148 The Gardens of the Sun. [ch. vh. 



boats on the river, and a large lighter had been decorated 

 with parti-coloured flags and streamers, and in the centre 

 a raised dais and a canopy overhead of red cloth had been 

 erected for the parties mainly concerned. In the case of 

 the Malays there is the usual religious ceremony, at which 

 the " hadjis " appear and chant the prayers in gorgeous 

 apparel of green Arabic coat and ample turban. There 

 was much firing of cannon throughout the town, the whole 

 event lasting nearly a week, and there was a grand re- 

 ception, the bride and bridegroom being seated in state 

 on a raised dais, and covered with finery and gold orna- 

 ments, mostly borrowed for the occasion. In the interior, 

 where nearly all enjoy "liberty, equality, and fraternity," - 

 in a way one can only dream of in civilised "society," 

 marriage is very simple, and monogamy the rule. The 

 celebration of a marriage consists of a notification of the 

 fact, and it is acknowledged by all in the village, who meet 

 for feasting. A couple of fowls or a goat is killed, and 

 the appearances presented by these after death furnish 

 auguries of good or ill fortune for the newly married 

 pair. 



The native Borneans proper are sparsely scattered over 

 the whole country, and are divided into various tribes, 

 each inhabiting a particular district, and speaking a 

 dialect peculiar to itself. These tribes have been com- 

 pared with the natives of our English counties, but they 

 are much more distinct, each having its own customs, 

 dress, mode of life, weapons, and in many cases a language 

 unknown to the tribes only a few miles distant. The 

 Dyaks, Kayans, Muruts, Kadyans, Dusun, and Lanun, 

 are a few only of these tribes. Another peculiar race are 

 the Badjows, or " Sea Gipsies," common to all the islands 

 of these seas. They are nomadic — water rovers — and 

 engaged in diving for pearls, or pearl shell, fishing, or in 



