The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-08
SOME PHILIPPINE PAGANS.
THE FIERCE DAVATdWI TRIBES
IN SOUTHERN MINDANAO.


The following account OF some little-known
savages OF the Philippines is furnished by
William Jameson Reid. author OF Through
Unexplored Asia"
Except for the small strip OF territory lying
on the coast and the territory In the immedi-
ate vicinity OF tho larger towns. the Philip
pine Islands are to-day 20 all intents and pur-
poses practically unexplored. For nearly
century this region has possessed singular
fascination for explorers and ethnologists. 1t
might well be admired for the glorious. diver
sined prospects afforded by its immense
mountain ranges and sub-tropcal plains even
though 1t we're ninhabited. but it owes great
deal OF the power which 1t exercises over
the imagination to the fact that in
II dwell some the stranRest and least-known
races OF the world. Many travellers have
sought to penetrate its jealousy guarded bar
riers. but Of these attem pts very few have been
successful. owing to the hostility OF it's inhabi-
tants to intrusion. Strange as 1t may appear
the natives whom the American troops have
been called upon to face represent a very small
percentage OF the real population OF the Philip
pines. There are altogether something more
than q thousand islands in the Philippines. and
the greater number OF them have never been
explored. but 1t is known that In some OF the
islands idol-worship. cannibalism and head
Inhabitants have tree-dweling habits.
One OF the most curious Of all these races.
and numerically the largest. are the Davatawi.
who occupy the southern part Of the Island OF
Mindanao. Basilan and the northern islands OF
the Sulu archipelago, while scattered tribes
arc to be found on tho Island of Paawan. three
hundred miles to the west. The Davatawi. ow-
ing to their piratical habits. are the hogies Of
the Malaysian archipelago With their great
war proas they range the waters from the Phil
ippines to Bornso on expeditions which are. in
reality. nothing less than piratical forays.
| burning villages. slauRhtering unoffending
victims and carving away slaves and plumber.
Even the fierce tribes Of Borneo are by no
means safe from these periodical expeditions.
which usually take place twice year, during
tho spring and fall m onsoons. or at more ire
| quent intervals when prompted bv a threat
ened famine.
Our first meeting with the Davatawi war
riors occurred at the end OF three DAYS march,
| ing into southern Mindanao. AS was our
custom. we encamped as the sun set on a mar
| row deolivity between two high hills. and sur
| rounded our camp with loosely constructed
| stockade Of fallen trees and bushes to guard
| against hostile night attack. as we had many
evidences that the district we we're travsrsinG
| contained inhabitants. Immediately tho fires
| had been lighted a wild hullaballoo arose on
| all sides, and against the clear sky several
hundred naked figures doomed up on the crest
| OF the hill. and in moment more were in wild
| career. the noise OF their iron-so sandals on
| the finty earth suggesting a charge OF steel
| hoofed bufYaloes. Hurriedly Selling our
weapons. we were prepared to make desper-
ate defence. when we caught sight of those in
| front holding branches and grass high aloft as
| tokens OF the friendliness OF their intentions
| A haI la y
| proptiatory signals. they crowded into the en-
| closure and at once began to talk in tone so
harsh and uncouth that we were not little
| intimidated
| Our Filipino escort was frightened out oil
| their wits before these uncouth barbarians
| Argtusn. the valorous captain OF the guides
| who had entertained us during many weeks
with accounts Of his valor. was the personif.
cation OF fright. Although deferential and
courteous to us. our strange visitors took ex-
treme delight in imposing on our followers
| stalk ing among them with an assumed air o.
ferocity and making the direst threats as tc
| the pleasure they would experience in eating
| their heads. Ono burly giant singled out Arg.
tuen as a fit object for his rude drollery. rush
| ing at him time and time again with ostensi
| bly, beligerent intent. until. when within n few
| feet he would burst into long peals OF laugh
| ter and lower his spear. a safe deliverance
| which our worthy guide received with
| CHASTITY smile that but niggardy veneered his
| udicrous terror. Others would seize upor
| some trem bling member OF our escort ant
| diecuss his value as a slave, placing the unfor
| tunate individual before a mock court. who
| were to determine his value and to whom he
| should be disposed.
| What land Ia this buffalo calf FROM" asked
one.
| Regard his valorous attitude" said another
| sally which. with the trembling knees anC
| dusky paleness OF the victim. provoked louc
laughter.
He is surely but calf two months old
| scurvy and half dead. not worth basket re
marked third.
Not he. l would not buy him for rip,
| banana. Yet lie might make a succulent din
ner" ventured fourth
And so tho Good-natured chaf continued un
til the F.l!pnos. finding that they were not i'm
| mediately killed and eaten. entered into thu
| spirit OF the occasion. albeit somewhat t!midll
| and even yet inclined to doubt the real inten
| tions OF these barbarous tormentors. Durinl
several months following this episode W,
| travelled through the land OF this strange peo
pie visiting their villages. and by mnglin,
| closely with them were enabled to study to al
vantage their strange nature and curious
| characteristics.
| fnySlcdily, tney were one Oh tho U0eSt race
we had seen in Asia. In stature the men wer
rarely under six feet in height. rather slight,
built. but extremely active and courageou
and capable OF enduring great fatigue AM
hardship. In facial characteristics they mucl
resembled the North American Indian. beinl
some what similar In color. with small eyes an,
high chez bones. Notwithstanding the tropi
cal fertility OF their country, they are singularl
improvident. and decimatlng famnes occur a
frequent intervals. When such n caamit!
overtaLes u tribe. the warriors are called to
Gether from the surrounding country by run
ners and gathered in the chief tribal settle
ments. where they are exhortSd in glowing ny
perbole by the native priests and old men
Thus fortified. the warriors embark in thei
proas and engage in piratica forays on thu
peaceful islands OF the Palay group to thu
north. or fierce tribes OF eastern Borneo
between whom and the Davataw Their
exists n perpetual feud. When thes,
expeditions return there is much feasting ant
dancing. and in some cases. when slaves arr
not wanted the celebration is accompanied