Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-05-03

ktEMr ANe MeaA huN UN IftsSluN Ahr
long barrel with the bare arm. The
sounds produced by these instruments
are supplemented by striking a bit OF
steel upon a stone. When a dance Is
In progress a man with the steel and
stone and two gansa players march
about with the dancers. while the
drum players. usually two In number,
squat close by.
A number of schools have been es-
tablished for these people. Girls are
taught 20 weave good cloth. Young
men have been educated sufficiently to
serve successfully as secretaries and
treasurers 81 their towns.
The daily wage has risen steadily
since the American occupation and
opportunity to work can practically al
ways be had by those who wish for IL.
The people Of this tribe have pros
pered under American rule and today
live In better houses. are better fed,
wear better clothes and enjoy better
health than ever before.
The Head-Eunting Tribe.
The Bontoc Igorrotes are a strong,
warlike. head-hunting tribe number
ing approximately 10000. They are
almost limited to the very mountain
Gus region constituting the subprOv-
ince II Bontoc. but a very few are TO
be found In the subprovince Of Kalin-
ga. For the most part their territory
Is separated from that of neighboring
4 18th. -. .....sss.a.Fs. F.mrrfawa
They are straight-haired people.
probably 81 Malayan origin. Both men
and women are splendidly developed
and are considered by many observers
| physically superior % any other Phil
ippine tribe except the Kalingas.
While on the average they are more
muscular than the latter people, they
are az the same time more heavily. not
TO say clumsily. built. Both men and
women were uncleanly. bur there Is a
noticeable Improvement In this regard.
The dress IL the men Is usually a
clout. although this Is sometimes re-
placed by mere apron. Blankets are
comparatively rare. The men have long
I hair. hanged across the forehead and
rolled into a knot behind. where Il Is
Z confined by a iaunty. more OF less
I highly ornamented. rattan cap. Many
/ 81 them make huge holes I'm the lobes
/ ~ their ears. into which they thrust
wooden plugs bamboo rings and vari-
Gus other objects which they consider
/ ornamental. Occasional individuals
wear huge metal pendants in their
ears.
The women use ear ornaments sim
/ Tar % those ~ the men. and in addi-
/ ton wear in their hair and about their
necks more or less elaborate strings
~ beads. boar tusks. dog teeth. and
ornamental seeds.
When there was occasion 10 swim
or ford streams or 10 work I'm the
water In rice fields. both men and
women discarded their garments with
out any apparent hesitation. although
women who had occasion 10 work long
/ en- the fields usually. hut by no means
I always. extemporiZed skirts Of leaves.
The typical house Of the Bontoc
Igorrote has a grass roof which over
/ hangs, but does not meet. low board
sides There Is n stOrerOom In the
roof. The ground space is divided
between a sleeplng-box at the end OPP
/ poSite the entrance. a stall IN which
food Is prepared. another stall In
which it Is cooked. and a larger space
utilized as may be convenient.
The houses are grouped in large
villages. which are often readily ac-
ceSsible. The people Of this tribe de-
pended on large numbers 81 fighting
men for protection rather than on In
accessibility.
The Bontoc Igorrotes were once In
veterate head-hunters. and were for
merly constantly az war not only with
neighboring tribes. but among them
selves. Fortunately. hcad-hunting has
now ceased throughout their territory.
They are very fond OF music and
dancing. In which they indulge on all
possible occasions. The only instru-
ments used are gsnsas. one OF which
Is carried and played by each dancer
throughout the performance.
The Bontoc Igorrotes. like the Ifu-
l GAGS and the Benguet Igorrotes. are
/ spirit worshipers. Their religious prac-
tices consist chiefly I'm efforts TO pro-
/ pltlate the antics. or spirits Of the
dead. who are believed 10 have power
for good and evil.
They are homogeneous. but have a
curious system ~ trial marriage. When
they marry they usually continue 10
live Together 10 a ripe old age. IA
voree Is. however. permitted under
certain circumStasce<