Aged persons and those whose teeth have been so mutilated that they
cannot chew, make use of an outfit which includes a small mortar and
pestle (Plate XVIIb). Cutting open green betel nuts, the chewer wraps
the pieces in leaves and, after adding a liberal supply of lime, mashes
them in the mortar until all are reduced to a soft mass.
Lime is secured by placing snail shells in a fire, from which they are
taken while hot and dropped into cold water. They can then be crushed
into powder with the fingers.
Although the Bagobo raises a considerable quantity of tobacco he seldom,
if ever, smokes it unless the leaf is furnished him, already prepared,
by an outsider. Sometimes a small ball made of the green leaves is
placed between the teeth and upper lip, where it remains until all the
flavor has been extracted.
The outfits for betel nut and tobacco, aside from the brass boxes which
fasten at the side, are generally carried in the sacks worn on the backs
of the men or in the elaborate shoulder bags worn by the women. However,
a small waterproof box is frequently seen attached to a man's belt, and
in this he carries his betel nut, tobacco, and fire-making outfit.
The usual method of making fire is by the use of flint and steel, but
when this is not at hand a flame can be quickly obtained by rubbing two
pieces of bamboo rapidly together until the friction produces a spark.