Dress

The dress consists of pantaloons narrow at the bottom and wide at the top and a tight shirt. The women dress like the men except that they cover themselves with a loosely sewed mantle (jábul) which covers them from top to toe and is fastened under the armpit thus forming folds.

They cut their hair to a little fringe on the forehead, and shave themselves. Their teeth are dyed black in order to distinguish them from the Christians.

The Sámal Moros dress in pantaloons that are tight from top to bottom.

The Moro will not eat flesh,[16] unless the imam sacrifices the animal, and performs the Sumbálig.

The Moros are dirty, lazy, fickle, importunate, stingy in giving, and fond of conversation and amusements.

They fight without giving quarter, and in the attack, advance, stop, give ground, leap, creep among the cógon,[17] cover themselves with their shields, etc.

In their wars against the Spaniards or Christians, they build forts defended by ditches, and invested with thick earthen walls. They are fierce and bold, and when dripping with blood they fight until death on the field of battle, impelled by their hatred toward the Christian or Spaniard.

Below are some verses of a song of theirs which was dictated to me by a Moro chief, so that your Reverence may better see the hatred with which they fight.[18]

Pagcalanta acó isá Saliban Sáuan da sa Sábab aun súcut dasa. Tumulak acó salasa. Maluag can sanchata Bacucús in sacay in sa Bisan uay bantata Marayao pañab quita. Yari Saliban Sauan Mallo pa Zamboangan Bisan uay dangat Midda pa subangan. Castila piañgayu Simacat na tinuyo Catacus niangayu Ynacujan sa nag buno. Aco catcal magbuno na Ampa lasa aun co na Bauk aco dumungu na Sagui na Bismil-lá. Jida manung lasap Magcalis samsil dasak Minsan co dugu nasak Limagut parrán lisak. Un canto entonaré Que es del Saliban Sauan Para tener suerte Al embarcarme el mártes. Busca las lantacas Las armas en la embarcacion Y aunque no haya enemigos Bueno es èstar prevenidos. Este Saliban Sauan Vá para Zamboanga Aunque no haya comercio Volverá pronto. Al castila pidió Subió con traicion Sus armas pidió Se las cogió con la muerte. Yo siempre pelearé Y hasta gusto tendré si caigo Arrostraré el peligro En nombre de Dios. Tengo gusto en hablar Esgrimiré con valor el cris afilado Y aunque mi sangre corra por el suelo Tajearé al oir tocar.