i6o PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap. 



from the handle up to a point about five inches 

 from the tip, where the blade attains its maximum 

 width of nearly two inches. At this point the back 

 edge bends sharply forward to meet the cutting 

 edge at the tip. A very peculiar feature of the 

 blade is that it is slightly hollowed on the inner 

 surface {i.e. the thumb side or left side in the case 

 oi xhe: parang of a right-handed man, the right side 

 in case of one made for a left-handed man), and is 

 convex in transverse section to a corresponding 

 degree on the other surface. This peculiar shape 

 of the blade is said to render the parang more 

 efficient in sinking into or through either limbs or 

 wood, and is more easily withdrawn after a successful 

 blow. This weapon is carried in a wooden sheath 

 suspended by a plaited waist-strap, and is the 

 constant companion of every man ; for it is used not 

 only in warfare, but also for a variety of purposes, 

 such as the hewing down of jungle undergrowth, 

 cutting rattans and bamboos, the rough shaping of 

 wooden implements. 



The weapon second in importance is the spear 

 (PI. 92). It consists of a flat steel blade, about one 

 foot in length, of which the widest part (between one 

 and two inches) is about four inches from the tip. 

 The tip and lateral edges of the blade are sharp, and 

 its haft is lashed with strips of rattan to the end of 

 a wooden shaft. The extremity of the haft is bent 

 outwards from the shaft, to prevent its being 

 dragged off from the latter. The shaft is of tough 

 wood and about seven feet in length ; its butt end 

 is usually shod with iron. The spear is used not 

 only for thrusting, but also as a javelin and as a 

 parrying stick for warding off the spears hurled by 

 the foe. It is always carried in the boat when 

 travelling on the river, or in the hand during 

 excursions in the jungle. 



The blow-pipe, which projects a poisoned dart. 



