ARBITERS
By: Ansulat Promon

This text defines the role of the most highly respected person in Subanen society: the arbiter, who performs weddings uniting families and conducts cases reuniting parties alienated by a conflict.

1 Persons with the title of arbiter conduct litigation; they discuss good and evil. 2 Thus few hold the title of arbiter, because an arbiter's customs are good, his* morals are god. *3 He knows everything, there is nothing he does not know as far as human customs* are concerned.
4 Now, this is what an arbiter does. 5 If an (unacceptable) event occurs, people file a charge with the arbiter. 6 And then he settles the dispute over the event. 7 For there are events called offenses, and there are events called violations of taboos.
8 Now if (the litigation) is delayed, it is not good. 9 Therefore it is discussed, settled* by the arbiter, so that the person who brought the charge will fell at peace again. 10 And, secondly, so that his adversary will also feel at peace again. 11 And so that he will no longer feel shame, because the case has been conducted.*