Anting-Anting Stories: And Other Strange Tales of the Filipinos

Pirates, half naked natives, pearls, man-apes, towering volcanoes about whose summits clouds and unearthly traditions float together, strange animals and birds, and stranger men, pythons, bejuco ropes stained with human blood, feathering palm trees now fanned by soft breezes and now crushed to the ground by tornadoes;--on no mimic stage was ever a more wonderful scene set for such a company of actors. That the truly remarkable stories written by Sargent Kayme do not exaggerate the realities of this strange life can be easily seen by any one who has read the letters from press correspondents, our soldiers, or the more formal books of travel.

A collection of mystery and adventure stories, Anting-anting Stories and Other Strange Tales of the Filipinos, takes the reader into the colorful world of Filipino folk beliefs and superstitions. The word anting-anting's closest English equivalent is talisman, which is an object that gives supernatural abilities and protection to its owner. The anting-anting, however, is mainly for protection and it can be anything from a pendant to a piece of paper.

Although most of the stories are set in some regions in the Philippines, the majority are told from the perspective of non-Filipino characters. Written in 1902, it also is interesting in a historical context to read how Western people viewed the Filipinos.

CONTENTS The Anting-Anting of Captain Von Tollig The Cave in the Side of Coron The Conjure Man of Siargao Mrs. Hannah Smith, Nurse The Fifteenth Wife "Our Lady of Pilar" A Question of Time The Spirit of Mount Apo With What Measure Ye Mete Told at the Club Pearls of Sulu