The History of Java, v. 1-2Raffles, Thomas Stamford, Sir
History
The History of Java, v. 1-2
Raffles, Thomas Stamford, Sir
Java (Indonesia) -- History
chiefs, particularly in the western districts, instead of this shade
wear a large hat, in the form of a wash-hand bason reversed, made of
split bambu of various colours, and highly varnished to throw off the
rain. This is fastened by a string under the chin, in the same manner
as the hat of the common people.
The dress of the women of the higher classes does not in fashion differ
essentially from that of the lower orders, but the articles are of
finer texture and better quality, and gold studs and rings, ornamented
with coloured and precious stones, are substituted for those of copper
and brass. Both men and women of condition wear sandals, shoes, or
slippers in the house; and in the European districts, the Regent and
other chiefs, when in attendance on the public officers, on journeys or
otherwise, usually superadd to the native dress tight cloth or nankeen
pantaloons, with boots and spurs, according to the European fashion.
It is difficult to estimate with precision the value of the dress of
the higher orders. That of an ordinary petty chief and his wife costs
about fifty Spanish dollars, or between twelve and thirteen pounds
sterling, including the _siri_ box, which is a necessary appendage. The
_siri_ box of the man is termed _epok_, that of the woman _chepúri_.
Neither men nor women cut their hair, but allow it to grow to its
natural length: in this they differ from the _Maláyus_ and _Búgis_,
who always wear it short. The men, except on particular occasions,
gather it up on the crown of the head, twist it round, and fasten it
by means of a semicircular tortoise-shell comb fixed in front; but
among the higher classes, it is considered a mark of the greatest
respect to let it flow in curls in the presence of a superior. The
princes and chiefs at the native courts usually confine it on the
neck, and allow it to descend down the back in large curls; but in
_Chéribon_ and the _Súnda_ districts, the chiefs, on occasions of
ceremony, let their locks flow in curls and ringlets loose over their
shoulders. The women confine their hair by gathering and twisting it
into one large _glúng_ or knot at the back of the head, in the manner
of performing which there are several modes, distinguished by as many
names. The short down encircling the forehead is sometimes cut or
shaved, to give the brow a better defined appearance, when the hair
is combed back, and on particular occasions the fine hair in the same
place, which is too short to be combed back and gathered in the knot,
is turned in small curls like a fringe. All classes, both of men and
women, apply oils to their hair. The women frequently use scents in
dressing it, and on state days ornament it with a great variety of
flowers, diamond-headed pins, and other jewellery. Both sexes perfume
their persons with different species of fragrant oils, as the _láng'a
chandána_ (sandal-wood oil), _láng'a kanáng'a_, _láng'a gáru_, _láng'a
gandapúra_, and _láng'a jerú_, and adorn the skin with a variety of
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