THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



came the Malays themselves, driving inland the older population. The peoples inhabiting 

 the Raj of Sarawak are Land Dyas, Sea Dyas, Milanans, Kayans, Muruts, Ukits, Bisayans, 

 Malays, and Chinese. The Land Dyas, of whom there are about forty branches, are a small 

 race, of slender build, with straight black hair, and of the same complexion as Malays. 

 Although all the wild people of Borneo are by Europeans called Dyas, the name belongs 

 properly to one particular class inhabiting parts of the north-west coast and the mountains 

 of the interior. As a generic term the word appears to mean "man." Dyas of pure blood 

 are only to be found in the interior, and there is no doubt that for centuries they have been 

 marrying with Chinese immigrants. Their language differs entirely from that of either the 

 Malays or the Sea Dyas, and is subject to so much variation that tribes in Upper Sarawak 

 often find a difficulty in making themselves understood in the Upper Sadong. The Sea Dyas 

 are of stouter build than the Land Dyas, with well-made limbs, a subdued and calm but 



Photo by Negretti & Zantbru\ 



JAVA WOMEN. 



resolute air, an imposing carriage, walking with a light, graceful step. The men are fine 

 healthy fellows; the women are often ill favoured in personal appearance. The colour of the 

 skin is dark brown, with a strong tinge of yellow. The teeth are stained black and filed to 

 a point. Love of finery is inherent in the young of both, sexes, but the old people often dress 

 very shabbily. The male attire consists of a waist-cloth, a head-dress, and a mat to sit upon; 

 but for full dress a jacket and a shawl are considered necessary. The women usually wear 

 a short petticoat at home and a jacket out of doors. By way of ornament they wear 

 earrings, finger-rings, necklaces, bracelets, ankle-rings, and a curious corsetj which in some 

 cases is simply a series of cane hoops on which a great number of brass rings have been 

 threaded. A few of the hoops are made larger than the rest, so as to hang loose on the hips. 

 The upper hoops are pinned together with brass wire. These brass corsets are rarely taken off. 

 A writer in The Field newspaper, December 6, 1884, describing the operation of removal, 

 says: "The girl I saw had to hang by her hands to a bar of wood, whilst a friend slipped 



