The Savannah morning news., 1901-06-14
OUR FRIENDS THE IGORoTTEs.
Strange Habits and Superstitions of
a Tribe i'm Northern Luzon.

Strange Habits and Superstitions of
Tribe i'm Northern Luzon.
From the New York Sun.
Philadelphia, June S.-Edward C. Will
son, who is in Philippines serving with
Company c Of the Twentieth Infantry at
Angaqui, has sent letter to First Sergt.
James Welsh of the First Regiment. N.
G. p. which contains some interesting
facts in regard to a people who have
some strange superstitions and tastes.
The letter reads:
From very close observation and the
help of an old Spaniard, who is a friend
Of mine and has been a settler In this
barrio for many years, have been able to
gather the following facts concerning our
friends, the Igorottes.' In the first place,
YOU do not have to recommend outdoor
or Delsarte exercise for them, as they are
constantly In the open air. Active at all
times, they are great mountain climbers
and in breathing the pure, clear air of the
mountains here. sickness is seldom known
among them. AS race they are excep-
tionally well developed. though someW hat
small. They are never troubled over dress
or its reform. Their one costume an
swers for all occasions and as practically
worn all the year round. They are, how
ever, not over-cleanly in their persons,
and about the only time they get a bath
is when II rains or when they, by acci-
dent, fall into stream.
In their habits they closely resembls
our Indians, and the prehistoric Indian
custom of letting the women do all the
work and drudgery while their lords and
masters sit around In indolent ease,
smoking green tobacco in ill-smelling
pipes, prevails. The women and children
also have acquired the habit Of smok-
ing, and when a family gathers around
the circle on an evening and begins to
smoke that Is your cue to fee, for 20
stay is TO be Strangled by the dense vol
up OF evil smoke which they produce.
l have found that many Of these people
suffer from a frightful throat disease
that resembles cancer. and which be-
lieve to be brought about by their ex-
ceesive smoking Of unsea soned tobacco.
They say II Is caused by the great guam
tity of unknown mineral substances in
the water they drink. have not known
the water to affect amy of our men In
this manner, although they freely drink
1t and constantly battle in II.
Superstition enters largely into their
cure for sickness. When a part OF the
body is injured they tattoo little stars all
over the affected parts, believing that by
this means they will drive the little devils
out that have taken up their abode there.
Being exposed to the sun and weather at
all times they are constantly shedding
their skin, much like a snake. Probab bly,
this IL the reason they do not wash, for
they are so proverbialiy lazy and indo-
lent in things Of this kind that they
prefer nature 20 conduct the job.
For ornamertation the women gather
little berries, which they string and
which are then plated In the strands OF
their black hair. making quite pleas
ing contrast. With tastooing, these are
about the only ornaments they affect, ex-
eepting some OF the older women, who
wear necklaces made OF the backbones
Of snakes. I purchased one OF these for
the equivalent Of % cents. American
money. but have not been able 70 bring
myself 90 wear a.. although they say they
are productive OF good luck.
DOGS are considered by these people
10 be a great dolicacy, men and boys max
ing frequent trips 70 the coast towns
where they gather up ali the stray ca
nines they can. bring them here and fat
ten them. sfterward disposing Of them at
good figures.
when DEAN occurs IN n family the ma
tiven take chickens, meats and other kinds
OF food and a great feast u held. followed
By a Wild dance similar 20 the dances Of
our Western Indians. and on he cioso
the body IL buried che Dervonal bel9nE-