The Bontoc Igorot by Albert Ernest Jenks
page 106 of 483 (21%)
page 106 of 483 (21%)
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and with a joke and a laugh the pair of horns was placed facing it
at the head. Instantly thirty-two men sprang on the piles of fresh, loose dirt, and with their hands and the half dozen digging sticks filled and covered the grave in the shortest possible time, probably not over one minute and a half. And away they hurried, most of them at a dogtrot, to wash themselves in the river. From the instant the corpse was in the coffin until the grave was filled all things were done in the greatest haste, because cawing crows must not fly over, dogs must not bark, snakes or rats must not cross the trail -- if they should, some dire evil would follow. Shortly after the burial a ceremony, called "kap-i-yan si na-tu'," is performed by the relatives in the dwelling wherein the corpse sat. It is said to be the last ceremony given for the dead. Food is eaten and the one in charge addresses the anito of the dead man as follows: We have fixed all things right and well for you. When there was no rice or chicken for food, we got them for you -- as was the custom of our fathers -- so you will not come to make us sick. If another anito seeks to harm us, you will protect us. When we make a feast and ask you to come to it, we want you to do so; but if another anito kills all your relatives, there will be no more houses for you to enter for feasts. This last argument is considered to be a very important one, as all Igorot are fond of feasting, and it is assumed that the anito has the same desire. The night following the burial all relatives stay at the house lately occupied by the corpse. |
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