[1] See Pls. I-IV. This manuscript is purely Magindanao in its style and is the oldest copy that I have seen. The main text is a little inferior to that of Datu Mastura’s copy, but its marginal Arabic quotations are more nearly correct and better written. The spelling and the grammar differ in many places, but the general sense of the text is mainly the same and does not warrant a separate translation.
[2] This copy is in the possession of The Ethnological Survey. It is not reproduced here because of the expense of half-tone work—the only satisfactory method of reproduction in this case.
[3] By a full uncle is meant a brother of one’s father or mother who had both the same father and the same mother as one’s own father or mother, as distinguished from a half uncle; so of a full aunt.
[4] These fines are stated in Mexican currency. The peso was worth about 50 cents, United States currency.
[5] The gajahilaw of siddip or piece of calico used is worth 1.50 pesos. It used to be the rule to demand the son of the abductor as bail for the return of the abducted free child or person.
[6] The words panglima and pandita are used in a plural sense in this paragraph.
[7] Abduction and elopement are regarded as crimes by the Sulus. The consent of the parents is always necessary for the marriage contract.
[8] Dower is a provision for a widow on the death of the husband or on separation by divorce. It is generally paid or delivered or guaranteed before marriage.
[9] Such slaves are generally killed by the authority against whom the offense was committed.