1 66 MAN: PAST AND PRESENT. [CHAP. 



these arrived in such numbers, that the Negritoes were forced to 

 the highlands. 



The taxes imposed upon the primitive Malay settlers by 

 the Negritoes were levied in kind, and, when payment was 

 refused, they swooped down in a posse, and carried off the head 

 of the defaulter. Since the arrival of the Spaniards terror of 

 the white man has made them take definitely to the mountains, 

 where they appear to be very gradually decreasing 1 ." 



At first sight it may seem unaccountable that a race of such 

 extremely low intellect should be able to assert their supremacy 

 in this way over the intruding Malayans, assumed to be so much 

 their superiors in physical and mental qualities. But it has to be 

 considered that the invasions took place in very remote times, 

 ages before the appearance on the scene of the semi-civilised 

 Muhammadan Malays of history. Whether of Indonesian or 

 of what is called " Malay " stock, the intruders were rude Oceanic 

 peoples, who in the prehistoric period, prior to the spread of 

 civilising Hindu or Moslem influences in Malaysia, had scarcely 

 advanced in general culture much beyond the indigenous Papuan 

 and Negrito populations of that region. Even at present the 

 Gaddanes, Itaves, Igorrotes and others of Luzon 

 hunters! are mere savages, at the head-hunting stage, quite 



as wild as, and perhaps even more ferocious 

 than any of the Aetas. Indeed we are told that in some 

 districts the Negrito and Igorrote tribes keep a regular Debtor 

 and Creditor account of heads. Wherever the vendetta still 

 prevails, all alike live in a chronic state of tribal warfare : 

 periodical head-hunting expeditions are organised by the young 

 men, to present the bride's father with as many grim trophies 

 as possible in proof of their prowess, the victims being usually 

 taken by surprise and stricken down with barbarous weapons, 

 such as a long spear with tridented tips, or darts and arrows 

 carrying at the point two rows of teeth made of flint or sea-shells. 

 To avoid these attacks some, like the Central Sudanese Negroes, 

 live in cabins on high posts or trees 60 to 70 feet from the 

 ground, and defend themselves by showering stones on the 

 marauders. 



1 Op. tit. p. 2 ro. 



