Kitab Article VII Structure of Governance and Composition

A. Glal – Tribal Titles [This article doesn’t have a Section B.—Blogger]

Section 1. Glal (Tribal Title)
(1) Ulu-Ulu or Pig-ulukan Datu–He is the highest chief, respected, recognized by the whole tribe and good in resolving various problems in the community of Dulangan Manobos.
(2) Ngipen Ulu–In the absence of the Ulu-ulu or Pig-ulukan Datu, he leads in resolving matters or problems along with the datu of the locality.
(3) Datu–He has the power and capability to find solutions to problems. He is also respected and recognized as a lawyer to uphold the law by implementing the policies of the tribe.
(4) Lukes–Adviser to the whole community
(5) Tegepalut–He is the secretary of the leaders of the community if there are problems [I can’t understand the remaining phrase.]
(6) Booy Labi–This is a woman that is a princess and respected. She also knows how to resolve problems in the community.
(7) Ulu-Ulu Sedoy Bata–The leader of the youth of the tribe
(8) Tegebeyahan–Keeper of the wealth of the tribe
(9) Tegetepeng–This person keeps track of the properties of the Ulu-Ulu or Pig-ulukan Datu of the tribe or of the datu of the community.
(10) Agubalang or Alek–Protector of the ancestral domain or territory to ward off bad elements
(11) Sabandal–Servant of the Pig-ulukan, messenger of datus and members of the community
(12) Bleyan–Healer of the tribe given power to communicate with God through dreams

Section 2. Installation of Leaders
(1) The Ulu-Ulu or Pig-ulukan Datu should be chosen by the people of the community themselves based on his capability to give good advice to the youth, women and even to other people.
(2) The datu should know how to resolve problems and is respected by the majority.
(3) The selection of the datu or booy who will lead the place is based on the person’s capacity and capability to dispense justice. No election is conducted. The selection is based on the number of followers.
(4) Leadership position in the Dulangan Manobo tribe may be inherited if the children of chieftains have the capability to resolve problems in the tribe.
(5) A trusted follower can be a datu or leader if he has the capability and power to manage the Manobo tribe.
(6) The Ulu-Ulu or Pig-ulukan Datu, the datu, or the booy may be removed from power if he does not treat well his followers in the community. The followers shall decide the process of removal from power.

(This post is a part of a series on Kitab, the customary law of the Dulangan Manobos. See my introductory post for the list of posts containing all the sections of the law. You may also see the original Filipino version on Scribd.)