THE SOCIAL SYSTEM 65 



between houses, trials for murder or serious personal 

 injuries. 



The degree of authority of the chiefs and the 

 nature and degree of the penalties imposed by them 

 are prescribed in a general way by custom, though 

 as regards the former much depends upon the 

 personal qualities of each chief, and as regards 

 the latter much is left to his discretion. The 

 punishments imposed are generally fines, so many 

 tawaks (gongs), parangs (swords) or spears, or other 

 articles of personal property. On the whole the 

 chief plays the part of an arbitrator and mediator, 

 awarding compensation to the injured party, rather 

 than that of a judge. In the case of offences 

 against the whole house, a fine is imposed ; and the 

 articles of the required value are placed under the 

 charge of the chief, who holds them on behalf of the 

 community, and uses them in the making of pay- 

 ments or presents in return for services rendered to 

 the whole community. 



The chief also is responsible for the proper 

 observation of the omens and for the regulation of 

 malan (tabu) affecting the whole house ; and, as 

 we shall see, he takes the leading part in social 

 ceremonies and in most of the religious rites 

 collectively performed by the village. He is re- 

 garded by other chiefs as responsible for the 

 behaviour of his people, and above all, in war he is 

 responsible for both strategy and tactics and the 

 general conduct of operations. 



For the maintenance of his authority and the 

 enforcement of his commands the chief relies upon 

 the force of public opinion, which, so long as he is 

 capable and just, will always support him, and will 

 bring severe moral pressure to bear upon any 

 member of the household who hesitates to submit. 



In return for his labours on behalf of the house- 

 hold or village the Kayan chief gains little or 

 VOL. I F 



