The Manóbos of Mindanáo / Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume XXIII, First Memoir

by John M. Garvan

ABORTION

Infanticide is never practiced; on the contrary, every means, natural, magic, and religious, are taken to safeguard the life of the babe. Abortion, however, occurs.

ARTIFICIAL ABORTION

Artifical[sic] abortion is unknown among the pagan Manóbos, but the Christianized members of the tribe who have come under the influence of culture of a different stamp, have acquired a knowledge of its practice for the purpose of concealing their condition and of thereby avoiding subsequent shame and trouble. For this purpose various vegetable products are used, such as the sap of the red dyewood,⁶ the core of a wild palm,⁷ the sap of black dyewood,⁸ and the juice of mint.⁹ I was told that these are very effective and, as a rule, not attended with evil consequences to the health of the woman.

⁶Si-ká-lig.

⁷Called báñg-a.

⁸Tá-gum.

⁹La-bwé-na.