I20 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap. 



A curse is sometimes imposed without formality, 

 and in the heat of the moment, in the face of their 

 enemy. Under these circumstances the curse is 

 usually muttered indistinctly, and seems then to 

 work upon the victim all the more powerfully. The 

 words used are similar to those of the curse written 

 out above. 



A characteristic bit of I ban magic is the follow- 

 ing : — A man, angered by finding that some one has 

 deposited dirt in or about his property or premises, 

 takes a few burning sticks and, thrusting them into 

 the dirt, says, " Now let them suffer the pains of 

 dysentery." 



Therapeutic Magical Procedures 



It was said in Chapter XIV. that the Kayans treat 

 disease by three distinct methods, namely, by soul- 

 catching, by drugs and regimen, and by extraction 

 of the supposed cause of the trouble. This last 

 operation seems to fall under the head of magic and 

 may be described here. It is usually performed by 

 the DayongSy and is applied more particularly in 

 cases in which localised pain is a prominent feature 

 of the disorder. The Dayong comes provided with 

 a short tube, prepared by pushing out the core of 

 a section of the stem of a certain plant of the ginger 

 family. After inquiring of the patient the locality 

 of his pains, he holds up the polished blade of a 

 sword, and, gazing at it as one seeing visions, he 

 sings a long incantation beginning : — 



Bali Dayong usun lasan 



Urip ulun kam kelunan 



Nini ketai natong tawang Leman 



Bali Dayong} 



^ A free translation runs : — 



" O holy Dayong, thou who lovest mankind, 

 Bring back thy servant from Leman, 

 The region between the lands of life and death, 

 O holy Dayong^ 



