248 THEIR RELIGION AND SUPERSTITIONS. 



in a state of happiness and contentment, which, perhaps, 

 is at this time enjoyed in so high a degree, by no other 

 people upon earth. 



The language used by the tribes of Land Dyaks, 

 though differing very much from that of the Sea tribes, 

 has very great affinity with it ; but like the dialects of 

 the natives of America, all the little tribes differ con- 

 siderably from each other, though it generally happens 

 that a cluster of these, whose villages are not far 

 apart, and the origin of which can generally be traced to 

 one which is the most ancient, and parent of the others, 

 do not differ in dialect so considerably as to prevent oral 

 communication : thus the tribes on the southern branch 

 of the Sarawak river all understand the language of 

 the Suntah and Sempoo people, two nations to which 

 they owe their existence. 



Amongst these people, nothing is more difficult, and 

 requires more study and a better acquaintance with 

 their manners and habits, than to procure anything like 

 accurate information respecting their religious belief 

 and superstitious observances. My residence in the 

 country was too short, and my knowledge of the 

 language too imperfect, to allow me to inquire so 

 much concerning them, and to understand so well as I 

 could have wished, and hope at a future period to be 

 able to do. In their superstitions appear to be strangely 

 blended the observances of the Hindus and the rites 

 of the natives of Eastern Polynesia; the existence of 

 the "taboo" of the latter people proving that the 

 influence of the religion of the Brahmins was never 



