Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-11-14
THE IeoRRoTEs OF LUzoN.
Fine.looklns Natives, Friendly to Americans
and Hostile to TagaIs.


Fine. Looking Natives, Friendly to Americans
and Hostile to TagaIs.
Dr. Lloyd R. Hawley writes to The
Sun from Manila to say that there are
wrong Impressions in the United States
concerning the Igorrotes Of Luzon. He
says:
1.-THE Igorrotes are much larger than
the Tagals, straight and muscular; in
fact more like our Sioux Indians. Their
hair is straight and most Of the tribes
are friendly to us.
Arriving at an Igorrote village you
see the president or head man. He
gives you man to gather your wood,
another to bring water, another to feed
and care for your horse, etc. You pay
each from one to five cents. They
guard your things during the night.
and in the morning you may wake up
and see your horse off on the side Of u
mountain, three to five miles away,
grazing; but they are at hand when
wanted, having been carefully attend
ed to all night.
1.-The women are strong and sturdy.
Some of the younger ones are quite
good looking. All have fine eyes and
the unmarried ones are modest in
strangers company.
They are great packers. You can see
q long line of them, men and women,
with packs weighing from so to 100
pounds ascending mountain, twang-
ing their different toned bamboo tun-
ing forks, where it would be difficult
for an American to ascend with an al
pen stock. The packs are held by
straps to shoulders and waist, and
there is a band around the forehead.
Mothers put their little babies on top
of their packs, leaving their hands and
arms free to sound their tuning forks
These are made from pieces of bamboo
of different lengths, like the old-fash-
ioned tuning forks. They strike them
against one hand, keeping time as they
march along, and producing a sort OF
melody that is very pleasing to the
ear, as each gives a different tone.
A number Of prospecting parties have
formed mining districts in the Igorrote
country, elected recorders, presidents
and staked their claims, and now
dream Of untold wealth soon to be en-
joyed with wife or sweetheart in far
away America. Some Of them will, I
am afraid, have anything but pleas
ant awakening. That Is, those who
have gone through the, to them, mean
ingless form Of the IgoErote marriage
service. and large percentage have
done 80, considering 1t but form OF
purchasing a slave. But the United
States will, I think. be compelled to
recognize the marriage laws or customs
Of these people and consider them as
binding as a marriage in the cathedral
solemnized by the archbishop himself.
"The Igorrote courtship and mar
riage is simple. The young swain sees
the apple Of his eye, meets the stern
parent and asks for the daughter. The
parents ask what he can furnish for
the fiesta or ceremony ITSELF suggest
ing a cow and hog and plenty Of to-
bacco, native beer, tuba or calf, and
some chickens. The young man offers
a young calf, small pig, chickens and
plenty to drink. Indeed this young
man knows the worth Of our charming
daughter think the parents, and after
consent Is given the day is named for
the ceremony (Which Is generally with
in a day or so, or. on the same day)
The bridegroom takes the calf, pig,
chickens, etc., to the father-in-law's
house. The young lady is told OF her
good fortune, the neighbors come in
and help kill and dress the food. Then
the fiesta begins.
"A large fire Is built, the meats are
barbecued and all the relatives, neigh
bors friends and everybody else gath
er in a circle, dance, eat, etc., drink
and make merry until morning, or un-
til the cares and strifes Of this world
are knocked galley west by the over
in the liquid refreshments.
During all this time the blushing bride
and her lovelorn captive sit within the
circle. At the close Of the fiesta they
are man and wife, New York Sun.