[35] What followed after is what tribesmen would call the Lang-Atik.
It is the removal of a deceased's pinky finger for another burial rite which tribesmen in Saon practices. Only those in the Higher social class will have this kind of treatment.
If the Alipins were the lowest, then the Timawas are the highest among the people lorded by the Datu. This Timawas is primarily composed of warriors and merchants, they all give tribute to the Datu in any kind, hence when they die... they are given more importance.
Crafters and woodworkers began organizing their tools, Alipins busily carried crates or baskets full of wood and other scrap metals or golden ore.
After the burial ceremony rite, the workers hired by Wagu Atubang crafts the boats and coffins, they shall be solely paid by him as a form of atonement.
Tribesmen believed that the coffin should be built to fit the exact measurements of the deceased or another family member could die. While the boat should be a light wooden boat coated with gold... this boat is where the dead's treasures shall be placed along with its coffin.
Well, Ophirians especially in the second largest island: Danao, had little regard for gold. They are practically swimming in gold. Everywhere you go, be it in normal residents, the Dayang's or the Saman's residence, they were all covered in Gold.
So in their own opinion, "Why not also paint the boat in gold? Won't the God of Death be pleased to see a golden boat?" Another belief they had is that by doing so shall illuminate their path when they cross the river between life and death.
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For anyone who came from the modern world, what followed next can be considered an act of desecration towards the dead, but for this tribesmen, it was the highest honor to give to anyone who has died.
[36] All the deceased warriors had their pinky finger cut out from their hands and were placed in an earthen jar which they called Managul Jars.
Argus being a lowly Alipin was spared.
A parade of Alipins, each holding the Managul jars in their hands quietly lined up at the center of the Tribal square. The pinky fingers that were cut off were placed inside of these jars which shall be buried later...
Then one by one, the corpses were placed inside of their respective coffins. Wails of cry came about as the Shamans under the lead of the Babaylan sang a song: The Hymn of Farewell
In a sorrowful tone, the whole place heard the lyrics of the song...
"Such is Life, Again...
You took your time to understand.
You had a long journey."
And the high-pitched tone was delivered, the other Shamans stood together holding their hands as they raised it to the air.
"It's been a mystery,
until you reached the end."
"But you will be remembered!
You should go..."
Then the bystanders who knew the lyrics also sang the song. And all their voices danced in sync.
"Take a rest!
Smile in God's embrace,
Play like that once little children you are."
Then there was silence...
As the Babaylan ended the song.
"Let them take you home.
This is our farewell to you.
Again, such is life."
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When the Hymn of Farewell has ended, It was time to put all the treasures of the dead in their respective boats. They were group together according to ranks and social status.
This took a longer time than what they had expected, who knew that one of the tribesmen who died had a lot of treasures.
"Hey! Divide that properly! Some of his treasures shall go as a tribute for the Datu and some of it shall be given to his family! Do not attempt to steal anything! Be ashamed of the deceased! You lowly Alipins!" Wearing the tribe's mourning garments, this elder warned the four Alipins who are busily loading the treasures towards the boat.
When they finished putting all the treasures towards the boat, it was almost noon and they have to eat a meal. They all quietly proceeded towards the Tribal Square.
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When they came to the Tribal Square, people have already begun arranging large tables at the square. Alipins are seen carrying a freshly washed Banana leaves and placing it above the tables.
Then the Servants and Sulgos came together while holding trays of various meals and food.
The scent of the food emanated throughout the whole Tribal Square, people whiffed at the scent coming from it and felt their stomachs grumbling.
And at the end of the long line of Servants and Sulgos, the Alipins carrying giant wooden bowls which contained a heap of rice is seen carefully placing it towards the table.
It didn't take a long while before the long tables were filled with food.
Rabbit Stew, Roasted Boar, and some vegetable salads were placed. And of course! Fruits, different kinds of fruits laid glistening at the table!
The Warriors tossed and chugged their wines. In the background, Servants batted the drums and gongs.
Afterward, another Burial rite was performed...
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"Gariyo! Since you are probably the poorest among us. I will let you eat first."
"Magta, Why not let Duyi eat first? His luck always affects us perhaps if this rite could amplify his luck we might benefit more. What do you say?"
"Fine, fine. Let Duyi eat first..."
At the center of the long table, surrounded by other warriors, the three young warriors busily debated who should take the first dip in the heap of rice.
[37] There was this custom passed down from their ancestors which is the next step from Lang-Atik that they all call, Lang-Dakit where the cut pinky finger is placed at the heap of rice.
It was superstitiously believed that whoever could take the finger shall have a prosperous wealth coming on their way. They shall be gifted by the deceased's spirit with an abundance of health and luck.
However, you should never touch the nails first! Or bad luck and curse shall befall towards your family or directly to the person who took the first dip.
In observance of this tradition, the warrior who had the most hunt shall have the right to take the first dip. But in the case of these three warriors, they were all the candidates for this position.
Duyi stared at Gariyo before placing his hands towards the heap of rice and when Gariyo only nodded in approval, uttering nothing else, that's when he decided to do the Lang-Dakit.
An Alipin came close, in her hands was the empty Coconut Husk containing a Bahalina Wine, filled to the brim. Duyi took the Wine while closing his eyes as he chugged all the wine in one go.
Gulping with his red cheeks, he immediately placed his hands towards the heap of rice... And after a brief moment, he exclaimed in a happy tone.
"I Got it! I had the finger! I will become wealthier! Hehe" His boisterous laugh echoed as his big belly bounced.
That signaled the start of the Budol fight. Tribesmen began flocking the long table and without regard for any etiquette or manners, they ravenously ate the food that was prepared.
But what came after this sumptuous and voracious meal is a tale which shall always be remembered...