IDEAS OF THE SOUL 45 



by a wild and tragic figure before an intently listen- 

 ing group of squatting men and women illuminated 

 by flickering torchlight, is by no means unimpressive 

 to the European observer. The following lines are 

 a rough literal translation of a fragment of the story 

 which describes the meeting with Ungap of Batang 

 Mijong, a departed soul : — 



Ungap speaks — 



Batang Mijong stands waving his shield. 



The helmsman Saramin with body of brass will carry 

 over Batang Mijong. 



Batang Mijong seeks the place of the Punans. 



Good journey to you, Batang Mijong. 



Batang Mijong^ O, why are you called ? 

 Batang Mijong speaks — 



Why do you question me, why do you stare at me ? 

 Ungap answers — 



Your limbs are shapely, smooth is your skin and slender 

 your body. 



My eyes are dazzled by your bodily perfections. 



Some of the Malanaus, one of the many branches 

 of the Klemantan people, hold peculiar views about 

 the soul. Each man is credited with two souls. 

 After his death one of these goes to some region 

 in the heavens where it becomes a good spirit that 

 assists at the Bayoh ceremonies.^ The other makes 

 a journey to a world of the dead much like Apo 

 Leggan of the Kayans ; and the journey involves 

 the crossing of the river on a single log, the passage 

 of which is disputed by a malign being, who tries 

 to shake the nerve of the ghost by flinging ashes 

 at him as he traverses the bridge. Other Malanaus 

 (of Muka) describe this opposing power as a two- 

 headed dog, Maiwiang by name, whom it is 

 necessary to propitiate with the gift of a valuable 

 bead. For this reason a bead of some value is 

 fastened to the right arm of the corpse before the 

 coffin is closed. It is said of the Malanaus that 



^ See below, vol. ii. p. 130. 



