A small child is supported at the mother's hip by means of a broad sash,
which passes over the right shoulder and under the left arm. When it is
able to walk the scarf is discarded, and it sits astride the mother's
hip, where it is held in place by her left arm. Older children and the
men devote considerable time to the newcomers, but at a very early age
the youngsters begin to run about as wild and carefree as only little
savages can.
The Bagobo is a keen trader and many small articles of all kinds reach,
and pass from him through trade; and to make this barter possible he
intentionally produces an excess of certain things. Chief of these is
hemp, which he now carries to the coast traders, and for which he
receives trade cloth, iron pots, copper gongs, bells, and the beads
which he prizes so highly. In exchange for the betel boxes, bells, and
knife guards, which come from his forge, he receives shell disks,
certain articles of dress, cooking pots, and various other household
articles as well as salt and some animals. The knives made by him are in
great demand and often travel far inland. While among the Bukidnon of
the North-Central part of the Island the writer secured one blade and
guard of undoubted Bagobo workmanship. In early days, Chinese and Moro
traders brought gongs, jars, plates, and other crockery, as well as many
other articles now among the prized heirlooms of wealthy men or
occupying an important place in the ceremonial life of the tribe.
Through these same channels came the Borneo ivory of which the ear plugs
are made, while other objects from more distant regions were
occasionally brought in. Two examples of this trade are now in the
collections of the Field Museum of Natural History. One is a jacket made
from Javanese cloth; the second a belt buckle which apparently
originated in Perak.
Local feuds, as well as the desire of individuals to be known as
_magani_, have always made it unsafe for small numbers of traders to
venture to any great distance from home, and this has been a great
hindrance to trade. However, large parties, even from other tribes,
sometimes go to a village for purposes of trade, having previously
notified the inhabitants of their intentions. While in Malilla the
writer met with a party of thirty Bila-an traders who lived three days'
march to the east. The influence of capture, intermarriage, and looting,
in carrying the artifacts of one tribe into the territory of another has
previously been mentioned.