56 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO ch.p. 



larger boats used for longer journeys, and generally 

 at least one long war-boat, capable of carrying 50 

 to 100 men. Each boat, even one of the largest 

 size, is hollowed from a single log, the freeboard 

 being raised by lashing narrow planks to the edge 

 of the hollowed log. In the middle of a large boat 

 is a section, the freeboard of which is raised still 

 higher, and which is covered by an arched roof of 

 palm leaves. The boat is crossed at intervals of 

 some three feet by seats formed of short planks, each 

 supported at both ends by projections of the main 

 timber, to which they are lashed with rattan. In 

 travelling on the lower reaches of the rivers, the 

 rowers sit two on each bench, side by side and 

 facing the bow. On the upper reaches, where rapids 

 abound, a deck is made by laying split bamboos 

 along the length of the boat upon the benches, 

 and the crew sits upon this deck in paddling, or 

 stands upon it when poling the boat over rapids. 



In addition to the clothes, houses, and boats, 

 and the domestic animals mentioned above, and to 

 the personal ornaments and weapons to be described 

 in later chapters, the material possessions of the 

 Kayans consist chiefly of baskets and mats. 



The baskets are of various shapes and sizes, 

 adapted to a variety of uses. The largest size 

 holds about two bushels of padi, and is chiefly used 

 for transporting grain from the fields to the house 

 (Fig. 4). It is almost cylindrical in shape, but rather 

 wider at the upper end. Four strips of wood run- 

 ning down from near the upper edge project slightly 

 below, forming short legs on which the basket 

 stands. The upper end is closed by a detachable 

 cap, which fits inside the upper lip of the basket. 

 It is provided with a pair of shoulder straps, and a 

 strap which is passed over the crown of the head. 

 These straps are made of a single strip of tough 

 beaten bark. One end of it is attached to the foot of 



