DYAK FUNERALS. 



the crevices of the roof; and, as they rarely, with 

 the exception of the Sebooyohs, who affect Malayan 

 habits, indulge in the luxury of mosquito curtains, 

 the smoke is rather beneficial than otherwise, as it 

 protects them in some measure from the attacks 

 of these tormenting insects, which, though not nu- 

 merous in the interior, are, with sand-flies, very 

 abundant on the sea-shore. They generally carry 

 with them in their tambuk a flint and steel, for 

 the purpose of making fire ; but should these not be 

 with them, but little difficulty is experienced in ob- 

 taining it from two pieces of bamboo, or by friction of a 

 hard and soft stick, the latter of which soon takes fire. 



The whole of the sea tribes dispose of their dead 

 by burial, which, together with their not abstaining 

 from the flesh of animals, induces me to suppose that 

 the Hindu religion never influenced them, as it evi- 

 dently has the land tribes; or that, if they knew any 

 thing of its institutions, the impressions having been 

 less strong have been by time altogether removed. A 

 person having died, the manang, or doctor, who has 

 been in attendance during the sickness, has also the 

 superintendence of the interment, and the grave being 

 prepared, the body of the deceased, dressed in his finest 

 apparel, is placed in it, together with his sword, 

 spear, gongs, and other property : if the family has 

 been rich, the ornaments of gold and silver are added, 

 and frequently a sum of money, amounting to forty or 

 fifty dollars, in addition, and the earth covers the whole. 



