XI 



HANDICRAFTS 215 



centric circles at intervals of about one inch. The 

 peripheral edges are sewn to a slender strip of rattan 

 bent to form a circle, the two ends overlapping. The 

 centre is generally finished with a disc of metal or 

 strong cloth on the outer surface (PI. 45). The hats 

 hung upon the tombs are decorated on the upper 

 surface with bold designs painted in black and red. 



Most of the other tribes make similar hats, and the 

 Malanaus and Land Dayaks are especially skilled 

 in this craft. The former make very large hats of 

 similar shape, the upper surface being of strips of 

 rattan dyed red and black, and woven to form 

 elaborate patterns. 



Besides these sun-hats, the Kayans and Kenyahs 

 and some of the Klemantans weave with fine strips 

 of rattan close-fitting skull-caps and head-bands. 

 The ends of the strips, some three or four inches 

 in length, are sometimes left projecting from the 

 centre or forming a fringe round the lower edge. 



The close-fitting hemispherical war-cap is made 

 of rattans about half an inch thick split in halves. 



The Making of the Blow-pipe 



The blow-pipe or stmtpitan is perhaps the finest 

 product of native Bornean craftmanship. It is made 

 by Kayans, Kenyahs, and Punans, and rarely by 

 Ibans and Klemantans. 



The best sumpitans are made from the hard 

 straight-grained wood of ih^ jagang tree. Having 

 chosen and felled the tree, often one of large size, 

 the craftsman splits from it long pieces about eight 

 feet in length. Such a piece is shaved with the adze 

 until it is roughly cylindrical and three to four inches 

 in diameter (PI. 112). The piece may be carried 

 home to be worked at leisure, or the boring may be 

 done upon the spot. A platform is erected about 

 seven feet above the ground ; and the prepared rod 



