Despite repeated assertions by previous writers that the Bagobo are fire-worshippers no evidence was obtained during our visit to support the statement.  The older people insisted that it was not a spirit and that no offerings were ever made to it.  One mabalian stated that fire was injurious to a woman in her periods and hence it was best for her not to cook at such times; she was also of the opinion that fire was of two kinds, good and bad, and hence might belong to both good and bad spirits.

A common method used by the spirits to communicate with mortals is through the call of the limokon[1] All the people know the meaning of its calls and all respect its warnings.  If a man is starting to buy or trade for an article and this bird gives its warning the sale is stopped.  Should the limokon call when a person is on the trail he at ones doubles his fist and thrusts it in the direction from which the warning comes.  If it becomes necessary to point backwards, it is a signal to return, or should the arm point directly in front it is certain that danger is there, and it is best to turn back and avoid it.  When it is not clear from whence the note came, the traveler looks toward the right side.  If he sees there strong, sturdy trees, he knows that all is well, but if they are cut or weaklings, he should use great care to avoid impending danger.  When questioned as to why one should look only to the right, an old man quickly replied:  “The right side belongs to you; the left side is bad and belongs to someone else.”

[1] See p. 63, note. [Transcriber’s note:  footnote above beginning, “A dove.”]

Sneezing is a bad omen, and should a person sneeze when about to undertake a journey, he knows that it is a warning of danger, and will delay until another time.

Certain charms, or actions, are of value either in warding off evil spirits, in causing trouble or death to an enemy, or in gaining an advantage over another in trading and in games.  One type of charm is a narrow cloth belt in which “medicines” are tied.  These medicines may be peculiarly shaped stones, bits of fungus growth, a tooth, shell, or similar object.  Such belts are known as pamadan, or lambos, and are worn soldier-fashion over one shoulder.  They are supposed to protect their owners in battle or to make it easy for them to get the best of other parties in a trade, A little dust gathered from the footprint of an enemy and placed in one of these belts will immediately cause the foe to become ill.

It is a simple matter to cause a person to become insane.  All that is needed is to secure a piece of his hair, or clothing, place it in a dish of water and stir in one direction for several hours.

Father GISBERT relates the following method of detecting theft: