Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1923-02-28
Bangurd, Abba, P. l.,
Jan. /, 1923.

This is the last day Of the most
eventful Christmas vacation | have
ever spent.
Downstream on a Bamboo Raft.
The first day we went to Vigan, 80
miles from here We made the trip
down the Abba river by bamboo raft.
This raft is made by tieing bamboOs
together. 1t is about six feet wide and
"a feet long, with a little coop cover
ing in the center to keep off the sun.
Four men either poled, rowed, or
regulated a sail when the wind was
right. The sport of the trip was
shooting the many rapids that are IN
the river. The first one was more
than / expected as the waves soaked
me to the waist, but the tropical sun
had me dry before we reached Vigan.
We attended the Northern Luzon
athletic meet there for four days.
Athletics here are not to be compared
with those in the States, as the rules
here are so lenient. / did not enjoy
the meet, as it was too much of a
change in climate there; we have been
so cool here in the mountains. How
ever l did enjoy being with American
women again, as l had seen only one
during the seven months | had been
here.
A Trip Over Mountain Trails.
We brought two American women
teachers back from Vigan with us to
lake a trip in the mountains with us.
We think Elmer quite courageous to
begin a trip over poor mountain trails
and across bad rivers with three
women and a guide. Our trip of seven
days took US up among wild carabaOs,
deer, wild hogs, etc. We did no hunt
ing, because, for good reasons, no fire
arms are allowed us. AS these noun
tain trails follow the river bed as
much as possible, we had to cross the
river about 20 times. We were able
to get RATS the first few times. These
RATS are about two feet wide and II
feet long 1t surely is a sensation to
cross a river on one Of thes and swim
your horses. | though for a time it
would be more than a sensation when
one of the horses got under the raft,
but the water was about 20 feet deep;
so we didn't get spilled. Farther up
the river We could secure no RATS, so
had to ford just above the rapids, the
shalloWest part. The deepest ford
came up to the saddles. At the end Of
the trip we were quite expert riding
with our feet resting on our horses
neck, especially SO, as some of the
fOrds were about 100 yards wide. One
of these places was most exciting, as
just above the ford is famous swim
ming hole for alligatOrs. We could
see their tracks in the sand also even
saw one egg. After we had crossed,
the guide told us that an alligator had
killed a Filipino there a short time
ago. 1t was a solemn occasion when
we crossed that ford again coming
home, and while we were crossing, the
guide saw big fellow flop up the
stream not far from us. However, he
did not give us the information until
we were high and dry on good old
terra nrma.
Natives Extend Hospitality.
We had taken food and blankets
with Us intending to camp but we no
sooner arrived at a barriO Qittle
town. than the teacher of the place
would be informed of our presence
and come to make things comfortable
for us. In every case the presidential
(city hall) was thrown open to us,
and in no time many school boys were
at our service bringing grass for our
horses, beds, dishes, table cloth, nap
kins, towels, white hand woven bed
spreads, in fact everything that we
could wish for. The domestic science
girls were called forth to cook for us,
bringing chickens, eggs, rice, fruit,
etc, with, them. l don't think Roose-
Welt in Africa had anything on us.
never have witnessed such hospitality
as was shown us. In many cases we
were using all the dishes, spoons, and
wash pans that the town could pro-
duce, and did not have enough then,
but they were giving us all they had.
We have the utmost respect for these
people who have not had chance in
this world.
At one of the place two policemen
were detailed to guard us for the
night, and at another school boys
were assigned the same duty.
Natives Are Pagans.
With few exceptions these mountain
tribes are non-Christians, and in the
first stages of civilization. Their re-
Iigious customs are interesting They
believe in a god similar to ours. and
minor gods, who live in stones, trees,
etc. Wen send pictures of their
stone gods. In the homes we visited
we saw jars of rice and wassi Can al
coholic drink hanging from the cell
ing to feed the evil spirits; so they
would be appeased and do no harm.
We saw a spear with a brilliant &c"
string around it standing by a house,
signifying that some member of the
family was sick. 1t is customary for
those people to bury their dead under
their houses. We visited such
grave. On top Of it were jars of
water, wassi. wine and cocoanut-sheIl
dishes for the use of the departed
spirit. A string of beads was also
there to tell that the person was
Tinguian; also the point of a pillow
share to signify that he was a farmer
Every night we were entertained
with native singing and dancing. I
have never seen anything to equal the
grace to the Igorotte dancing Their
music was a weird beating on three
copper tom-toms and a homemade
drum. They also have a reed instru-
which ic nj