Page 325
An. 1686
Of the People of the Island.
one Religion, which is Mahometanism, and their customs and manner of living are alike. The Mindanao people more particularly so called, are the greatest Nation in the Island, and trading by Sea with other Nations, they are therefore the more civil. I shall say but little of the rest, being less known to me, but so much as hath come to my knowledge, take as follows. There are besides the Mindanayans, the Hilanoones, (as they call them) or the Mountaniers, the Sologues, and Alfoorees.
The Hilanoones live in the heart of the Country: They have little or no commerce by Sea, yet they have Proe's that row with 12 or 14 Oars apiece. They enjoy the benefit of the Gold Mines ; and with their Gold buy foreign Commodities of the Mindanao people. They have also plenty of Bees Wax, which they exchange for other Commodi- ties.
The Sologues inhabit the N. W. end of the Is- land. They are the least Nation of all ; they Trade to Manila in Proe's, and to some of the neighbouring Islands, but have no commerce with the Mindanao people.
The Alfoorees are the same with the Mindanayans, and were formerly under the subjection of the Sultan of Mindanao, but were divided between the Sultan's Children, and have of late had a Sultan of their own ; but having by Marriage contracted an alliance with the Sultan of Mindanao, this has occasioned that Prince to claim them again as his Subjects ; and he made War with them a little af- ter we went away, as I afterwards understood.
The Mindanayans properly so called, are men of mean statures ; small Limbs, streight bodies, and little Heads. Their Faces are oval, their Fore- heads flat, with black small Eyes, short low No- ses, pretty large Mouths ; their Lips thin and red, their Teeth black, yet very sound, their Hair black