MINDANAO, or MAGINDANAO, a large island
of Asia in the East Indies, and one of the Philippines;
160 miles in length, and 120 in breadth. The in-
terior parts contain several chains of lofty mountains,
between which are extensive plains, where vast herds
of cattle roam at large in the most delicious pastures.
Several deep valleys also intersect, as it were, certain
parts of the country, through which, during the rainy
seasons, vast torrents pour from the mountains, and
force their impetuous way to the sea. The rains and
vapours which lodge in the plains diffuse themselves into
meandering rivulets, and, collecting a variety of small
streams in their course, approach the sea in the form of
considerable rivers.—The sovereign of Magindanao is
a powerful prince, and has several inferior chiefs, who
acknowledge him as their head. Nevertheless, there
are others of them who refuse submission to him, and
are consequently in a continual state of war; so that
peace, at least, does not appear to be one of the blef-
tings of this island. The Spaniards, indeed, assert
their right to the entire dominion of Magindanao;
but it is mere assertion; for though they have forts,
&c. on the island, it is by no means in a state of sub-
jection to their nation.
The air is esteemed salubrious, particularly in the
vicinity of the sea. The heat there is not, in any de-
gree, so intense as might be expected in a country
which is situated on the very verge of the torrid zone.
The prevalence of the easterly winds, in that part of
the coasts which is washed by the Pacific ocean, ren-
ders the air cool and pleasant, the trade wind blowing
incessantly on its shores. It acts, indeed, with so much
power as to sweep the whole breadth of the
island; and though in its passage it loses much of its
strength, it retains a sufficient degree of force to af-
ford refreshing breezes to the inhabitants of the western
shore. The interior parts are much colder, from a
very cloudy atmosphere, which frequently hangs over
the summits of the mountains in thick and humid vap-
pours. The soil, which is very exuberant, is suited
to the cultivation of the whole vegetable tribes. Rice
is produced in the greatest abundance; a pecul, or 133
pounds, may be purchased for a Spanish dollar. Every
part of the island abounds with buffaloes, cows, hogs,
goats, &c. It affords also great variety of fowls, and
a species of duck, whose head is of a fine scarlet colour.
Here is also a small breed of horses, remarkable for
their spirit. The natives, however, principally employ
buffaloes in the various branches of husbandry and agri-
culture.
The city of Magindanao is situated on the south-
east side of the island, has a river capable of admitting
small vessels, and carries on a considerable trade with
Manila, Sooloo, Borneo and the Moluccas. Their
exports are rice, tobacco, bees wax, and spices; in
return for which they receive coarse cloths of Coro-
mandel, China ware, and opium. The village or town
of Samboingan is situated on the banks of a small
rivulet, which empties itself immediately into the sea,
and is agreeably shaded by groves of cocoa trees. The
number of its inhabitants is about 1000, among
which are included the officers, soldiers, and their re-
spective families. In its environs there are several
small look-out houses, erected on posts of twelve feet
high, in all of which a constant guard is kept; so
that it appears as if the Spaniards were in a continual
state of enmity with the natives. The houses are built
of those simple materials which are of very general use
in the eastern seas. They are erected on posts, and
built of bamboo, covered with mats; the lower apart-
ments serve for their hogs, cattle, and poultry, and
the upper ones are occupied by the family.