208 



reel a winder of rattan cane was used, which was held in place 

 against the butt of the rod with the right hand. No sinker of any 

 kind was used on the line and the brass wire hook w^as baited with a 

 whole fruit of the jamhu ayer, bushes of which grow in abundance 

 along the river banks in this part of Pahang. The line is cast as in 

 fly fishing but owing to the rod only measuring about four feet 

 in length, the casts are necessarily very short. After a cast has 

 been made the line and bait are allowed to travel down sti-eam, the 

 rod point following them the while. When the line has reached the 

 limit of its journey it is withdrawn and the performance repeated. 

 The majority of the fish caught by this method are ikan lampar, 

 which looks something like a cross between a roach and a carp. 

 Two of these which were brought into the village would probably 

 have weighed about a pound and a half each. 



PHYSICAL CHARACTERS AND MEASUREMENTS. 

 In general appearance the Kemaman Jakun rather reminded the 

 writer of the Besisi of Selangor. The facial type was somewhat 

 ruder than that of the Malays and the angles of the lower jaw were 

 usually strongly developed, giving the face rather a square look. 

 In skin colour they were as light or possibly lighter than the 

 surrounding Malay population. The hair was straight or only 

 slightly wavy. The head measurements which are given in the 

 annexed table were taken from four adult males. 



RELIGION, SUPERSTITIONS. Etc. 

 Very little but negative evidence could be obtained with regard 

 to the religion and superstitions of the tribe. Certain spiritualistic 

 ceremonies, such as the Malays term berhantu, are performed in 

 cases of sickness by the medicine man of the tribe. 



PAWANG'S SWITCH. 

 An article used by the Pawang (medicine man) in the herhantu 

 ceremonies was obtained from the Pengghulu, or head man who also 

 acted as pawang of the tribe. The instrument consists of a bunch 

 of rattan sticks, made by bending three lengths of rattan cane 

 double and placing a seventh stick in the middle of the bunch. The 

 bundle is fastened together at the end where the lengths of cane are 

 bent up, with an ornamental binding of split rattan. The instrument 

 is similar to rods used by Malay pawangs in divination, chiefly for 

 tracing thieves or recovering lost property. A very good illustration 

 of three collected by Mr. W. W. Skeat is given in "Man" No. 40 

 (1902) together with an article on their use by Prof. E. B. Tylor. 



