The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1904-01-14
FROM the FAR PHILIPPINES
Some Curious Native Customs, As Noted
by An American Soldier Boy.

ptufec w Hllt, VI 70. VI, l'lN L, y. ln-
fantry, which will no doubt prove inter.
esiing 10 Republican readers.
a native hut is devoid of furniture,
containing neither chairs, tables nor
beds, neither have they knives and
lorks. When n native desires 10 60
TO bed he spreads bamboo mat on the
floor aud his bed is ready.
The native is mot bothered with rcmoy.
ing n supcrabundancc Of clothes, as is
his American brother He wears sue h
few clothes in his daily ramblcs that
when he wants 10 retire he simply Hops
down on his mat and sleeps the sleep OF
the just. II saves him II good deal Of
trouble in the morning too. The mo.
mcnt he awakcns he is ready for the
days proceedings, without maxing any
elaborate or extensive toilet,
The morning meal consists 0f boiled
rice, which is the staple dish Of the na-
tives. The rice is served in the same
earthcn pot in which it is cooked, and
the family gathers in n circle arou nd
it, squat,ing on their launches like
dogs. Then all dip into the pot with
the first two fingers of the left hand and
gracefully abstract portion Of the rice,
which is carried 10 the mouth and
pushed In with the thumb Of the same
hand. The next time you have rice try
TO eat IL this way and see how il works.
Occasionally chicken soup is on the
menu aud Is eaten the same way, the
chicken being first torn apart with the
fingers. They are also very fond of ish.
which are generally dried, und sold in
punches Of four or five, run through
with stick. Napkins and ingcr.bowls
are unknown quantities nj native fcasis,
the hair Of the fair scnorita answering
for the purpose. A meal with n native
family is thing long to be remembered
When scnori,a desires to take II
bath-and she takes ut least one every
day-sho simply walks into the back
yard and sits down by pail Of water,
which she pours over herself with CO.
coanut she'll. She il not bothered la
pull down the blinds. Nothing screens
hut her native modcsty, and she is sub.
timely Indifferent To anyone passing by.
Indeed, ii il Of 50 common occurrence
that no one pays any attention to her.
Surely there is no mock mOdcsty about
the Filipino maiden.
a Filipino funeral is another decided
ly novel proceeding. II the corpse is
that ola child 1t is generally dressed
In white and gaily bcdock,d with red
and blue ribbons. No coffin Is used, the
corpse being placed in II sitting position
on brightly decorated box, with burn.
ing candles arranged around. The box
Is carried on the shoulders Of four men
II the family of the deceased il In fairly
good circumstances the funeral cortcgc
is headed by the village band, COM
posed entirely OF natives, whoplay Hot
Time" "AIister johnson, or u waltz.
You may not believe this, but assure
you 1t is u solemn fact. The native
bands are very partial to the "TIo,
Time air and use 1t upon all occasions
weddings, christonings or funerals, IL
makes no difference with them. Fol
lowing the band comes the padre, priest
attended by alter boys carrying large
crosses on long poles all covered with
silvcry iinscl. Then comes the gaily
dressed corpse, followed by the family
and friends, all carrying burning can.
dies. When the band is not playing
the alter boys are chanting hymns. No
tears are shed and no one appears TO be
greatly worried. Tho young men and
women are laughing and apparently
having good time. After the funeral
all return to the hut and great fcas,
is INDUCED in, lasting from two 10 three
days according to the wealth Of the
family.
A wedding is always led by the band
followed by the bride and her female
relatives and friends. The groom and
his male relatives and friends bring NJ
the rear Of the procession. The con
trncting parties do not walk together
either going tn or coming from tn,
church. During and after the ceremon,
the church bells are gaily and loudl,
rung. Tho length Of time for which
they are rung depends upon the wealtl