288 THE ORANG KAYA, OR CHIEF. 



these curious paths ; and when, by chance, he meets 

 a muddy and much worn one, he will soon wish that 

 he were again in the vicinity of one such as we have 

 been describing. Such paths as are most constantly in 

 use, and those which are near the villages, are all put 

 into repair before the feast, ' Makan Taun,' which 

 resembles the harvest-home of the English, and at this 

 necessary preliminary to the festival, all the men of the 

 tribe assist. 



The government of the Hill Dyaks, excepting in the 

 chiefs, which rule over several tribes of the Sakarrans, 

 resembles that of these latter people, and is of the most 

 patriarchal character. The Orang Kaya, or chief, is 

 elected by the people, though amongst tribes, tri- 

 butary to the Malays, the Pafigeran, or Datta, to whom 

 the tribe pays revenue, is always required, or arrogate 

 to himself the right of confirming or rejecting the 

 appointment. In large tribes, two Orang Kayas are 

 frequently found : but the elder one has usually a slight 

 pre-eminence. Others of the principal inhabitants of 

 the village, are called " Panglimas," " Pangarahs," or 

 righting chiefs, and these are raised to their position on 

 account of the courage and ability in war which they 

 are supposed to possess. 



The Orang Kaya does not appear to possess the 

 slightest arbitrary power : the office is not hereditary, 

 and the person filling it, is generally chosen on account 

 of the wisdom and ability he displays in the councils 

 of the tribe, and which appear to fit him for the duties 

 of their representative in all their relations with their 

 Malayan masters, or with the neighbouring villages. 



