resorted thither,
they were not like our temples common to all, but, as it were,
certain private oratories belonging to the houses of their chiefs,
where those of their families, or their dependents, or those related
by marriage, met to make a feast for any special object. For this
purpose they made a bower in the house itself, which they call sibi,
dividing it into three naves and lengthening the fourth. They adorned
it with leaves and flowers on all sides, and many lighted lamps. In
the middle was placed another large lamp, with many ornaments. Such
was their simbahan or oratory. This feast was called pandot; it was
their most solemn one, and lasted four days. During that time they
played many musical instruments, and performed their adorations,
which is called nag aanito [350] in Tagalog. When the feast was ended
and all the adornment removed, the place had no longer the name of
church or temple, and remained a house like all the others.

437. Their sacrifices always redounded to the advantage of their
bodies; for they were reduced to all eating, drinking, and making
merry. In proportion to the motives, so were the ceremonies of their
sacrifices. If it were only for the entertainment of their chief, they
made a bower in front of his house, which they filled with hangings,
according to their Moorish custom; and there they all ate, drank,
danced, and sang. For this it was the usual practice to fetch a hog,
which the catalona or priestess ordered the most graceful girl to stab
with the knife, amid certain dances. That done, and the hog having
been cooked according to their custom it was divided among all the
company, as if it were a relic; and they ate it with great reverence
and respect, with the other food of their feast. They drank more
than they ate, as they always do. With this was ended the greatness
of their sacrifice, without God to whom to offer it, or altar therefor.

438. If the sacrifice was for the health of some sick person, the
priest of the sacrifice ordered a new house to be built at the expense
of the sick one. That done (which took but a very short time, as the
materials are close at hand, and many assemble for that purpose),
they removed the sick person to it, and arranged what was to be
sacrificed. That was sometimes a slave, but most generally some
hog or marine animal; its flesh they set before the sick person,
with other food according to their custom. The catalona performed her
usual dances,