THE MALAY PENINSULA 



end is provided with a small hub of pith. A wad of some kind is necessary, and for this 

 purpose the velvet-like covering found at the base of the midribs of the leaves of some rattans 

 (bamboo) is used. It is a deadly weapon. 



The roof of a Sakai house is supported on nine posts; these are very slight, and some of 

 them are crooked, but one of the number is much stouter than the others, being composed 

 of the trunk of a tree. All the rafters, uprights of the walls, joists, etc., are entirely made of 

 bamboo. Bark and leaves are often used for the partitions. Each hearth is simply a mat of 

 leaves, over which earth is spread. On this logs of wood are burned two logs at a time, 

 arranged so that their ends are nearly touching, and small sticks burn between and under the 

 ends. Where a man supports two or three wives, each has her own separate hearth. 



On two occasions Mr. Hale witnessed a Sakai dance. A man commences the performance 

 by beating a drum. This very primitive (musical ?) instrument is made from a section of a 

 tree trunk, hollowed out by burning. Across one end the skin of some animal, perhaps that 

 of a monkey, is stretched and kept taut by means of cords. This is the only instrument 

 used. After about five mintues of very monotonous drum-beating, to a one-two time tune, 

 another man gets up and performs a dance; or perhaps two men dance. It is an extremely 

 simple performance, consisting of certain gesticulations, the chief of which is a sort of curtsey 

 made once to every one-two beat of the drum. At the same time the man makes grotesque 

 gestures with his hands. After about an hour the men squat about on logs of wood, and 

 commence a dreary chant to the same tune. The song closes with a shout or cry, something 

 like " Heugh! " The song apparently consists of nothing more than a repetition of the names 

 of a number of mountains, rivers, and other natural objects in the Sakai country. Later on 



Photo by Mr. E. J. Boberttm] 



A GROUP OF NEGRITOS. 



