height 166.6 cm.; minimum 151.3 cm.; average 157.4 cm.
Cephalic indices--Maximum 89.7; minimum 76.3; average 81.5.
Length-height indices--Maximum 79.0; minimum 63.1, average 70.0.
These tables show that aside from being more short-headed, this tribe
differs little from the Bagobo, Bila-an, and Kulaman. Like the Kulaman,
they have high foreheads, often full and vaulted but quite as frequently
retreating from well-marked supra-orbital ridges. They are slightly more
prognathous than the Kulaman, and in the majority of cases the hair is
curled in locks. The teeth are usually mutilated and blackened, while
shaving of the eyebrows and tattooing of the left forearm and breast are
quite common.
The historians of the tribe tell us that all the Tagakaolo are descended
from Lakbang, MEngEdan, and his wife Bodek. In the beginning these three
persons lived on a small island in the sea. Two children, Linkanan and
Lampagan, were born to them and they in turn were parents of two
birds--the _kalau_ and _sabitan_. These birds flew away to other places
and returned with bits of soil which their parents patted and moulded
with their hands until they had formed the earth. Other children were
born and from them have come all the people who now inhabit the land.
Two powerful spirits, _Diwata_ and _TimanEm_, watched the formation of
the world, and when it was completed the latter spirit planted trees
upon it. He still takes considerable interest in the affairs of men and
each year sends the spirits Layag and Bangay,[93] as stars, to tell the
people when to prepare their land for the planting of crops.
[93] See page 154.
Other spirits, less friendly, have existed from the first time. Of these
one named Siling causes much trouble by confusing travelers through the
forest. Spirits of unborn children--_mantianak_[94]--wander through the
forest crying "ina-a-a" (mother), and often attack human beings. The
only way persons thus assailed can hope to escape is by running to a
stream and throwing water on the abdomens of their pursuers.
[94] Frequently called _busau_.
The powerful spirit Tama owns the deer and wild pig, and is usually kind
to hunters who offer him proper gifts. Should they fail in this duty he
may cause them to become lost or injured. Mandalangan (Mandangan) is
known as a powerful spirit who loves war and bloodshed, but he is so
closely interwoven in the minds of the people with TimanEm that it is
doubtful if he shoul
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