The insecurity of life resulting from the conditions described has
caused the people to build their homes high in the branches of trees,
often so situated on the edge of cliffs that they can be approached only
from one direction (Plates LXXIII-LXXIV).
Two sorts of dwellings are commonly seen. Of these, the rudest rest on
the limbs of trees, and conform in size and shape to the nature of the
supporting branches. Some few houses of this kind have horizontal sides
and sloping roofs, but more frequently a roof which slopes directly from
a central ridge pole to the edges of the platform does away with the
necessity of side walls.
The second and more common type of house is shown in Plate LXXIV. Here
the top of the tree has been cut off some fifteen or twenty feet above
the ground leaving a stump to serve as a part of the foundation. Many
smaller poles help support the floor and then extend upward to form the
wall and roof stays. The upper flooring of beaten bark rests on
cross-beams which have been lashed to the uprights. Above it are
occasional horizontal poles, forming a skeleton to which the walls of
_nipa_ palm are fastened. In some houses two or three of the foundation
poles extend above the floor to such a height that they are used as the
supports for the ridge pole. In others true king posts rest on the
beams, which in turn are supported by the corner poles. From the ridge a
number of smaller rods extend to or project out over the side walls, and
on them rests the roofing of _nipa_ palm. A space of several inches
often intervenes between the roof and the side walls. The whole
structure is so firmly lashed together with rattan that it is capable of
withstanding severe storms, despite the fact that it gives and creaks
with every wind. During violent storms the house is further secured by
anchoring it with rattan lines to nearby trees.
Entrance to the dwelling is gained by means of bamboo or rattan ladders.
These are drawn up at night, and with all means of access thus removed
the inhabitants need have little fear of a surprise attack. If enemies
do attempt to dislodge them the defenders have the advantage of their
elevated position in the use of their weapons.
Generally, each house contains only one room which varies in size
according to the number of inhabitants. Frequently two or three families
are found living in one house, for it is the custom for the suitors, and
often for the husbands of the married daughters, to live with the girls'
people.
Near the door, or in one comer of the room, is a small box of earth in
which several stones are imbedded. This constitutes the hearth, about
which is found a miscellany of pots, jars, and other kitchen vessels.
The smoke finds its way out through a small opening at each end of the
roof, or through the narrow space under the eaves. There is no
recognized arrangement of the room. Utensils[127] are scattered
promiscuously about and when the inhabitants are ready to sleep they
occupy such parts of the floor as are free or can be most easily
cleared.
[127] These consist of baskets, rice mortars, and winnowers, weaving
outfits, bark dye vats, as well as traps and weapons, nearly all of
which are so similar to those already described for the Bagobo that they
do not call for special notice here.
The people of a community build their houses within a short distance of
one another, yet seldom so close together as to form a village. However,
village life is not entirely unknown, for in the vicinity of Cateel
Governor Bolton found six houses, partially surrounded by palisades,
perched on the top of a conical hill.
Lieutenant Youngblood gives the following description of the people and
dwellings seen by him near the upper waters of the Agusan river:
"The people seemed to be living in an atmosphere of fear as far as
intercourse with the world outside their crater-like valley was
concerned. They believed it was death to look upon the sea, of which
they had heard disjointed tales, but which none of them had ever seen.
They feared the coast people with a mortal fear, justified perhaps by
the experiences of occasional meetings in times gone by. They fear each
other to a certain extent, especially men who live further north of the
headwaters of the Agusan. This ever-present state of fear gives coloring
to their whole life. They take to the brush at the least unwonted sound.
They make their clearings on the steep mountainsides and in these build
two or three of their houses in strategic positions. In the very
construction of their dwellings the idea of security in case of attack
is predominant.
"The houses in this section are generally built in clearings on the
sawn-off trunk of some giant tree and placed from the ground some forty
or fifty feet. Numerous posts help support the structure, entrance to
which is gained by a notched pole firmly set in the ground and held in
place by tightly wound bejuca. Oftentimes this stair pole is bowed
outwards slightly, which gives it a peculiar appearance and requires a
considerable amount of skill in climbing. The front and only door to
these houses consists of a section of the floor composed of hewn plank,
hinged at one end. One end of this is raised by a bejuca rope during the
day, while at night it is let down forming a solid floor throughout the
house.
"The roof is of shingles made from mountain cane; the floor and sides of
hand-hewn logs and planks; the roof is at no place more than seven feet
from the floor and is blackened on the inside from smoke. The largest
house visited in this locality was that of Chief Leuanan, and this was
some twenty feet square. These houses consist of one room and are
inhabited by two or more families."