THE PANGAH. 



281 



never built with verandahs, are entered by a trap-door at 

 the bottom, in the flooring. These houses vary in size, 

 according to the wants of the hamlet by which they are 

 built; but are generally much larger than ordinary 

 domiciles. The term by which they are distinguished 



is " Pangah," " Ramin," being the Dyak word for an 

 ordinary house. The Pangah is built by the united 

 efforts of the boys and unmarried men of the tribe, 

 who, after having attained the age of puberty, are 

 obliged to leave the houses of the village ; and do not 

 generally frequent them after they have attained the age 

 of eight or nine years. A large fire-place, of similar 

 construction to those of the ordinary residences, is placed 

 in the centre of this hall, and around its sides are plat- 



