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"That is good if it is what you desire," said Algaba. Not long after Aponibolinayen commanded people to pound rice, and others to get betel-nuts which were covered with gold. So they truly made Sayang. Not long after when it became evening they made Libon. "The best for us to do is to invite Aponibalagen, and all the people of Kadalayapan and some other places," said Algaba.
When they arrived with the betel-nuts, "You betel-nuts come and oil yourselves and go to invite all our relatives, for we are making Sayang. Invite all the people except the old enemies," she said and when it became evening they made Libon Asibowan was anxious to chew betel-nut and she went to search for one in the corner of her house and she found an oiled nut which was covered with gold.
The greatest of all the ceremonies is the Sayang, the ability to celebrate which proclaims the family as one of wealth and importance. In most cases the right is hereditary, but, as already indicated, a person may gain the privilege by giving, in order, and through a term of years, all the minor ceremonies. In such circumstances Sayang follows Kalangan after a lapse of from four to eight years.
However, it usually follows the Sayang, if some member of the family is ill, and is not benefited by that ceremony, for "all the spirits are not present at each ceremony, and so it may be necessary to give others, until the one who caused the sickness is found."
Every tale emphasizes the importance of the Sayang ceremony and the spirit structure known as balaua. The ceremony is nowhere described in full, but the many details which are supplied show that it was almost identical with that of to-day. The same is true of the Dawak, which we find mentioned on three different occasions, and of the ceremony made to aid in locating lost or stolen articles.
On the first day the house is decorated as in Tangpap and Sayang; a bound pig is placed beside the door, and over it the mediums recite a diam and later summon several spirits. Liquor is served to the guests, who dance tadek or sing songs in praise of the family.
A few minutes later, two boys came into the terminal. One had a basketball in his hands. The other one stood a few feet behind him. He looked bored and fat. "Uri-tul nun taxi ul sayang hata?" He knew that again there would be no taxi. Again they would be walking. Still it was his way of saying something. The one with the basketball who could figure it out shook his head.
Upon his arrival home a great celebration is held; people dance, and skulls are placed around the town. Aponitolau and his wife decide to celebrate Sayang, but he goes first to take the head of old man Ta-odan. He uses magic and arrives at once where foe lives. They fight and Ta-odan is beheaded. While Aponitolau is gone, an Ilocano comes to town and tries to visit his wife.
Not long after, "Ala, you betel-nuts which are covered with gold come here and oil yourselves, and go and invite all the people to come and attend our Sayang." So the betel-nuts oiled themselves and they went to invite the people in the different towns. Not long after they went. One of the betel-nuts went to Kadalayapan, and one went where Kanag's sweetheart lived.
Bátog: An unhusked coconut, resting on three bamboo sticks, goes by this name. It always appears in the Sayang ceremony, close to the Balag, but its use and meaning are not clear. Idasan: A seat or bench which stands near the house-ladder during the Sayang. A roof of cogon grass protects ten bundles of unthreshed rice, which lie on it. This rice is later used as seed.
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