These people live in the very centre of Mindanao on the high peaks of the cordillera. If a straight line be drawn on the map from Nasipit, on the Bay of Butuan, to Glan, on the Gulf of Sarangani, it will intersect their habitat which may extend from about 7° 30′ to 8° N. lat. I can learn nothing about their manners and customs. They are reputed to be ferocious.
The Chinese in Mindanao.
The Chinese in Mindanao are almost entirely settled in the coast towns, and are occupied in trade. They do not engage in agriculture, but keep stores and sell to the civilised natives and to the hill-men.
They understand that they need protection, and are equally ready to make a present to the judge, to subscribe for a gilded altar for the church, or to render service to the governor, in order to be on good terms with the court, the priest, and the military.
Very few Chinese women come over, therefore the men have native wives or concubines, and are begetting Chinese half-castes on an extensive scale.
They are not averse to a little slave-dealing, and will casually buy a boy or girl from slave-hunters, or will order such a slave as they require from the slave-hunters, who then proceed to execute the order, which probably involves the sacrifice of several lives.
Thus they will order a smart boy, or a pretty girl, of fifteen or sixteen, and so forth.
Father Barrado, writing from Cotta-Bato, June 3rd, 1890, relates that a boy of eight years of age was purchased by a Chinaman for thirty dollars.
As soon as his master had brought him to the house, he fastened the door, and being assisted by four other Chinamen, tied the boy’s hands and feet, and gagged him.