Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-06-19
PEOPLES OF PHILIPPINES.

The Philippines have received per-
haDs as much attention as any ono
special exhibit. and this is due to the
fact that there in these islands not
merely one native people but a col
lection of different tribes of different
peoples as far apart in k:tbits and
mode of living as scattered bits of
one general locality. The distinguish
ing features or the Negrito. the Igo-
rot. the Moro and Bagobo tribes. the
Tagal and other Christian tribes, arc
ell represented by native objects, or
models and pictures.
The Negritos. one Of the least known
tribes. are small, black wooly-haired
natives inhabiting mountainous out
of-the-way places in several islands Of
the Philippines but mostly living in
the great island Of LuZon. Not much
was known about them until the ac-
QUESTION Of the Philippines by the
United States. Thew arc keen hunters
OF wild animals. Their only weapons
are bows and arrows Among them
is found primitive method OF fire
making by saving a knife OF bamboo
across another piece, the fire rising IN
the ground-off dust which falls be-
meath when the lower bamboo Is cut
through by the friction The Negritos
are cheerful. intelligent, peaceable,
and moral: they love music and one
OF their chief amuscments Is dancing;
they are born pantomimists. and like
children dramatic the events they
wish to relate. While physically the
Negrito seems inferior. in reality he is
strong. marvelouslS agile. and his
black wizened. dwartish frame is cap
able Of Incredible endurance.
Later arrivals on Luzon We're the
Trr Of No1 n wa n
cipally in the province OF Bontoc.
They live together in villages. ruled
over by clan counciJ. The population
OF each group is. as a rule, at enmitS
with all others and because tho lgo-
rot are the least modified or the Phil
ippine tribes they We're until recently
addicted to the practise OF head-hunt-
ing, which they held in common with
many Malayan groups of the East
Indies. The Igorot is OF cheerful dis
position, strong. a good worker. and
inclined to PEACEFUL pursuits, He Is OF
medium stature. has fine muscular de-
velopment. black ewes and halr.
smooth skin. and differs little from
the Dvak of Borneo. to whom he IS
related.
,rhe Moro and Bagobo tribes of Min
danao represent a step farther adj
yanced towards civilization. In the
arts the exhibit shows many specimens
of brass and iron worked tools and
ornaments. carved wood, shell-work,
basketry, etc 1t is said: THE Moro
tribes OF Nlindanao. in keeping with
the customs OF the Mohammedans,
clothe themselves, but wear no foot
coverings. Their costume consists for
tile men OF a short jacket. trousers
of formal cut. a sash. a cap, and in
some cases turban; and for the won-
en- the malay skirt, which reaches to
the knee. The Moro affects bright col
ors. and is fastidious as to the quality
of the cloth and the cut of his gar
ments.
The Tagalo and other Christian tribes
of the Philippines are by no means neg
lected, though their mode OF life more
closely resembles our own. They have
lived in contact with Spanish civiliza-
ton for several centuries. and have
acquired skill in many of the arts, not
ably that OF weaving.
Rounding off the series for the Philip
pines and with that for the whole eX
hibit. are shown two series of several
hundred photographs illustrating the
scenery, architecture, natives, family
life, occupations, and historical events
in the islands at the close of the war
with Spain.