Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-02
AMOK IN THE PHILIPPINES.
How It is Done by the Mahometans in
Sulu.

Sulu.
From the New York Tribune.
In Sulu and in Mindanao amoks by Ma
hometan fanatics among Moro tribesmen
are common. These fellows gave the Span
iards formerly a a good deal of trouble.
They are now giving the American sue
cessors of the ,Spaniards an idea of what
amok running means. The Manila Times
thus handles some recent fanatical out
bursts of this kind in that quarter: From
time to time reports have come in from the
southern possessions stating that some Mo-
ros have run amok'' While many people
will recognize the expression, there are few
who know it's real significance pertain
ing to the Moros. In 1900 reports frequently
came from the 23d Infantry, the 2Sth and
10th Volunteer regiments of MOros run
ming amok." Since the departure of these
regiments for the states reports from their
successors, the 18th Infantry and 18th Cav
airy, have frequently referred to the same
class of MoroS.
An army officer, recently from the Sulu
archipelago, gives the following signifi-
canoe to the expression: According to the
Mahometan religion, subject, no matter
how tired he may be of life, cannot reach
his happy hunting ground should he COM
nit suicide. These fanatics have a more
graceful manner of forcing death upon
themselves than more civilized people. For
example, A Sulu Moro, through falling
hopeleSsly in debt being taken into slavery,
after time sometimes becomes dependent
and decides to shuttle off the mortal twist.
Having reached this frame of mind, he tells
his troubles to the priest of his datto or
chieftain, who, If he believes the subject
is in earnest, refers the case to the next
higher authority with his approval. Thus
the case goes on through official chan
nels' until it reaches the member Of the
court of the sultan who decides such mat
ters. Should this dignitary approve of the
supplication, the subject is given a religious
ceremony and swears to die f1ghting.'
His eyebrows and parts of his head are
then shaved clean, and under certain con-
ditions he is given white turban. His
sword or other weapon, which must have
the keen edge of razor, is then exam
ined, and if found satisfactory he starts
out on the prescribed mission of blood let
ting
A great factor in the happiness in the
future world is his horse that he will re-
ceive after death. Its size will be large or
small, according to whether he Stays many
or few, and it's color light or dark, depend
ing upon the color of his victims. He of
course, desires large white horse Thus
1t may be seen that he is dangerous
character, particularly to Americans and
Europeans, though Chinese. being of lighter
skin than himself, often become his vic
Tins He prefers the lighter blood, but
does not hesitate to deal the deathblow
to other human beings, even to his fellow
tribesmen, if this coveted blood is not to
be had, figuring, no doubt, that in the
world to come he will be better off with a
small dark horse than with no steed at ALL
During the last year five Moros have run
amok in Jolo, the chief town of, Sulu
Thanks to the alertness of the American
soldiers, but one person has been injured
by these fends, and his recovery is assured.