Long before the Spaniards came to Baoy (now Mati, Davao Oriental,) where Mayo River made its progress to the sea, there lived men who were blessed by nature and communed with its mysteries. Along this river called Mayo, stood two lush maabong tree grows as tall as a mango tree with lush foliage and white bark. It is used in the treatment of a variety of diseases, from stomach aches, rheumatism to allergies. Even at that time, maabong trees were scarce and were taken care of. On one side of these maabong trees, facing the hilly areas, stoo a limao tree (native pomelo). The leaves of the limao tree, crushed and extracted of its juices, is used by the native women to beautify their hair. A yellow musaa (kerchief) is tied to a branch of the maabong tree facing the coastal areas. This yellow musaa signifies that the coastal region belonged to the Kaagan tribe. (yellow is the color 'of Kaagan royalty.) A red musaa hangs on the other maabong tree. This means that the area from this maabong tree up to the hilly areas belonged to the Mandaya tribe. Under the shade of this maabong tree, the Mandayas enact their Diwata Rituals for healing. The Diwata Ritual is performed in times of grave illness. The hardened resin of the camangyan tree is placed over the live coal embers, filling the air with smoke and the sweet scent of camanyan. The Abyan (spirit medium) then invokes the names of dead forefathers of the sick person. Suddenly, the Abyan seems possessed and acts strangely. In a little while, the Abyan recovers from his trance and with a clarity of vision, he discerns the cause of and the cure for the disease. When it is a case of the sick person being forgetful of his obligations to the dead, then he is required to perform these duties to remember and placate deceased relations who in turn aid him towards recovery.
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