Life in the forests of the Far East (vol. 1 of 2)St. John, Spenser, Sir
History
Life in the forests of the Far East (vol. 1 of 2)
St. John, Spenser, Sir
Borneo -- Description and travel; Natural history -- Borneo; St. John, Spenser, Sir, 1825-1910 -- Travel -- Borneo
Not many years ago, Rentap, the pirate chief, who formerly resided in
a stronghold on the summit of the Sadok mountain, took a Sakarang lad
prisoner. Although one of his own race, he determined on putting him
to death, remarking--“It has been our custom heretofore to examine the
heart of a pig, but now we will examine a human one.” The unfortunate
boy was dragged about for some time by the hair of his head, and then
put to death and his heart examined.
It is reported that many years ago a Sibuyau chief sacrificed
some prisoners on the graves of two of his sons, who, in the same
expedition, had been killed by his enemies.
To hear the cry of a deer is at all times considered unlucky; and to
prevent the sound reaching their ears during a marriage procession
gongs and drums are loudly beaten. On the way to their farms, should
the unlucky omen be heard, they will return home and do no work for a
day.
It is a very curious custom also, that if two men who have been at
deadly feud, meet in a house, they refuse to cast their eyes upon each
other till a fowl has been killed and the blood sprinkled over them;
and, as already fully described, when two tribes make peace, after
solemn engagements are concluded, a pig is killed, the blood of which
is supposed to cement the bond of friendship.
They believe in a future state--considering that the Simañgat, or
spiritual part of man, lives for ever, that they awake shortly after
death in Sabayan or the future abode, and that there they find those of
their relatives and friends who have departed before them. The Sibuyaus
divide their Sabayan into seven distinct stories, which are occupied by
the souls of the departed according to their rank and position in life.
The really wicked occupy the lowest; but, whether happy or miserable,
they acknowledge ignorance.
The Dayaks are very litigious, and few would have the patience to
investigate one of their cases. The amateur lawyers of a tribe are
acute in inquiry, quick in making retorts, and gifted with wonderful
memories, generally referring to precedents of the customs of their
forefathers in the settlement of fresh cases.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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