262 A DYAK FUNERAL. 



The Pamali Omar, or taboo on the farms, occurs 

 immediately after the whole of the seed is sown : it lasts 

 four days, and during that period, no person of the tribe 

 enters any of the plantations on any account ; a pig and 

 feast are, according to their practice, also necessary. 

 The proper observance of these various forms of Pamali 

 is probably amongst the most ancient of their customs, 

 and was practised by their tribes previously to the intro- 

 duction of the Hindu religion. 



The Land Dyaks have not among their tribes any of 

 the peculiar functionaries described as " Manangs " in 

 the preceding chapters ; at least, none who assume their 

 effeminate character and ridiculous habits; and they 

 consider it a very strange custom in their neighbours. 

 The only person who appears amongst them to be pro- 

 fessionally connected with their religious observances, is 

 the " Balean," who prepares the piles for the burning of 

 the dead, as these Dyaks do not dispose of their dead 

 relations by burial. 



These piles are generally erected at the foot of the hill 

 on which the village is built, and the body is conveyed 

 to the place as soon as it has been prepared. It is borne 

 by the male relations of the deceased, and followed from 

 the brow of the hill, where the female relatives station 

 themselves ; by their cries and lamentations, though 

 these are not of that kind which are intended merely to 

 attract the sympathy of passers-by, but are such as are 

 caused alone by heartfelt and genuine sorrow. The body, 

 being surrounded and covered with wood, is altogether 

 consumed by the flames, the ascent of which, and of the 



