[1] Eugpamolak Manobo.

[2] At Cibolan only brass objects are placed in this tambara.

[3] At Digos the mabalian does the planting and harvesting about the tambara, and the rice grown there is reserved as seed, for the next season.

[4] FATHER GISBERT relates that it is the custom to sacrifice a slave at this time, but this is denied by the datu consulted by the writer.  See letters of FATHER GISBERT in BLAIR and ROBERTSON, The Philippine Islands, Vol.  XLIII; pp. 233-4.

FIG. 29.  RICE PLANTER WITH BAMBOO CLAPPER ATTACHED TO TOP.

At nightfall of the day in which the planting has been completed a mabalian cooks fish and rice, which she carries to the parobanian.  Early next morning the family goes to the field and eats this offering which “belongs to Taragomi, so should be eaten at his house.”  From this time until harvest the fields must be guarded against birds and animals, but no further offerings take place unless unusual conditions should satisfy the owner that the spirits are demanding more gifts.  When harvest time comes the owner and a few of his friends will go to the field and pull a few of the fresh stalks, which they place in the pEmEg’ge and parobanian, meanwhile addressing the spirits, and the cutting of the rice begins.  This is done by women who, for this purpose, employ a small knife called gElat (Plate XXIXd).  The last grain to be cut is that about the parobanian.  The mabalian cooks a little of the new rice in the house and places a part of it in the various tambara and shrines; then, having placed a number of rice stalks on the floor, she offers them one by one to the spirits.  Not until she has finished can any of the prepared food be eaten.  The balance of the crop lies in the sun until dry, when it is tied in bundles and placed in the granary.

When all the harvesting is finished the people will make a festival known as Gatokbia-an, or pakakaro.  Ordinarily each family will have its own celebration, but at times all the inhabitants of a village will join in one great celebration.  The period of toil and doubt is past, the food supply is assured, and the people gather to give thanks.  No New England Thanksgiving dinner is prepared with greater thought, or less regard for expense, than that which is made ready at this time.  The finest of the rice, cocoanuts[sic], eggs, chickens, fish, shrimps, and many other edibles are prepared and placed in certain dishes which are dedicated to the spirits and are used only at this time.  These plates are arranged in a row in the center of the room and the mabalian gather around them.  Taking a wand of sandal wood in her hand one of the number waves it over the offerings, while she chants long prayers.  Beginning with the most powerful, she addresses the spirits one by one, thanking them for the care they have given to