The corpse is dressed in its best garments, beads and silver wire surround its neck, while above and about it are many valuable blankets, belts, clouts, woven skirts, and the like, which the spirit is to take with him to the ancestors in Maglawa, his future home.  A live chicken is placed behind the chair as an offering, but following the funeral it becomes the property of the friend, who removes the poles from the house.  The flesh of a small pig is also offered to the spirits, while the intestines are hung just outside the door, until the body is buried.  In the yard at the north-east corner of the house stands an inverted rice-mortar on which is a dish of basi,—­an offering to the spirit Al-lot, who in return prevents the people from becoming angry.

The needs of the spirit of the deceased are looked after by the members of the family.  It is their duty to place two small jars of liquor near to the corpse and to bring food to it, when the others are eating.

Up to this point only those spirits who attend the ceremony with friendly intent have been provided for, but the Tinguian realize that there are others who must be kept at a distance or at least be compelled to leave the body unharmed.  The first of these evil beings to be guarded against is Kadongayan, [91] who in former times used to attend each funeral and amuse himself by sliting the mouth of the corpse, so that it extended from ear to ear.  Through the friendly instruction of Kaboniyan it was learned that, if a live chicken, with its mouth split down to its throat, were fastened to the door of the house, its suffering would be noticed by the evil spirit, who, fearing similar treatment, would not attempt to enter the dwelling. [92]

The spirit Ibwa is also much feared. [93] Long ago he used to mingle with the people in human form, without harming them, but the thoughtless act of a mourner started him on the evil course he has since pursued.  In those times, it is said, the corpse was kept in the dwelling seven days; and, as the body decomposed, the liquid which came from it was caught in dishes, and was placed in the grave.  On the occasion referred to, he was handed a cup of the “lard” to drink.  He immediately acquired a great liking for this disgusting dish, and frequently even devoured the body as well.  Since he fears iron, it is possible to drive him away by using metal weapons.  It is also necessary to guard the grave against him and the spirit Selday, who demands blood or the corpse.

Akop is another evil spirit, who has a head, long slimy arms and legs, but no body.  He is always near the place of death, awaiting an opportunity to embrace the spouse of the deceased, and once let the living feel his cold embrace, death is sure to follow.  So a barricade of pillows is erected at one corner of the room, and behind this the wife is compelled to remain during the three days the body is kept in the house, while throughout the night she sleeps under