest
Difference.
lie Is then served with dinner com.
posed OF such seasonahle dclieacieA as
the Monolo cooks can produce--not a
hint being given. not word being said
about anything unpleasant taking
| place subsequently; after which, with
many expressions OF qualification at his
unexpected visit, he 10 conducted by the
chief In person 10 n new hut In which
to pass the night.
Then, as the freshman would say, be-
| gina the "dlyilment" Once securely i'm
side and aAleep, the Monolo hosts quiet
~ pile heaps of fagots around the hut
OF their nnKuspeeting guest and at
last. applying torch, bake him TO their
own taste, without giving him chance
20 utter protest,
These Mandayas have a quaint and
interesting custom OF selecting bri,ic.
When young man has made .hls
choice OF helpmate. she Ia dispatched
one morning about sunrise Into the jun
gle Co hide,
About an hour later the lover sets
forth In his quest, when. n successful
In finding her before shutdown they are
considered betrothed, but II she re-
turns alone at that hour the match Is
declared OF. and the young man must
make another selection.
This would seem 10 leave the anal
decision In great part TO the Mandaya
girl, for II she approves Of the young
man she can doubtless easily find way
% informing him OF the tree behind
which she intends TO hide; or otherwise
the jungle would surely be good place
10 escape him.
CanHihallsm H. or has been, praeticed
In nearly all the iAlandk contiguous &c
the Philippines.
That the United States will permit
cannihalism 10 become a factor In Phil
ippine state politics, thstwe may short.
" read OF a native gentleman running
~ the interest OF eannihal party for
the Office OF mayor OF Zamboanja. the
capital Of Mindanao, IL hardly prob
able; but that 40 considerable body
Of Americans will finally relinqulsh the
practice without the mysterious siisap.
pearanee Of few pioneers. Is a matter
for prospective pioneers in that coun.
/ try 20 ponder BOSTON Globe.
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/ Income ssf che Church of England