148 The Gardens of the Sim. [ch. vh. 



boats on the river, and a large lighter had been decorated 

 with parti-coloured flags and streamers, and in the centre 

 a raised dais and a canopy overhead of red cloth had been 

 erected for the parties mainly concerned. In the case of 

 the Malays there is the usual religious ceremony, at which 

 the " hadjis " appear and chant the prayers in gorgeous 

 apparel of green Arabic coat and ample turban. There 

 was much firing of cannon throughout the town, the whole 

 event lasiing nearly a week, and there was a grand re- 

 ception, the bride and bridegroom being seated in state 

 on a raised dais, and covered with finery and gold orna- 

 ments, mostly borrowed for the occasion. In the interior, 

 where nearly all enjoy "liberty, equality, and fraternity," 

 in a way one can only dream of in civilised "society," 

 marriage is very simple, and monogamy the rule. The 

 celebration of a marriage consists of a notification of the 

 fact, and it is acknowledged by all in the village, who meet 

 for feasting. A couple of fowls or a goat is killed, and 

 the appearances presented by these after death furnish 

 auguries of-, good or ill fortune for the newly married 

 pair. 



The native Borneans proper are sparsely scattered over 

 the whole country, and are divided into various tribes, 

 each inhabiting a particular district, and speaking a 

 dialect peculiar to itself. These tribes have been com- 

 pared with the natives of our English counties, but they 

 are much more distinct, each having its own customs, 

 dress, mode of life, weapons, and in many cases a language 

 unknown to the tribes only a few miles distant. The 

 Dyaks, Kayans, Muruts, Kadyans, Dusun, and Lamm, 

 are a few only of these tribes. Another peculiar race are 

 the Badjows, or " Sea Gipsies," common to all the islands 

 of these seas. They are nomadic water rovers and 

 /engaged in diving for pearls, or pearl shell, fishing, or in 



