A History of Sarawak under Its Two White Rajahs 1839-1908Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
History
A History of Sarawak under Its Two White Rajahs 1839-1908
Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
Charles, Rajah of Sarawak, 1829-1917; James, Rajah of Sarawak, 1803-1868; Sarawak (Malaysia) -- History
The common habitation, as rude as it is enormous, measures 594 ft.
in length, and the front room or street is the entire length of the
building, and 21 feet broad. The back part is divided by mat
partitions into the private apartments of the various families, and
of these there are forty-five separate doors leading from the public
apartment. The widowers and the young unmarried men occupy the
public room, as only those with wives are entitled to the advantage
of a separate room. The floor of the edifice is raised twelve feet
from the ground, and the means of ascent is by the trunk of a tree
with notches cut in it—a most difficult, steep, and awkward ladder.
In front is a terrace fifty feet broad, running partially along the
front of the building, formed like the floors, of split bamboo. This
platform, as well as the front room, besides the regular
inhabitants, is the resort of dogs, birds, monkeys, and fowls, and
presents a glorious scene of confusion and bustle. Here the ordinary
occupations of domestic labour are carried on. There were 200 men,
women, and children counted in the room, and in front, whilst we
were there in the middle of the day; and allowing for those who were
abroad, or then in their own rooms, the whole community cannot be
reckoned at less than 400 souls. The apartment of their chief is
situated nearly in the centre of the building, and is larger than
any other. In front of it nice mats were spread on the occasion of
our visit, whilst over our heads dangled about thirty ghastly
skulls, according to the custom of these people.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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