TREATMENT OF A CAPTURED HEAD. 207 



mortality ; this, the Dyaks have frequently told me, 

 is particularly grateful to their senses, and surpasses 

 the odorous durian, their favourite fruit. On shore 

 and in the village, the head, for months after its arrival, 

 is treated with the greatest consideration, and all the 

 names and terms of endearment of which their 

 language is capable are abundantly lavished on it : 

 the most dainty morsels, culled from their abundant 

 though inelegant repast, is thrust into its mouth, and 

 it is instructed to hate its former friends, and that, 

 having been now adopted into the tribe of its captors, 

 its spirit must be always with them : sirih leaves 

 and betel-nut are given to it, and finally, a cigar is 

 frequently placed between its ghastly and pallid lips. 

 None of this disgusting mockery is performed with 

 the intention of ridicule, but all to propitiate the spirit 

 by kindness, and to procure its good wishes for the 

 tribe, of whom it is now supposed to have become a 

 member. 



The head having been thus cared for, the whole of 

 the tribe partake of the pigs, rice, fish, and other 

 food, which have been provided in the greatest pro- 

 fusion for the joyous occasion. These pigs, taken 

 always from the largest and fattest in the village, have 

 been previously valued by the old men, and their 

 owner is paid for them by rice, which is raised by 

 contributions from the whole tribe, the proprietor of 

 the pig remitting his share of its cost. After having 

 eaten sufficiently, the tobacco is produced, and they 



