In order to detect the evils, natural and supernatural, to which he may be exposed, he has recourse to dreams, divination, auguries, and omens, and, in more serious cases he calls upon his priests to ascertain by invocation, oblation, and sacrifice, the source of the evil that has befallen him, or of the danger that he fears.
THE HIERARCHY OF MANÓBO DIVINITIES, BENEFICENT AND MALIGNANT
There is no supreme being in the Manóbo pantheon, though there are two principal classes of beneficent divinities. Little is known of one of these classes beyond its supposed existence. The other class is made up of humanlike deities called diwáta that retain a fondness for this world and the good things thereof. They select mortals for their favorites, and through them keep themselves provided with such earthly delicacies as they may desire, even though they may have to plague their mortal votaries in order to secure them.
There is another category of spirits, of a slightly different character, whose desire is blood. These are the war divinities that select certain individuals for their champions and urge them on to deeds of valor, with the hope of procuring blood.
In contradistinction to the above divinities are others of a malignant or dangerous character. Chief among them are the búsau, black, hideous spirits that dwell in dark, desolate places, and who are for the most part implacable enemies of man. To counteract the machinations of these spirits, the beneficent dieties[sic] are called upon by Manóbo priests and feasted with song and dance and sacrifice. Pleased with these tokens of friendship, the good spirits pursue the evil ones, and even engage in battle with them.
The tagbánua are a class of local spirits that reign over the forest tracts and mountains. They are not of an unkindly nature as long as a certain amount of respect is paid them. Hence the practice of making offerings during hunting and other forest occupations.
Among the other inimical spirits are: The rice pilferer, Dágau; Anit, the thunderbolt spirit; numerous epidemic demons; the goddess of consanguineous love and marriage; the spirit of sexual excess; the wielder of the lightning and the manipulator of the winds and storms; the cloud spirit; and various others.
Agricultural and hunting operations are all performed under the auspices of gods and goddesses. Thus Hakiádan and Taphágan take care of the rice during sowing and harvest time, respectively; Tagamáling attends to other crops; Libtákan is the god of sunshine and good weather; and Sugújun is the god of the chase.
There are other gods: Mandáit, the birth deity; Ibú, the goddess of the afterworld; Makalídung, the founder of the world; Manduyápit, the ferryman; and Yúmud, the water wraith.