I30 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap.v:, 



clamorously invite the guests to sit down before 

 their chamber. The guests thus become scattered 

 through the house. First they are offered betel 

 nut and sirih leaf smeared with lime to chew, for 

 among the Sea Dayaks this chewing takes the 

 place of the smoking of cigarettes which is common 

 to all the others; and they are then fed and enter- 

 tained individually, or by twos and threes, in various 

 rooms. No pig is killed or rice-spirit offered, though 

 possibly a toasted bat or bit of salted wild pig will 

 be served as a relish. 



At great feasts the Sea Dayaks drink more 

 freely than the other peoples, except the Muruts. 

 Men and women alike drink deeply, and many 

 become intoxicated. The men take pride in drink- 

 ing the largest possible quantity; and when the 

 stomach is filled, will vomit up large quantities, and 

 then at once drink more, the women pressing it 

 upon them. The Dayaks and Muruts alone thus 

 sink in the matter of drink to the level of those 

 highly cultured Europeans among whom a similar 

 habit obtains: while among all the other tribes 

 strong drink is seldom or never abused, but rather 

 is put only to its proper use, the promotion of good 

 fellowship and social gaiety. 



