Farming and Gathering

Swidden agriculture (the cutting back and burning of existing vegetation to produce temporary farming plots) with supplementary hunting and fishing and the trade of forest products formed the basis of their economy. Granaries were built similar to the houses but were separated from them. Bundles of rice hung from the rafter to be dried by the fire in the granary. Each of the four posts had a wheel type piece of wood on it near the top to prevent rats and mice from gaining entry and eating the stored grain. Along with rice, sweet potatoes or camote continue to be a major crop; these are grown on hillside swiddens. Other crops grown are corn, taro, yams, cowpeas, lima beans, okra, legumes, sugarcane, and tobacco. Tree crops include coffee, jackfruit, grapefruit, rattan, citrus, areca, coconut, banana, guava, and cacao. Domesticated animals are kept close to the house at night to protect them from predators. Animals that were raised included pigs, water buffalo, dogs, cats, and chickens. They ate pigs and dogs about once a year, and the chicken more often. Water buffalo were not ordinarily eaten; they were rented to lowlanders.