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Jenks, Albert Ernest, 1869-1953

"The Bontoc Igorot"

This labor is unnecessary as soon as the camote
vines become large enough for gathering. During June and July these
same girls gather the camote vines for pig food. About August this
labor falls to the women.
Mention has also been made of the fact that during the latter half
of April and May the boys and girls of all ages from 6 or 7 years to
13 or 14 guard the palay sementeras against the birds from earliest
dawn till heavy twilight.
Little girls often help about the dwelling by paring camotes for the
forthcoming meal.
At all times the elder children, both boys and girls, are baby tenders
while their parents work.
Man is the sole hunter and warrior, and he alone fishes when traps
or snares are employed.
Only men go to the mountains to cut and bring home firewood and lumber
for building purposes; widowed women sometimes bring home dead fallen
wood found along the trails. Only men construct the various private and
public buildings. They alone build the stone dikes of the sementeras
and construct the irrigating ditches and dams; they transport to
the pueblo most of the harvested palay. They manufacture and vend
basi, and prepare the salted meats. They make all weapons, and all
implements and utensils for field and household labors.


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