The Manóbos of Mindanáo

House building, rice growing, music, customary law, and religious observance fill John M. Garvan's ethnographic account of communities in eastern Mindanáo. Its chapters move from geographical distribution and physical description to clothing, food, tools, crafts, family life, and political organization. The breadth of the contents makes everyday arrangements as much a part of the study as ceremonies and relations between communities.

The funeral passage shows Garvan combining firsthand observation with explanations gathered through inquiries in other settlements. Relatives address the deceased, priests accompany the burial party, and offerings of betel nut mark the farewell. A roof over the grave and a fire kept burning receive attention alongside beliefs about spirits and misfortune. Readers interested in Philippine cultural history can follow these detailed descriptions while considering the period classifications used in the account.