The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1922-05-03

Prepared by the National Geographic
Society. Washington. d. CT
The decision Of the Igorxotes. one Of
he few Philippine tribes which may
now be called barbarous. no longer to
Eat dogs, emphasizes the march of CIV
tization in the out-Of-the-way portions
Of the Islands. and gives promise that
soon 1t will be difficult to find the
primitive customs that a decade ago
marked some Of the islands fnhabi-
tants
There are perhaps 100000 Of the
various IgorrotesEthose Of Benguet,
Lepanto. An1burayan and Bontoc Only
the latter have been head-hunters in
recent decades. The Igorrotes are q
robust and vigorous people. Both men
and women are, as q rule, short, heav-
lily built and strongly muscled, with
broad, spreading feet. Their hair il
perfectly straight. Many Of them have
large and beautiful eyes. AS a rule
the men wear their hair short, al.
though some individuals. especially In
LepantO. allow it to grow to a consid-
cradle length.
A few years ago the usual dress Of
the men was the clout, supplemented.
when the means Of the individual per-
mitted, with a cotton blanket. They
were, however. glad to wear flannel
cloth when obtainable. They also
took early and kindly to hats. Indeed.
many Of them wore hats of their own
make.
In view Of the scanty costume of the
mel. it was a surprising fact that the
women were ordinarily careful to Keep
their bodies fully covered. although
when working about the house. weed
ing rice fields. or washing clothes, they
frequently omitted upper garments.
Wealthy women. even in the early
days of American control. often wore
several superimposed skirts and near
~ all bound towels about their heads.
Neither sex has any very elaborate
ornaments. Some OF the men adorn
themselves with large bands of beads
or wire and with ear ornaments Of
brass or silver. They often tattoo the
backs of their hands.
In Benguet a number Of wealthy
women possess beaten plates Of thiA
gold. which they wear between their
lips and front teeth on special occa-
sions, thus completely closing their
mouths. Doubtless many American
men would rejoice II ornaments Of this
character were to become fashionable
In the United States. When they arc
worn the male sex monopolizes the
conversation!
Are industrious Aarieuiturista
The Igorrotes are now peaceful. in
dustrious agrieu,turists. They live
chiefly on yams. but raise some taro
and considerable quantities Of rice.
much If which Is grown on terraces.
The most wonderful Of these ter
races are constructed by the Bontce
IEorrotes. Irish potatoes and coffee.
introduced years ago BY the Span
lards, are raised for sale. Pigs and
chickens are kept in considerable num-
bers, but are, as a rule. eaten only on
ceremonial occasions. Dogs have
been highly appreciated article OF
diet and were brought in large num-
beers to Baguio from the lOwiands for
sale. On Sunday mornings the Baguio
dog market presented unique spec
tacle.
The Benguet lgorrotes raise good
horses in considerable numbers, and
both men and women ride with skill.
differing absolutely in this respect
from the lfugaos, Bontoc Igorrotes
and kalingas, who neither keep horses
nor know how TO use them.
In the vicinity of Kabayan the Ben
suet Iyorrotes build good houses.
which have tioors and sides Ut boards
and are even possessed Ut windows,
while near Baguio and Ceramics
number Of individuals have construct
al uo-to-date dwellings with galva'
n,rsi iron roofs, furnished with chairs,
tyb,es. beds and American stoves
The houses are usually grouped In
small villages, hut sometimes stand
s,pyly In very isolated places.
The Benyuet and Lepanto lgorrotes
have mined gold for centuries and are
the only native miners in the Philip
niu.s Ancient gold ornaments OF un-
sn,Nu origin are still to be found
among them.
like the other tribes Of northern Lu-
non they are n music-lovins people.
They sing very pleasantly and some
times use bamboo flutes to accompany
,oca, music. Their dance music is pro-
auc,I nv gansas and long-barreled
wooden drums with skin hesus. Inc
tome Of suea Q drum y varied oS nn-
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