PREFACE.

The material presented in this paper was obtained, for the most part,
during a stay of seven months among the tribes of Davao District in
Southern Mindanao of the Philippine Islands. Previous to this I had
spent a like period studying the Bukidnon, of the North-Central part of
the Island, and while thus engaged, had penetrated to within about fifty
miles of the Gulf of Davao. In order to trace migrations, relationships,
and trade routes, it was determined to continue the work from the Gulf
coast toward the interior. In pursuance of this plan I went to Davao in
July, nineteen hundred and ten.

All information to be secured from publications, settlers, or natives
was to the effect that there were at least fourteen distinct tribes to
be met with in the Gulf region. The preliminary reconnaissance of the
field made it plain that the earlier classifications were greatly at
fault. Several divisions recognized as tribes were found to be only
dialect groups, while others differing in no essential respects from one
another secured names from the districts in which they resided. It was
also found that in recent years there had been a considerable movement
of the hill people toward the coast, and that in some places they had
penetrated and established themselves in the territory formerly held by
other tribes.

The capture of slaves, intermarriage, and trade between the groups have
been powerful influences in obliterating tribal lines, thus adding
further confusion to the classification of the people.

The field offered so much of interest that I determined to make detailed