Wanderings in New South Wales, Batavia, Pedir Coast, Singapore, and China, Vol. 1 (of 2) : $b Being the journal of a naturalist in those countries, during 1832, 1833 and 1834Bennett, George
History
Wanderings in New South Wales, Batavia, Pedir Coast, Singapore, and China, Vol. 1 (of 2) : $b Being the journal of a naturalist in those countries, during 1832, 1833 and 1834
Bennett, George
Asia -- Description and travel; Natural history -- Australia -- New South Wales; New South Wales -- Description and travel
Visit from the young Rajah—Native weapons—Costume—The
“trading minister” and his boy—Inspection of the ship by
the natives—Population of the Pedir district—Rambles on the
coast—King Crabs—Land crabs—Ova of fish—Soldier crabs—Their
food—The Rajah’s house—Cocoa-nut water—Habitations in
the Rajah’s inclosure—The fort—The bazaar—Banks of the
river—Plants—Native fishing—Fruits—The country farther
inland—Vegetation—The Eju Palm—A fine plain.
On the afternoon of the following day we had the honour of a visit
from the young rajah; he came off in one of the large native boats,
seated upon a platform on the stern, in the oriental fashion. Having no
state-boat he came in this, which was merely one of the usual cargo,
or fishing boats, which are large and spacious, with a small deck or
platform at the after-part. Many of the rowers were attired in scarlet
jackets, some having, and others being deficient in sleeves, and all
seemed to have dressed themselves in their best apparel; all wore
elegant krisses, for the whole of the natives, whether of the Malay
or Hindostanee races, wear the Kris or the Klawang, (a kind of short
sword,) and are seldom or never seen without: the manufacture of these
weapons varies both in the blades and handles, and all the varieties
are designated by distinct native names; from the form of the blades
severe wounds must be caused by them, and many of the natives wore scars
obtained by them in their private quarrels. The handles were formed of
whale’s teeth, or buffalo horn; and the sheaths of various beautiful
woods, of which a kind of satin-wood seemed to have the preference; the
wood is said not to be luted together (nor has it the appearance of being
so) in the construction of the sheath, but is hollowed in an ingenious
manner from a solid piece, and is very liable to split with the least
blow; they are tastefully ornamented with a kind of _tatauing_, or
carving, performed with a small knife, into which, after the carving is
completed, some black pigment is rubbed, which gives an increased effect
to the decoration. They place a high value on the krisses and klawangs,
and they are usually ornamented with gold or silver, according to the
rank and wealth of the owner. The cutting portion of the blade is formed
of steel, the remainder of iron; the temper of the weapons is not good,
being extremely brittle.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account