64 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap. 



these fifteen sub-tribes represent fifteen original 

 Kayan villages which at some remote period, before 

 the tribe became so widely scattered, may have 

 contained the whole Kayan population. At the 

 present time the people of each sub-tribe occupy 

 several villages, which in most cases, but not in all, 

 are within the basin of one river. 



In spite of the community of tribal sentiment, 

 which leads Kayans always to take the part of 

 Kayans, and prevents the outbreak of any serious 

 quarrels between Kayan villages, there exist no 

 formal bonds between the various sub-tribes and 

 villages. Each village is absolutely independent 

 of all others, save in so far as custom and caution 

 prescribe that, before undertaking any important 

 affair (such as a removal of the village or a 

 warlike expedition), the chief will seek the advice, 

 and, if necessary, the co - operation of the chiefs 

 of neighbouring Kayan villages. The people of 

 neighbouring villages, especially the families of 

 the chiefs, are also bound together by many ties 

 of kinship ; for intermarriage is frequent. 



As was said above, a Kayan village almost 

 invariably consists of several long houses. Each 

 house is ruled by a chief; but one such chief is 

 recognised as the head-chief of the village. 



The minor and purely domestic affairs of each 

 house are settled by the house-chief, but all im- 

 portant matters of general interest are brought 

 before the village-chief. In the former category 

 fall disputes as to ownership of domestic animals 

 and plants, questions of compensation for injury 

 or loss of borrowed boats, nets, or other articles, of 

 marriage and divorce, and minor personal injuries, 

 moral or physical. The matters to be settled by the 

 head-chief sitting in council with the subordinate 

 chiefs are those affecting the whole village, ques- 

 tions of war and peace and of removal, disputes 



