the good year they have enjoyed, and to secure their good will for the coming season.  A great epidemic or continued calamaties[sic] might also be signs that the spirits were in need of another offering, and this could take place at any time.  Upon the death of an adult it becomes the duty of the family to make a sacrifice, but, unless the deceased is of very great importance, they may wait until the yearly sacrifice[2] when they can purchase a share in it.  The one other occasion for which this offering is obligatory is the installation of a new datu in office.  For the yearly event the ruler should provide a decrepit slave, and then invite all those who have had death or trouble in the family and who wish a part in the sacrifice to help bear the expense of the ceremony.  Guests gather from near and far and for two or three days, feast, dance, and make merry in the house of the datu.  On the morning of the last day they accompany their leader to a great tree in the forest and there witness or take part in the sacrifice.  The victim is tied with his back to the tree, his arms stretched high above his head.  Meanwhile a little table or altar is constructed near by, and on it the principals place their offerings of betel nut, clothes, or weapons, and on top of all is a dish of white food for Eugpamolak Manobo.  When all is ready one of the magani begins a prayer, begging the spirits to look and see that the people are following the old custom, to give them success in battle, and to protect their homes from sickness and enemies.  The prayer being completed, the datu places his spear below and just in front of the right armpit; then all those who have purchased a share in the victim take hold of the weapon, and at a signal given by the datu, thrust it through the body.  As soon as it is withdrawn, the magani who has offered the greatest price for the privilege attempts to cut the body in two with one blow of his fighting knife.  If he fails in the attempt, another tries, and so on until someone succeeds.  The two portions are then released from the tree and cast into a shallow grave near by.  Before the body is covered with earth any person who wishes may cut off a portion of the flesh or hair and carry it to the grave of some relative whom he may have reason to believe is being troubled by evil spirits.  In such a case the evil spirit will be content to eat of the slave, and cease disturbing the other body.  Returning to the house of the datu, the people continue the dancing and merry-making throughout another night.

[1] This is the constellation Orion which appears early in December.

[2] We have already seen that this offering sometimes occurs during the GinEm ceremony.

The following accounts are extracts from the official correspondence forwarded by the Governor of Davao to the Governor of the Moro Province: 

“I have the honor to submit herewith a full report of an investigation made by myself and the Senior Inspector of Constabulary of Davao, regarding a human sacrifice made by the Bagobos at Talun near Digos on Dec. 9th, 1907.