ve their battle cry, then when the poles are
felled, all seize hold and carry them to the house of the _datu_. Here
they are decorated, first by being cut down for short distances, thus
leaving the lower part attached so that the shavings make a sort of
fringe, and then by attaching strips of palm or bamboo leaves and cloth
or palm leaf streamers. When complete these poles are known as
_patan'nan_ and are then the property of the spirits Mandanagan and
Darago. The longer one is for the male spirit, while the one of eight
sections is for his wife. Under no circumstances may anyone not a
_magani_ touch these poles. They are carried into the house and are
fastened near to the elevated platform at the end of the room where the
_datu_ or leading _magani_ stands ready to sacrifice a chicken. He
allows some of the blood from the offering to drip onto the poles, at
the same time begging the spirits not to let the people fight or quarrel
during the _GinEm_, "for blood is now being offered." In at least two
recent offerings the _datu_ urged the spirits to be content with this
offering of a fowl, since it was impossible for them to kill a man. At
this time, it is said, the skulls of enemies should be attached to the
_patan'nan_. As the leader finishes his offering, the men and boys
gather about the poles and yell lustily, then sit quietly down and amuse
themselves by chewing betel nut until the chicken, just killed, and the
other food has been prepared for eating. Old dishes are placed in the
center of the floor and in them food is offered for all the spirits, but
in the exact center of all is a large plate of white food for the
supreme being. A second large dish of food is placed in a _tambara_ at
the corner of the room as an offering to the warrior deities "so that
they will not eat anyone during the fiesta." Again the spirits are
besought to give them a good year, with abundant crops, health, and
success in war. Going to the _patan'nan_ each _magani_, beginning with
the _datu_ or his son, takes hold of the poles, and in a loud voice,
begins to confess all his warlike deeds. He relates how and when he
killed his victims, the number of sacrifices he has participated in, the
towns he has sacked and the slaves he has captured. In short, he tells
of all the manly deeds he has performed in order to gain the right to
wear his red suit and be known as _magani_. When all have confessed, the
men and boys eat the chicken which was sacrifice