SUMATRA 195 



crops are taken for the most part from the cleared forest 

 land. But a ready source of wealth lies at hand in the 

 shape of pepper, and could the natives but abstain from 

 gambling and cock-fighting, they might amass considerable 

 fortunes. The unmarried women are often nearly covered 

 with necklets, bracelets, and ear-rings of solid silver, their 

 dowry being thus displayed on feast days and great occa- 

 sions at the halai. This building is a characteristic in- 

 stitution among the Lampongers, though halls or meeting- 

 places of a somewhat similar nature are to be found not 

 only in Sumatra, but as far east as New Guinea. It 

 occupies the most central position in the village, and 

 bears evidences of having much labour bestowed upon it. 

 Mr. Forbes thus describes its uses : — " The Balai is in 

 reality the town-hall of the Lamponger. It is the 

 common property of every man, woman, and child in the 

 village. In Mohammedan lands a man's house is sacred ; 

 for a man rarely enters the dwelling of his neighbour, 

 and never without the head of the house ; but the Balai 

 is the assembly-room, the meeting-place for all. Its 

 doors stand ever open. All business is transacted under 

 its roof, all hicharas (discussions) are held there. At 

 whatever hour one enters, its most characteristic occu- 

 pants — lazy, sleeping villagers — are to be seen dotted 

 over its floor. During the day the orang-jaga, or watch- 

 man, who occupies an open guard-room during the night, 

 makes the Balai his watch-tower. All travellers passing 

 through the village are free to its shade and shelter. 

 The orang-hcdagang or itinerant pedlar finds at once a free 

 lodging, a market-place for his goods, and an eager crowd 

 to listen to the news he brings. Here all civic feasts and 

 festive gatherings are held. Here they enjoy the pleasures 

 of the dance for unbroken days and nights. . . . Under 

 its roof their love is consummated in the wedding and 



