The houses found in the coast villages line well marked streets and
differ in few respects from those built by the Christianized natives
throughout the Islands. Even in the more isolated districts the effect
of this outside influence is marked. However, we can state with
confidence that village life is a new idea to the Bagobo. He has, from
time immemorial, built his home near to his fields, and there he and his
family reside, except during festivals or when extreme danger threatens.
At such times all go to the house of the local ruler and there unite in
the festivities or the common defense.
The smaller dwellings have but one room, the floor of which is raised
several feet above the ground and supported by many piles. A part of the
latter extend five of[sic] six feet above the floor and form supports
for the side and cross-beams. From the center of the room lighter poles
project eight or ten feet above the cross-beams and form the main
supports for the ridge timber. From beams at the end and sides of the
room similar pieces run to this central ridge; below this they are
joined together, at intervals, by means of horizontal poles and
cross-beams. To this framework are lashed strips of _palma brava_,
supports for a covering of closely laid _runo_, on which rests the final
topping of flattened bamboo. The ridge pole is always at a sufficient
height above the floor to give the roof a steep peak, and is of such
length that, at the top, the side roof overhangs the ends. The roof
generally rises in two pitches and always extends past the sides of the
room.
In house building, the roof, which is made first, is raised to the
desired height, thus serving as a shelter for the workers until the
structure is complete (Plate XIII). Resting on the cross-beams, just
below the rafters, a number of loose boards are laid to form a sort of
attic or storage room where all unused articles, and odds and ends are
allowed to accumulate.
The sides of the room, which are of flattened bamboo, are about six feet
in height, and extend only to within a foot of the roof. In the walls
small peep holes are cut so that the inhabitants can look outside
without being seen (Plate XIV).
The flooring, which is generally made of strips of _palma brava_, is in
two levels, forming a narrow elevated platform at one end of the room on
which a part of the family sleep.
The furniture of this house is very scanty. Near to the door is the
"stove" (Fig. 8)--a bed of ashes in which three stones are sunk to form a
support for the pots and jars and nearby stand a few native jars and
sections of bamboo filled with water. On a hanger above the fire may be
found articles of food, seeds, and the like, which need protection from
flies and insects. Against the wall is a bamboo rack (Fig. 9), filled
with Chinese plates, or half cocoanut shells which serve as dishes. Near
to the stove is a rice mortar standing on its own wooden pedestal which
reaches to the ground (Fig. 10).