There is some variance, in different parts of the Bagobo area, in the
beliefs concerning the spirits or souls of a man. In Cibolan each man
and woman is supposed to have eight spirits or _gimokod_, which dwell in
the head, the right and left hands and feet, and other parts not
specified. At death these _gimokod_ part, four from the right side of
the body, going up to a place called _palakalangit_, and four descending
to a region known as _karonaronawan_.These places differ in no respects
from the present home of the Bagobo, except that in the region above it
is always day, and all useful plants grow in abundance. In these places
the _gimokod_ are met by the spirits, Toglai and Tigyama, and by them
are assigned to their future homes. If a man has been a _datu_ on earth,
his spirits have like rank in the other life, but go to the same place
as those of common people. The _gimokod_ of evil men are punished by
being crowded into poor houses. These spirits may return to their old
home for short periods, and talk with the _gimokod_ of the living
through dreams, but they never return to dwell again on earth.
In the districts to the west of Cibolan the general belief is that there
are but two _gimokod_, one inhabiting the right side of the body, the
other the left. That of the right side is good, while all evil deeds and
inclinations come from the one dwelling on the left. It is a common
thing when a child is ill to attach a chain bracelet to its right arm
and to bid the good spirit not to depart, but to remain and restore the
child to health. In Malilla it is believed that after death the spirit
of the right side goes to a good place, while the one on the left
remains to wander about on earth as a _buso_,[42] but this latter belief
does not seem to be shared by the people of other districts.
[42] See p. 107.
Aside from the _gimokod_ the Bagobo believe that there exists a great
company of powerful spirits who make their homes in the sky above, in
the space beneath the world, or in the sea, in streams, cliffs,
mountains, or trees. The following is the list related by Datu
Tongkaling, a number of _mabalian_, and others supposed to have special
knowledge concerning these superior beings.
I. Eugpamolak Manobo, also called Manama and Kalayagan. The first and
greatest of the spirits, and the creator of all that is. His home is in
the sky from whence he can observe the doings of men. Gifts for him
should be white, and should be placed above and in the center of
offerings intended for other spirits. He may be addressed by the
_mabalian_, the _datu_, and wise old men.
II. Tolus ka balakat, "dweller in the _balakat_[43]." A male spirit who
loves the blood, but not the flesh of human beings, and one of the three
for whom the yearly sacrifice is made. Only the _magani_ may offer
petitions to him. He is not recognized by the people of Digos and
vicinity.
[43] A hanger in which offerings are placed.
III and IV. Mandarangan and his wife Darago. This couple look after the
fortunes of the warriors, and in return demand the yearly sacrifice of a
slave. They are supposed to dwell in the great fissure of Mt. Apo, from
which clouds of sulphur fumes are constantly rising. The intentions of
this pair are evil, and only the utmost care on the part of the _magani_
can prevent them from causing quarrels and dissentions[sic] among the
people, or even actually devouring some of them.
V. Taragomi. A male spirit who owns all food. He is the guardian of the
crops and it is for him that the shrine known as _parobanian_ is erected
in the center of the rice field.