Hiller.] ^^2 [Dec. 18, 



antlers of deer and the horns of cattle decorating their houses, testify to 

 an occasional hunting excursion. 



Their methods of cultivation are crude, and often before the planting- 

 season arrives they find their store of rice is ended ; then they must 

 seelt in the jungle for their food ; roots, ferns, fruits and any stray animal 

 or bird that crosses their path fall to the blow -gun or spear and finds the 

 way to their cooking pots. But rice is the all-important food, and to 

 secure a full supply all their best eftbrts are given. Preparatory festi- 

 vals are arranged, field sites are selected and the omen-birds are con- 

 sulted, for all the tribes are more or less influenced 1)j' the omens ; birds, 

 animals and snakes being the chief objects consulted. In fact, 

 scarcely anything of importance is undertaken without first consulting 

 the birds and they abide by their decision no matter what the cost. 

 Half-cleared fields are abandoned, a completed new house is deserted, 

 or a war expedition even is turned back, if some insignificant bird 

 whistles, or a frog is seen at some especial time or place. The subject 

 is intricate, deep and absorbing, and shapes their lives as much as any re- 

 ligion could. But when favorable omens are once secured the clearing of 

 forests goes rapidly forward and the heavy laj^er of ashes obtained bj' 

 firing the brushwood and logs acts as a splendid and ready fertilizer. 

 A new field is cleared each year and the old one left to return to jungle 

 again. The grain is planted amongst the stumps and half-burned logs 

 and under the influence of the warm moist climate soon springs into a 

 rich harvest. Yet it is a long and weary way from the planting to the 

 granary, for the beasts and birds levy their tribute and the insects often 

 destroy the remainder and the poor cultivator enters upon a season of 

 starvation, or of debt to the traders, who import rice from .Java. For- 

 tunately the sago palm grows throughout the island, and though a poor 

 food still helps to sustain life until the return of the planting season. 



One planting season a Kayan chieftain conceived the brilliant idea of 

 planting biscuits. He prepared an exceptional field, secured good 

 omens, strewed Huntly and Palmer's best brand in among the stumps 

 and then marveled that the rare and novel grain did not spring into 

 abundant harvest. 



The festivals preparatory to the harvest and following it are usually 

 the occasions for great revelry. All the neighbors come in their boats 

 for fifty and sixty miles, or even further ; great quantities of rice-spirit 

 (arrack) having been preparing for a month or more. Huge piles of 

 rice are cooked and many pigs are slaughtered. They eat and drink, 

 then have a series of dances, then eat and drink again ; by this time 

 some of the men usually require sleep, so they crawl to one side of the 

 veranda or street, while dancing, drinking and feasting continue. 



I remember three old men dancing together after many others had 

 succumbed ; shaking a brush in front of them with one hand, a naked 

 parang (or sword) in the other, they brushed out the spirits from all the 

 dark corners and hewed and hacked their imaginary forms. I often 



