East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1904-12-16
Natural History of the
Igorrote

The Igorrote is not such carniv-
orous animal" as has been so freely
implied, according to those who are
best acquainted with the people as
they live on the islands, according to
the Seattle star. There is sort of
superstitious belief among the dog
eaters governing the ceremony of
nshering the canine into eternity and
serving it as morsel of food.
In the first place the Igorrote is
particular about the kind of a dog
served him \ short-haired, yellow
dog suits his mind the best. A par
ticularly vicious dog is dietary
| dream. fine-looking dog appeals
to the sense of beauty and oftentimes
the life Of dog is spared because of
! its peculiarly pleasant lines.
According to the Igorrote the dog
! possesses a brave spirit" which is
shown only when driven into corner
and danger is threatened. Before
killing dog for the feast the war
riors of the tribe harrass the dog un-
til it becomes furious, When this
point is reached the brave little men
of the tribe seize it and Immediately
cut its throat.
Dog Served With Rice.
1t takes four dog eaters to do this.
The blood is saved in tom-tom, a
musical instrument, and served with
rice. This is a great delicacy for the
men of the tribe. The dog is then
deprived of its hair by singeing and a
strange ceremony performed over its
body The animal is then chopped to
pieces, entrails and all. and thrown
into the boiler to cook.
Two hours is consumed in cooking
the animal and the feast is ready.
The peculiar superstition attending
the feast is that the brave spirit
shown by the dog before the killing
will enter one of the members of the
tribe. The women are barred from
this feast, because the 1gorrotes fear
that the brave spirit might make a
mistake and get into woman.
The dog eaters do not wait after
J the cooking process is ended, but
proceed to eat while the stew i,
warm. Choice pieces of meat are
picked from the hot boilers with fin.
gers and a dog sandwich, which con.
} sists of a handful of rice and G
chunk of dog meat comprises tn,
feast.
Among the head hunters of tn,
tribe the feast is only observed wher
the head of an enemy is brought int,
camp, and only those who have woI
distinction by bravery are allowed t,
partake. Cowards are not allowed I,
attend the feasts for fear the bray,
spirit would be lost. The feast be
gins seven days before the hunte
} starts on an expedition and continue
I for seven days after his return.
Plant Rice to Music.
The Negritos are wandering rae
I of people and, on account of thei
/ small stature, are considered a
children by all races on the island
4 and are mmolested. Consequentl
they follow a rowing life and lead
I slovenly existence. They plant ric
) wherever they happen to be. so Ion
as it is not an encroachment upo
y 'iiN NNlllAOlN VI bllltI lIlJtS ana I'M
? branch of their farming is interest
Z ing.
B The male members of the tribe g
4 to the field. the only instrumen
. used being n stick crudely sharpenet
woman musician of the tribe take
4 a position within hearing of all an
slowly plays tune on a rough harJ
To this tune the men jab the site
B into the ground, varying their move
Z ments by the music dished out. TIL
) wives follow and drop a few ric
Z seeds into the hole and cover It,
B Heads Alone Count.
B The manner of selecting chief /
3 the ti:bes differs according to tn
"iciousness or habits of the peopl,
Chief Antonio, of the Igorrotes, wa
3 chosen on account of his bravery. A
chiefs of this tribe are selected /
this manner The candidate for tn
position must make a record for him
+ self in getting heads of the enem,
q which is chiefly the Moros, and othe
! heroic stunts
Z The Negritos elect their chief b
\ ballot A bowl is used as the ballo
I box and each candidate has one 1
= order to keep the votes separat,
I These bowls are arranged side by sid
4 on large rock and the old chief q
! the tribe presides over them. TIL
male members OF the tribe approac
4 the old chief, make a proper salaar
7 and tell him who is their choice.
The chief then takes small pebbl
! provided for the purpose, and place
I it in the bowl belonging to the candi
< date. After the polls are closed, tn
7 ballots are counted by the chief an