Bagobo Village

Bagobo Village

Location	Philippine Exhibit
No. of Buildings	1
Owner	C.L. Crowner

The Bagobo Village in the Philippine Exhibit was a reservation for Bagobos, one of the largest subgroups of the Manobo peoples of the Philippines.

Before the Fair

The members of the Bagobo Village were detained several weeks at the St. Louis quarantine station on account of a case of smallpox which developed before their arrival. Their first manager, Carson Calhoun, died of the disease as did several of the natives.

Description

Forty Bagobos arrived and were given the site for a village on the Philippine Reservation. They constructed their houses in the style popular at the time.

The daily exercises in the village began at 9:30 am with the rendition of native music which was kept up throughout the day. Native dances were given every half hour, the first dance at 10 am and the last at 5pm. These dances consisted of the tribal by the men, the woman's tribal dance; a spear dance, and a bolo dance. Each performance was concluded by the introduction of Datta Bulan. An explanation of the meaning attached to the colors of the costumes worn by the different men of the tribe was given.

Upon the conclusion of the program of dances, the public was invited to inspect the native dwellings and furnishings, all of which were distinctive and characteristic of the Bagobos.

The various native traps manufactured and used by the people, consisting of a monkey trap, a chicken trap, a carabao trap, and a wild hog trap were operated and explained in detail to visitors.

The weaving of native cloths and fabrics was illustrated, explanations being given with respect to the materials, the dyes used, and the methods of securing the same.

At the time, the Bagobos were advertised as 'Head-hunters'.

After the Fair

The Bagobos left the Fair on Dec 7, 1904 on a train for Seattle, eventually to said back to the Philippines.

Gallery

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  Bulon, the Prince of the Bagobo

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  Bulon, the Prince of the Bagobo in Warrior gear

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  Ceremonial Dance

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  Dancing Girls

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  Dancing

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  Sword Duel

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  Singing Duet

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  Bagobo Family at home

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  Warrior in full dress

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  Bagobo girls

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  Bagobo displaying their hunting bags

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  A woman of the Bagobo

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  A man of the Bagobo

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  Musicians

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  Bagobo setting traps

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  The Bagobo Spear Dance

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  The Bagobo Spear Dance

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  Tribal Dance

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  Musicians at the Tribal Dance

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  Bagobo Warriors

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  Bagobo Warriors

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  Women doing bead work

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  A group of Bagobo women